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Saturday, November 26. 2011TMS Project - November 25, 2011I happened to stop by our site in Union and found a lot of activity. As mentioned previously, every day brings changes and progress on this project. Mike Stauber was out early and began doing more cleanup and needlechipping on the disassembled number two truck, and was helped by Frank Sirinek. (It was windy but certainly above normal temps for late November)  Moving Day The sideframes for this truck are in the shop area and previously primed. Here, Mike and Frank are moving them to a different area on the floor.  Like New In short order, Mike and Frank had some finish paint on them, and they looked like new. You might see the new steam cleaner sitting behind then in the shop, brand new, and kept out of the weather. Thursday, November 24. 2011TMS Project - November 23, 2011 Spring Forward As usual, Henry Vincent seems to be the 'go to guy' whenever any job or project needs some help. Here Henry and Frank Sirinek are sitting down on the job, as they apply the first finish paint to the springs and other parts dismantled and cleaned up, then primed, for the second motor truck of 972. You will note it is reddish brown which has been determined the appropriate color for the era of this restoration. Long time visitors to IRM may remember seeing the trucks under the car a dark green, not so this time around. It is really an amazing amount of work going on for this project, almost every day in the shop you see activity and progress. Also yesterday, the new steam cleaner was in action, after the bolsters and other truck parts had been disassembled. And we can confirm that the new tires and old wheelsets all arrived safely at the machine shop. Stay Tuned!!! Thursday, November 24. 2011Wood Shop Update - November 23, 2011To all our faithful readers, members, and friends HAPPY THANKSGIVING  Rails Despite the nearby Holiday on the calendar, there were some diehards working in the shop. Tim Peters is a virtual wood working shop all by himself. I bet this week, the new windows seeing work approach twenty. Here he fitting a rail for assembly into another new window for CRT 1797  The Stack From the other side of the table you can see the ever growing stack of dry fit frames, and sharp eyed viewers will see two larger two lite frames behind him. Yes, Tim still needs to use a crutch.  Morning Work First thing in the morning, Tim glued two more large sash. Roger Kramer is in the background working on passenger car windows.  CCW 300 Pete Galayda is acting like a paint chemist as he prepares to paint more parts for the Charles City Western 300 locomotive. Monday, November 21. 2011TMS Project - November 20, 2011They are on their way!  Steam Cleaning All of the wheelsets had been removed from the trucks as previously reported. Sunday, a new high pressure steam cleaner was christened to remove layers of oil and grease from the wheelsets, and also from the second truck frame, seen to the left.  In They Go Greg Kepka and Dan Fenlaciki roll in the second wheelset, a rental truck for this purpose.  Number Three The big forklift does the heavy lifting, while Greg and Dan walk alongside to make sure it stays put. By the end of the afternoon, all were loaded and secured, the truck rear door buttoned up, ready to drive off today. By now, as I type, they should be at the wheel shop. Of course we still could use some money for this current and active project. There are still some pledged matching funds available, so every dollar you send in to FUND RTMS, will make Santa very happy - each dollar becomes two. Monday, November 21. 2011GN 70104 Update - November 19, 2011Regrettably, the weather is really turning too cold to do much more of the final touches on this car. And we were making such good progress.  Trucks Yet, there we were this weekend. Victor Humphreys adds still more finish paint to the trucks, over the previously cleaned and primed areas. Does this pose look comfortable to you?  A End Lettering was completed for the A end, and is now 100% done on both the A end and the B end.  Left Side And the left side continues to see addition of more data and lettering, one small item at a time. Monday, November 21. 2011News and Views - November 19-20, 2011 Mortising Tim Peters has suffered another bicycle accident, yet he was in the shop on crutches, here balanced before our mortising machine as he works on another 'production' run of many more new windows for the CRT 1797.  Painting This is the only image I managed for the CTS 4223 project, so I will not post a separate entry for just this. Several folks worked lustily this weekend and the result is this collection of many loose parts. These are to be primed and painted off site, many cans of paint and primer set out. Most of these have been dry fitted to the carbody, and once painted, will allow us to mount them to the carbody, making a big impact in the visual 'completeness' of the car.  Yes More Windows Roger Kramer made another of his regular appearances, working in the woodshop. This time continuing to make little pieces of mahogany from big pieces, new windows for the IC heavyweight. Monday, November 21. 2011ME 28 Update - November 20, 2011 Upper Sash The first rebuilt windows for this car have been received after being processed by an outside contractor. Ray Schmid is sanding them down and applying additional coats of polyurethane to protect them. This car has paired sets of regular side windows below a long double width upper sash, seen here. And each window has the regular sash and an additional storm sash outside of that.  Lower Sash The lower sash are also sanded and here you see Ray applying the smooth top coat of polyurethane. See how it shines?  Side Windows Meanwhile out in the carbarn, Norm Krentel is giving the window openings a thorough going over, removing many layers of old paint, and making needed repairs.  End Roof And Jeff Brady is continuing to work on the new end roof. This becomes very complex and more or less requires a SCULPTOR rather than an ordinary guy with some carpenter skills. Jeff is the man for the job. |
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Comments
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!!!!!!!
Sun, 05-05-2013 18:53
Ah yes, I have made such Jibs myself. If it were me, I would add in each corner an angled piece from the base to the Jib to act as sway bracing. [...]