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Sunday, March 13. 2011The late GB&W 2407 updateHere is a very late update on the progress on GB&W 2407 from February 12th, I had drafted it before I went on vacation for a couple of weeks and forgot to publish it. We had a pretty large group out Saturday afternoon, including Frank DeVries, Marcus Ruef, Warren Lloyd, Kyle Merkel, Kevin Hennessy, Greg Ceurvorst, Dave Fullarton, Jeron Glander, Jim West, Dan Currens, Rich Schauer, and myself. The main tasks were to get the rest of the water system tight. The previous weekend and during the week we had made a number of repairs, but did not have a chance to water it again. The electrical system, governor, and air compressor were also worked on. Dan Currens started by digging into the electrical system, verifying everything was connected and functioning properly in the cabinet, and with the governor and such. Kyle and Jim worked on refilling the governor and pump with oil. We will have to flush the system again at a later date. There was some minor raccoon damage, but the majority of the electrical system was in pretty good shape.  Kyle oiling an injection pump Meanwhile Dave and Kevin were working on checking all the injection pumps, seeing which ones were free and which were sticking. They found a bunch that were very tight and began working on lubricating and freeing them up. Warren, Kyle and Rich joined in as well. Frank and Marcus made a gasket to replace the leaking one on a cover on the air compressor, and then changed the oil in the compressor. We started watering again to verify the latest repairs and was very surprised at how well it was holding water. We did mark a few more water elbows that we had not marked the last time, along with some additional pipe couplings. Frank noticed a crack on a low pressure cylinder liner that was leaking water. There were a number of other leaks in this area the last time, so we didn't notice it. We are looking into some ways to fix this without changing the liner as it looks like the only damage is this area on the outside of the water jacket.  Marcus and Frank replacing some gaskets Greg joined Marcus and Frank, and they made some more gaskets to replace the leaking ones along with some hoses on a few of the water elbows on the engineers side after draining the water. They made enough for all the ones that were leaking on both sides. Warren replaced two of them on one side of the loco while Marcus and Frank replaced a few on the engineers side. While draining, we noticed that the compressor and water cooled intercooler on the compressor did not have a drain as the pipe that should have gone to the main drain valve was removed and plugged. This was done sometime when it was on the railroad, and is probably why there were water problems on the compressor. We'll have to thoroughly check out the intercooler as well. It was a very productive day and I'd like to thank everyone that helped out to move this project much further along. Be sure to visit the Photo Gallery of the current work going on. Also, donations to the RSD15 are still needed and appreciated. Sunday, March 13. 2011Saturday Track Report
Saturday's plan involved a two pronged attack. One group was to finish walking the mainline, the second team was to load the mainline ties onto a flatcar, so they can be peddled out for install in the coming weeks.
Again, I picked up Marcus at Aurora Transportation Center, and we drove up to Marengo Cafe for breakfast. After Breakfast we met a new volunteer to our group, Patrick Shea. Adam joined us at the caboose on 110 track and the plans were set in motion. Marcus and I walked track. We started with the stretch from East switch to Karstens, so the diesel department could use the east switch as head room for fueling diesels. We then continued out to signal 201 with no significant defects found. The walk continued from East switch to West before we broke for lunch. After lunch we finished off the West end finding one broken bar. The total repairs for this spring, two pull aparts east of 4 mile siding, which is still out of service, One broken bar on the main between 201 and 251. One broken bar at West switch. We intend to have the two broken bars fixed before the start of the season. The pull aparts depend on getting some warm sunny weather to get the rails to expand enough to get new bolts in the rail. Adam and Patrick grabbed the fork lift and started loading bundles of ties onto the TTX flat car that the Camp Grant arrived on. All the other IRM flats are in use, so we pressed this one into service since it was just taking up space in the siding. The diesel department was kind enough to retrieve it and bring it to along barn 9 for us. In short order Adam and Patrick had the flat loaded up and ready for Sunday's distribution party. A break for a brief meeting, and we were back at it putting the train together. Tom joined us for this phase of the job. Tom finished off getting the four part hook put back on the crane. The hook was taken off last year to rig up the clam shell for loading stone. Tom, Marcus, and I, then got the 529 caboose moved over and the loaded flat car onto track 112, while Adam and Patrick loaded a couple more bundles of ties onto tie flats with the tie crane. The tie crane was tied down in yard 10 for the night. Tomorrow's projects, go out and peddle ties where we marked ties for replacement. A few photos have been posted here: http://www.irm.org/gallery/album271 Frank D. Sunday, March 13. 2011Wood Shop Update - March 12, 2011 Windows Greg Ceurvorst, John Faulhaber, and Fred Zimmerman are discussing the days work - what else - more windows!  Villa Falls Greg was doing some finish sanding on the new Villa Falls windows. Earlier, he, Fred and Victor Humphreys moved some structural steel from the Barn 4 floor to inside the B&O boxcar.  The Old Grind Fred and Victor were repairing another step well for the ATSF caboose. Fred is all suited up and the sparks are flying!  New Sill Randy Hicks has just completed some tricky notches for a new poplar window sill for the IT cars undergoing repairs in Barn 4.  Re-assembled Earlier, Randy completed post repairs on the IT 277. There was a lot of woodwork and tricky parts to replace rotted members, under that wide window post steel plate.  Sign of the Times Or rather - sign box of the times. Mike Stauber and Frank Sirinek have removed the front signbox from the Kansas City PCC and they had it in the shop. Disassembly, cleanup and repairs ensued. Done with that stage, it is ready for primer and repainting. Sunday, March 13. 2011Trolley Bus Department Update - 03/13/2011A few years ago, the drag link on Chicago Marmon 9553 failed. At the time we decided to swap the remaining good on from Chicago Marmon 9631 to keep 9553 in service until we could fabricate repairs. During this past week, Richard Schauer and I decided that it was time to get this done. We weren’t sure how long this project would take, but it might be a significant amount of time. So, to prevent the 9553 from blocking service coaches during this period, we began the day by doing a switch move, swapping the Dayton Flyer 925 with the 9553. To accomplish this we had to move the two coaches in front of them, Seattle Twin 633 and Edmonton BBC 181.
