Illinois Railway Museum Blog

This car was last run about 2004, give or take. It was hoped to be used off property for the movie Flag of Our Fathers!   Well, upon wheel inspection it was found to have a thin wheel thus the Bad Order tag.   We have never fixed the problem by replacing the wheel set! That's the background.                                                                                                                                       

After that the conversation started going around to replace the newer seats with the correct walkover style and make it a real Santa Fe combine again. Work began by removing the more modern seats on one side then assessing the situation.  One thing rolled into another and Mark Hoffman began needlechipping the wall from sill downward to floor. After much sanding, grinding, primering by Mark, I finally topcoated the area with Sherwin-Williams paint that Shelly Van der Schagen had matched from old color samples. The below pictures were taken in May 2009 and are the results of the teams efforts.  In the meantime  Mike Baksic and Ray Moorman found the correct style of seat frame.  12 frames, I believe, have now been stripped and repainted to the matched color. Shelly has done a fine job repainting all the frames. They are now stored in the baggage section for future installation.  In 2010 work continued but this time removing the seats on the opposite side, Mike, Ray and Mike's dad, Wayne, joined in this task.   Mark,again, went through the process of needlechipping etc. The following pictures I took during and after the last paint job. Both walls are now painted.  

Primer Applied

Side wall of ATSF 2544 after being  primed.  The same day it will be painted with 2 coats of paint. All in a days work, May 19,2009.

Just Painted

The first green top coat is still wet. Notice additional plastic to cover area not being painted. It takes more work to mask than to paint.  Again May 19 2009

Finished Job

Interior paint job completed!  All work accomplished in one day in May 2009.  Job well done by Roger! Now on to the next project of repairing the floor.

Now you say 'installation of seat frames can begin'.    NO not yet!!  Lastly,  Shelly, Mike and coach dept member John McKelvey are going to purchase new linoleum to finish and repair the floor.

When that's complete installation of frames will begin. Next...... new wheels.    I hope!    Roger