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Sunday, August 29. 2010
UP 3786 Caboose Update - August 28, 2010 Posted by Robert Kutella
in Union Pacific 3786 Steel Caboose at
03:56
Comment (1) UP 3786 Caboose Update - August 28, 2010This was a BIG DEAL, and a problem we have wrestled with over the last six weeks. That is - how to replace the coupler at one end. Oh, the old one was removed easily enough, but getting its replacement in was a bit more involved. The car has an unusual draft gear, some sort of early development with cushioning features. So it had to be compressed in order to make the attachments and complete the installation. After trying unsuccessfully several weeks, and consulting with other members and folks in industry, it was time for the next trial. This whole adventure could not have been done without a lot of interdepartmental cooperation. First, the Internal Combustion boys moved the caboose from its Track 40 resting place to track 41 just east of Barn 4. Next, thanks go to Dave Diamond and Jerry Lynn. Jerry came over with the bobcat and helped lift and insert the replacement coupler into the pocket. Elapsed time maybe 10 minutes - we have done this enough to be good at it. The US army engine was used to pull the caboose clear and MILW 760 came into Track 41. The 760 was to act as an 'anchor' and we would put a big squeeze on the coupler draft gear using another locomotive on the east end. In short order, the caboose and the Army engine came in. We fussed and pushed all to no avail. Once we gave the set a bump and the 760 actually slid a small amount from the impact - but the draft gear also moved a bit, before springing back out. The next part of the adventure was deciding more weight was needed and larger locomotives would provide that. The work site migrated to the West end of Barn 2. (All following photos by James Kolanowski.) SP 1518 and MILW 760 went in first to act as the anchors. Brakes set up and substantial amount of weight there. The caboose next, and then CB&Q 504. So now we had just short of ONE MILLION pounds of locomotives, and and THIRTY FOUR wheels on the rail, ready to make the squeeze. Even at that the 504 slipped a bit before the gear went into place, and the brakes were locked to hold it there. Roger Broms is dropping the anchor bolts on the train line to provide clearance. With everything in alignment a cross key is inserted to attach the coupler shank to the yoke. The key is in and the tab on this end gets three more pieces to prevent it from working loose in service. From the top, the shank is about two inches inward from where we started - you will have to take my word for it. So there you have it. The caboose was brought back to Track 40 and Victor Humphreys and I hung the uncoupling bar, cotter key, cross key anchor dogs, re hung the train line and reconnected and anchored an air line to the conductors platform brake valve. Simple, huh? None of this would have been remotely possible without the outstanding cooperation and participation of Jamie Kolanowski and Roger Broms. They helped complete a project in house at minimum expense - which would have been significant had we hired an outside contractor. That is, if we could find one - several calls were made. So this fine restoration is now released for service and this represents two cabooses completed in the last four days. We did not plan it that way, and have been working on both of them, sometimes things happen right. Friday, August 27. 2010
Equipment scheduled to operate on ... Posted by James Kolanowski
in News and Publicity at
20:17
Comment (1) Equipment scheduled to operate on Labor Day WeekendCelebrate the end of summer by joining us for three days of fun! Pack a picnic, ride the trains, and enjoy! "Music at the Museum"--the West End Jazz Band will entertain on Monday. updated: 8-31-2010 Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Thursday, August 26. 2010
Wood Shop and Other News - August ... Posted by Robert Kutella
in Freight Car Department at
04:09
Comments (0) Wood Shop and Other News - August 25, 2010We will start this entry out with some images from Mike Alterio, who also did the work. These are of our caboose UP 3786 which was restored in recent years by our group of 'regulars' who come out every Wednesday. We are trying to ready the car to run in train service and had three issues needing to be addressed. Brake shoes were incorrectly installed, broken or missing on some wheels. We fixed that last week. In these views you with see a sort of coupler shank carrier supported by swing links to allow for some side to side motion. We have not seen this design on our other cars. On one end it was disabled and broken parts missing in action. Mike was able to make and install a new link in a very short time. Done and ready to go. The third issue is a cracked coupler head which was removed for replacement. The old one is out, and still some 'engineering' to be done on getting the replacemnt one installed. More Mike Alterio help occurred on our ICG caboose which had missing air