We then got to work removing the good drag link from the 9553. After easily removing the front part (under the driver’s seat), the back section (behind the front wheels) gave us real difficulty. With limited space and leverage under the coach, we decided that turning the front wheels a little would give us a better angle at loosening the connection. Since the coach was stationary, turning the wheels puts a big strain on the drag link. Unfortunately it proved a little too much and the good drag link began to fail. To prevent a total failure we immediately stopped and returned to removing the rear section. With the help of Warren Lloyd, we finally accomplished the task.
We brought it over to the Car Shop to remove all the parts and clean it up. Luckily Car Dept. Superintendent Rod Turner was there and took a look at it. He came up with a couple ideas on how it and the second one could be repaired. No time like the present, so we set out to make the repairs on the “good” one. Rod and Diesel Dept. Superintendent Jamie Kolanowski gave us a good deal of their time and expertise, and by the evening the job was done! We’ll need to do some additional work to get the second one fixed, but a job that might have taken a very long time and possible be very costly, is well on its way toward completion.
Another great example of departments working together. Rod and Jamie, we owe you guys big time for this one – THANKS!!!!!
On another front, preliminary work on the west loop project continues. B&G Superintendent Dave Diamond has a quote for paving and DC Line Superintendent Max Tyms has a quote for trolley wire and is working on one for poles. We spent some time discussing the project with Dave and we decided that we will start staking out the road once the weather and ground condition permits. Don’t forget about the Snowflake Special coming up on March 27th. Tickets sales are brisk so don’t be left out! Click on the link from the IRM home page and buy your tickets online now!!! Sunday, March 13. 2011CTS 4223 - March 12, 2011Our Cleveland Transit PCC car came outdoors yesterday in a move from Barn 2 to Barn 8. THANKS to Randy Hicks who shared these images of his. As you can see remarkable progress has been made during recent months to get this car painted in Cleveland colors - for the first time in decades!  Right Front  Left Front  Three Quarter View  Left Rear  Right Rear  Interior As you can see the interior still needs a little work. Thanks again Randy for the eye candy! I wonder where he gets all that energy? |
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Comments
Sun, 05-19-2013 22:13
Hello again. I had an idea that was (somewhat rudely, mid-sentence) dismissed in talking to a museum volunteer a few years back, but here it goes [...]
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.
Wed, 05-15-2013 21:28
I was not around at the time. General discussion suggests that it was "pretty marginal" in a number of areas. Nigel
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"
Fri, 05-10-2013 02:15
No, it will not be necessary to hold any of the work waiting for the plow to be turned, end for end. Weather will be the major factor, but there will [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 19:54
The CGW X-38 plow is really coming to life. Bob Kutella and Vic and crew need to be very proud of your collective efforts. I am very appreciative of [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 15:20
The snowplow looks great! Are you going to apply the door and upper windows befor it is turned to continue work?
Thu, 05-09-2013 09:09
Max, Is there any progress to report yet, in regards to the installation of the poles and overhead wires? Have a good day, sir.
Wed, 05-08-2013 18:40
Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Commonwealth #5 was removed from service. Do you know why?
Tue, 05-07-2013 09:28
Mr. Kolanowski.....I was just wondering if the Spaulding webcam will be up and running soon for us stay-at-homes. Thanks!2FP
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:04
Max, Has work begun yet on the construction phase of erecting the poles and putting up the wire? Wish I could be there to watch it happen.
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!