In the prior BLOG entry we mentioned that work was continuing on our MILW caboose and the roof might get painted on Wednesday. Yesterday Buzz Morisette was out again and was helped by electric car guys Frank Sirinek and Dan Fenlaciki. More sanding and prep work completed, see the above image from Jamie Kolanowski. Sunday night he worked late and completed priming the body. Now that is FAST WORK!
On one of my favorite projects, Bob Sundelin again volunteered most of his Sunday. Here he is fussing with recalcitrant passenger signal buttons on the south side of the Sand Springs 68. We found a few problem buttons and amazingly located one shorted set of wires. At days end 8 of those 10 buttons had 'rung out' satisfactorily and had been repaired.
But wait, you say. You had been working on that same system on the north side of the car. Sunday saw the installation of the motorman's BUZZER and the battery power so all of that side is DONE, complete with working buttons producing the irritating buzzer BRAPPP. Here they are, most of the trim and woodwork reinstalled.
Jim Windmeier was in the shop sanding and painting his beautiful step box replicas. I bet he could sell those, but with all the hours he and his son have invested in them, I bet no one could afford the price tag.
In the afternoon I noticed that our TM 972 streetcar had been lifted ever higher using a set of air jacks. The car's St Louis EIB truck was rolled clear and a temporary shop truck was being rolled under the east end of the car. Frank Sirinek takes a short sit down break before the shop truck disappears under the car.
Last week saw the Buildings and Grounds Department erect another of the historic signs that IRM has worked to acquire and restore. In this case it was the sign (almost more of a monument) that stood for years in Mc Cook Illinois at the EMD factory.
Comments
Wed, 04-11-2018 11:28
You mention in the header that you would like to have the Electroliner operational by its birthday. Was it?
Sun, 04-08-2018 20:03
As a child, IRM was always my favorite place to visit. Well, other than grandma's house next to the Geneva Sub. It's been many years since I now [...]
Wed, 04-04-2018 16:01
Those temporary walls could be constructed in a way that allows their reuse after the phase is done to close off the new phases.
Tue, 03-27-2018 03:08
Why did the smoke box cover on the shay need to be replace Do?
Mon, 03-26-2018 16:29
It never ceases to amaze me of the diligence and passion of the current mix of volunteers associated with IRM in 2018. Back when I was a active [...]
Mon, 03-26-2018 11:10
Awesome paint job Jamie!!! I never would of thought with the Rock Island history this locomotive in this scheme would of been preserved. Thanks for [...]
Sun, 03-25-2018 23:56
The Hick's blog lists it as Fruit Grower's Express FGEX #55407. Arrived in Union June 2016.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:51
Good job on the diesel update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:45
Good job on the steam update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 00:12
Bill, The 1990 Roster has the PFE #68428; this may be the reefer that we saw moved. It is a rare car and deserves a paint job. Ted Miles, [...]
Fri, 03-16-2018 11:10
It would be rather difficult to operate an 11,000 Volt AC locomotive on our 600 Volt DC wire.
Thu, 03-15-2018 05:57
Good job steam update. Sincerely, Ethan A.