Passenger Car Department

This time we will look at DL&W 556, one of three open platform Lackawanna coaches we have.  There is not much illumination in these so pardon the pics - and thank goodness for digital images where some enhancements are easily made.  The cars were built by Pullman in 1914, seat 78, and are classic railroad roof steel coaches.  They were acquired by IRM in 1972, and have long served as the backbone of our our weekend passenger service.  But they are getting timeworn and long overdue for repairs and rehab.

DLW 556

This car has been out of service for some time.  Mike Baksic and Ray Moorman have replaced steel and decking on one of the platforms, while others led by Mark Hoffman are concentrating on the interior.

DLW 556

The seats and light globes have been removed and a LOT of peeling paint is being painstakingly cleaned from the sidewalls and ceiling.  The schedule hopes for the car to be repainted and ready to go back into service in 2013, and that may be optimistic as more issues are uncovered.  But with more volunteer help it could easily meet or exceed that date.

The other two cars in the set are numbered 561 and 567.

The Passenger Car Department is alive and well at IRM with a lot of projects ongoing and a lot of work being done.  Hope you enjoyed these short looks behind the scenes.

We are again fortunate to have some images from Roger Kramer, this time to give you a peek inside the DOVER STRAIT.  To start out, here is repeat of a roster shot photo taken with the car newly painted and lettered.

Roster Shot

The DOVER STRAIT is heavyweight passenger car riding on six wheel trucks manufactured by Pullman in 1924 to a six double bedroom-buffet-lounge floor plan.  The above picture was taken shortly after completion of its exterior restoration and lettering.  For those not familiar with the work, go to the category listing on the right hand side of these BLOGS and click on the small plus sign in a box to expand the Passenger Car Department CATEGORY, then click on the DOVER category to see the entire log of entries for this car.

Lounge Photo

As you enter the car you are greeted by a framed NYC poster.  Bob Hunter is the Project Manager and he has been assisted by Gene Mackowiak.  Other assistance has come for special tasks from the Freight Car Department, the Steam Department (yes), and the Wednesday Special Projects Group.  After largely completing the exterior work, efforts have been focused on the interior, and it is getting close to completion.

Lounge

The car will be stunning as can be seen from this recent photo of the lounge - repainted, trim installed, and lighting working.  Of course, you will expect a request for donations. In this case funds are needed to acquire and install the carpeting, table lamps, furniture, other furnishings, and finishing touches.  The fund is RDOVER.

Here is another in our ongoing series of views of work being done in the Passenger Car Department.  None of these pictures or reports would be possible without member photos, and the efforts to take them.  In this case we need to thank Roger Kramer.  This installment is focused on Boston & Maine 1094, a wood bodied car from the classic era, built by Pullman in 1906.

This another case where volunteer efforts are significant, ongoing, and are probably almost invisible or unknown to many of the readers here.

Dining Area

Volunteer Jack Biesterfeld has worked for several years tackling one area at a time.  This is the dining area, where the interior finishes have been carefully restored and the section furnished with tables and chairs, complete with place settings and plastic 'food'.

Dining Area

More of this restored area.  Lighting has been provided and the scene is visible from the car exterior through the windows, delighting visitors as they walk through Barn 3.

Light Fixture

This elaborate and ornate light fixture is original to the car.

Hallway

The hallway along the kitchen area is missing a window.  This is one of the projects where two new frames were completed by the wood shop over the last cold weather season.

Seating

There is a seating area next to the dining area, and this has seen a lot of work by Jack.  Ted Anderson has also done work here on the seats and frames, and has led the way both to preserve this car and acquire it in the first place.

Right now the car is inside Barn 3 but it is basically 'poaching' indoor space at the discretion of the Department Manager.  I cannot argue with that decision for this fragile wood bodied classic.  But in effect it displaces another passenger car which has paid space.  Donations to fund R1094 will help raise the $15,000 needed to preserve this fine car to assure indoor Barn Space, and to permanently protect the significant restoration efforts.

Here is an image captured by Roger Kramer, taken on a near perfect day for photos, good sun, great sky.  This was certainly not the case yesterday with driving wind, sleet and SNOW!!

Silver Pony

Phil Stepek is leading this project, one that has seen a dome car added to our collection.  A dome car has been a decades old goal for IRM, and one that many had given up hope of achieving.  In the above image you can see where replacement of window glass is in the the works.  Funds are needed to replace broken or missing windows and this is not an inexpensive proposition, aside from the actual work involved.  And the car is not yet in place on its trucks, moving and other acquisition costs not yet satisfied.  So please help with your donations, large or small.

Roger Kramer has managed to get some interesting images of several projects ongoing with our passenger cars.  These are seldom seen or reported on so I will start out with Illinois Central 3345.  This is a smooth side car built by ACF in 1948, configured as a  GRILL - COACH  design, also sometimes known as a lunch counter car.  IRM acquired the car from a location in Delavan WI when owned by the Chamber of Commerce and their plans did not work out.

Prep

The exterior gets prepped by removing old paint, to get ready for priming.  Andy Townsend, Roger Kramer, and Mike Steigerwald are working away on this, a section at a time.

Primed

The same area as above, but with fresh primer applied.  This area is being prepared to install the last large side window in the car.

Interior

Here is the interior, and this presents a sobering image.  A lot can be done with some more volunteer help, or more funding.  Clean it up, scrape it down, and repaint.  It would do wonders!

Moving on to one of our heavyweight cars, let's take a look at the JOHN MC LOUGHLIN.  This is a classic Pullman 8-1-2 sleeping car built in 1929 for the original Empire Builder on the Great Northern!

Womens Room

Roger Kramer and Mark Hoffman have been working on this car, exterior and interior.  Newly restored shelves are installed in the Womens Lavatory.

Hooks

On the other side of this same room are coat hooks, reinstalled after cleanup.  I suppose this design allowed the ladies to hang their wraps and block spectator views through the window from outside!  Below the lamp is the frame for a now missing mirror.

Mens Room

Meanwhile, in the Mens Lavatory we see the arrangement of wash basin and a small dental sink.  Was that provided to brush your teeth, or to clean 'storebought' dentures?