valves and manifold on one end. Mike fabricated this new, and yesterday Victor Humphreys and Henry Vincent installed it. A perfect fit! Continuing with the caboose theme of this entry, we worked again (for the third week in a row) to get air brakes properly operating on our CGW 601. A tricky problem and we followed some false paths but finally resolved the problem yesterday. The final issue revolved around a defective retainer valve. Seen above complete and ready to go back to Barn 11 after being on Track 41 for the work. Many helped on this project throughout the day. Now complete and in running order, the fourth caboose for the service pool in 2010. And finally, since this a Wood Shop report, at least in name, Henry Vincent arranged for the donation of a tool cabinet to be used in the wood shop, seen here after he picked it up and delivered it. Other wood shop work included assembly for a new window for Sand Springs 68 and some troubleshooting along the way on our new planer. Thursday, August 26. 2010Thomas Report - 2010The following report was submitted by Gerry Dettloff: This is the customary celebratory photo of the Buildings and Grounds crew that we take after the last day of the Thomas Event. Over 500 hundred man-hours were put into working the 5 event days. B&G handles the facilities of the event, such as tents, toilets, tables, trash and related items. left to right top - Jerry Lynn, Carl Illwitzer, John Falhauber, Dave Diamond (in the hat), Mark Osiecki left to right standing - Dave Moncotch, John Fret, Tom Opolony Jr, Tom Opolony Sr, Mr. Topham Hatt, Gerry Dettloff and on the right, our featured guest, Thomas the Tank Engine I would like to add a comment of my own, that these guys are well organized, and do a thankless and often invisible job making things run smoothly and keeping our public face of top caliber at this event (and year around for that matter). Bob Kutella
Thursday, August 19. 2010Wood Shop and Other News - August 18, 2010George Clark is fitting a large wood beam to the new structural Z shape destined to replace corroded members on the LSE 810. Big stuff, and a lot different from puttering around on bookends in your garage. Also in the wood shop, Henry Vincent fitted remaining items for the new planer, including a lockout plug, a ductwork transition, and the flex hose and grounding. Meanwhile, out in the sun, we worked to resolve air brake issues on caboose CGW 601. Fred Zimmerman is monitoring brake cylinder piston travel. Rich Witt was the 'designated driver' and here he is operating the test stand to apply and release the brakes. We ended up changing out both the service and emergency portions of the control valve under the car, and the brakes do apply consistently now. But release is painfully slow, and we have basically run out of ideas where to look for the problem. Any air brake guys out there wanting to pitch in and look this over? Mike Alterio was working to build missing parts for a coupler carrier on caboose UP 3786; Joe Luciani, Lee Regione, and Fred Silverman helped with installing brake shoes (thanks to Jamie Kolanowski for ordering and getting these parts) on four wheels, and we did more reserach on what might be needed to install a new coupler on the west end. |
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Comments
Fri, 01-15-2021 10:20
Hello Jason. Your comments are very much appreciated. Yes, there is much hard work that goes into all our restorations and maintenance here at the [...]
Fri, 01-15-2021 10:13
Hello Jack Yes, It will be one of our most impressive cars that we have at IRM when its completed. Thanks for the pat on the back! Roger.
Thu, 01-14-2021 21:05
Those cars look great so far guys! Man I wish I had the time to volunteer and become a member at IRM that looks like so much fun especially with how [...]
Tue, 01-12-2021 16:30
the pawnee is looking great a pat on the back to all involved
Wed, 01-06-2021 10:14
Good job on coach updates January 5, 2021. Sincerely, Ethan A.
Mon, 01-04-2021 12:31
Hello Jack Happy New Year from IRM. To my knowledge there was no damage from the minor ice storm that we had in late December, 2020. Some [...]
Sun, 01-03-2021 20:12
the museum area had lots of ice storms in area did the museum get a lot of damage
Thu, 12-24-2020 13:27
roger, Thank you to all of the Passenger car department volunteers. The #109 is going to be a great car when all done! Ted miles, [...]
Sun, 12-06-2020 08:46
Hello Ted We havenot finished lettering the 975 but we are well on the way. Look for a few blogs from me now that the wearther is colder and the [...]
Sat, 12-05-2020 18:36
i watched crew replace switch by diesel shop on dec 5. its good to see museum have equipment to do job and save money
Fri, 12-04-2020 14:56
It has been a long time with no news; have you finished lettering the Southern Pacific locomotive? Please post a picture. Ted Miles, IRM Member
Thu, 08-27-2020 09:53
I worked seasonally on the Cadillac & Lake City while the B-71 was in Lake City, MI, beginning in 1970. My primary job was steward/waiter/car cleaner [...]