Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Wagon Top

We have mentioned that the next Freight Car Project is to be our B&O wagon top boxcar.  Here is a cloudy day image of the car from the "B" end.

A End

It is hard to see with most of the car color closely resembling rust and dirt.  But here on the A end, Lorne Tweed and Victor Humphreys have been cleaning off the old crud, and some of it is really stubborn.  Look closely and you with spy some new primer on those areas.

Q Caboose

Our CB&Q steel caboose has passed its annual inspection, but not without a lot of re-piping and repair of the train line and branch piping.  This car has been previously restored, but years outside in the weather have taken a toll.  We need to thank John McKelvey for providing a leadership role and the labor to re-paint the red banding on the sides, and on one end.  John has the new paint in hand, and Kirk Warner was visiting from Florida when he got 'drafted' into the project.

Masking and Some Red Paint

The caboose was moved inside Barn 4 due to uncertain weather and the ability not to have to work on this in the sun and blistering heat - nearly 100 F.  John is at the far end, the first coat of new red is going on.

Done

Saving the best to last, the new red lettering bands are complete and the caboose is leaving the Barn pulled by U S Army 8537.  Other areas of the paint need attention but this is a big improvement and shows what can be done in a group effort.