Illinois Railway Museum Blog

in the absence of time and energy right now , here is the report filed by the Passenger Dept to the Board of Directors at the last meeting.

GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS

Coach inspections are completed

The two CRIP units mentioned last month have been finished.

The wheel swap took place on CRIP 2571, with the generous assistance of Rod Turner

The  second unit had been inside for a significant repair of the interior ceiling, and that also was completed.

Both cars were inspected and placed in service Aug 1 weekend, completing the set for Thomas.

All cars for Thomas train were made available for setup during week of Aug 2-6 to allow the sound crew to install their necessary equipment.

A new info sign was installed on John McGloughlin as the first of the Barn 3 enhancements.

The plan is to add signs to all equipment on display.

The RPO car was replaced into Barn 3 on Aug 3, and now is capable of viewing from the public aisle. We plan to offer an interior exhibit, including a video presentation of mail clerks.

The Dover Strait is nearing completion of its painting, and once the underbody is finished, we hope to position it in a way to make it viewable beside the Susan Marie. Not only will the display then be eye level, but will also make it easier to utilize the two operational coaches on that track.

This process will also stimulate the plan to make more interior access within the barn.

The plan to secure car interiors, while still very much planned, has stalled a bit as we have been busy with other display and department needs.

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS

DLW coaches (3)

Changes are progressing , but not yet completed. No change from previous report

           Two cars are in service.

           The third car is progressing in the repair of the vestibule, but is on hold until the car inspections are completed.

Rock Island Coaches (4)

As noted earlier, all four revenue Rock Island coaches are now in service.

CBQ RPO 1923

          With the placement of the car in Barn 3, we are now beginning to have a display for view to our guests. We hope to have enough time to complete it before Thomas, to add to our inside displays.

Jon Habegger has been active both within the car as well as with the RPO exhibit within the special display cars.

ATSF 2544

          The prep work for the second side of seats has continued, also stalled a bit as other projects have made demands on the time of the department.

Dover Strait

          Progress continues piecemeal, interior painting is now essentially complete, and reassembly of the lounge area continues. Hardware installation also continues.  As stated earlier, we hope to make this car part of another interior display for next year.

 B&M 3288/1094

          The restoration continues, with long range movement plans also on hold until now as the two commuter cars under repair have slowed the movement plans.

CNW 9933 RDC

          As a precaution, Mike has begun the process of preemptive overhaul of the brake cylinders of this car. This should provide years of low maintenance operation.

 Following last years success, we hope to further enhance the function with interior  braking ability, providing a more comfortable environment to the conductor during reverse moves.

YARD 5 DISPLAY

Bilevel car doors have been barricaded, and CNW 151 sign was located and hung on the outside for information.

In addition to the cars in revenue service, we have been successful in re-awakening the special exhibit cars. As reported previously, this display re-opened for the July 4th weekend, and we hope to have it open for public display throughout the remainder of the summer. We also continue to add items.

Five exhibits are now in place;

a).  A display of railroad artwork by George C Clark,

b).  a poster and informational display of the WW2 /railroad effort, and Pullman troop sleeper

c).  a program explaining the role of the railroad postal clerk. This display is still in progress, and the plan by the program leaders is to tell the chronological story of the service , and end with a display of the experiences at IRM.  This display will tie in with a more visible display within the RPO car itself in Barn 3 , now that the car is turned around for visibility. We also have the rights to present a "living history" video produced by a team member from Eastern Illinois University.

d).  A display explaining the history of the Fox River Interurban system, with thanks to John Cloos.

e). An enlarged reproduction of the Chicago Railroad station story, as told in an excellent article in a earlier NRHS Bulletin. Rights for reproduction were received from NRHS prior to display, and they were appreciative of the dissemination.

We are installing a "coming attractions" board near the entrance,

   The Freight Dept already has been preparing for a freight traffic display

   A Chicago Railroad Fair exhibit from Ray Bellock

   and are in the early planning for a possible living history of IRM , especially as we approach our 60th anniversary.  Several folks here have expressed interest, and we hope to put them together to create a solid presentation.

With the filling of the first display car, we are already planning to awaken the second car late this season, with the plan to have it functional for next year, including (we hope) a contribution to the celebration of the anniversary of operations at Union coming next July.      

The sleeper display has been open as planned, and interior function has been successful.

We have altered some of the videos to support events at the museum, and then return to the "normal" video for the remainder of the weekends.

Our desire to acquire Olympus has continued. We have accumulated significant funds and hope to file formal acquisition papers soon.  Mike wishes to personally inspect the car before filing, and dept obligations toward Thomas have prevented this until now.

funds have also been accumulated for loading and transport of CBQ 1309 from Denver, awaiting the decision from the general managers regarding its transportation arrangements.