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Thursday, May 31. 2012Car Work - May 28-29, 2012We made some good progress with annual maintenance and inspections of our rolling stock.  Caboose String CGW 601, MILW 01984, and UP 3786 arrived on track 41 outside Barn 4 for the work. All are now considered 'passed' and released for operations on our railroad.  What Is That One Flushed with this success, we also got CNW 10304 for some work. The car has seen extensive restoration over many years. But we discovered a fatal flaw in a cracked coupler casting. This has taken some time over a few years and involved finding a new coupler and cooperation from the steam shop to fabricate a new cross key. Victor Humphreys and Dick Cubbage are ready for the 'real work'  The Old Grind And REAL WORK it was. After two tries the new coupler shank was installed, only to find the new cross key was a 'tight fit'. Actually an interference fit as it would not go through the slot. First, Victor tried grinding and after that proved not enough, Jeff Calandine went to the steam shop and used a milling machine to re-size it.  Knuckle Puzzle Dan Fenlaciki is trying mightily to solve a Knuckle Puzzle. The new coupler shank did not have five key parts for the innards. It really is not too apparent on how they might all go together and make the coupler work.  Success Victor Humphreys and Dan Fenlaciki have it all together and the uncoupling lever assembly is assembled to lift the pin and open the knuckle.  Cross Key Meanwhile, Jeff Calandine, a big guy in a small space, made several trips underneath the car wrestling with the cross key. In the end, it has been assembled, the car inspection done, and another caboose 'passed' and ready for service. And one that has not seen any mileage for years, or maybe decades. NEXT??? Thursday, May 31. 2012Wood Shop Update - May 28-29, 2012There was a lot of work done and a lot accomplished in the last week. Stay tuned as I hope to find time to post extensive updates.  Stakes Dan Fenlaciki was at the big bandsaw cutting new stakes for a flatcar project being managed by Mark Secco. I think this is for CGW W 52 which acts as a crane tender car.  Wear Plates Gerry Dettlof and John Faulhaber are installing steel plates to either side of the freight door on Lake Shore Electric 810. Their purpose is to minimize damage, dents, and dings when freight is loaded or unloaded from this traction trailer.  Left Side Gerry continued with installation of the second steel panel to the left of the door.  Herald I was caught in the act of painting the second Great Northern herald on our GN 70104 hopper car.  In the Clouds Frank Kehoe had his head in the clouds as I caught his good side in the viewfinder. L car CRT 1797 was 'modernized' in the 1930's with a drop ceiling. Years of crud, dirt and debris have accumulated, and he was diligently applying the shop vacuum to improve the situation.  On the Roof Tim Peters, meanwhile, is applying the finishing touches to the completed roof of the 1797. A lot of work, a lot of parts and paint, and an uncommon persistence to finish the job. Usually the phrase "Petering out" means you are fading in the mission. Not so with Tim Peters. Sunday, May 27. 2012News and Views - May 25, 26, 2012 Vera Cruz 19 A crew of three were on hand Friday to work on Vera Cruz 19. Mike Alterio, Frank Sirinek, and Mike Stauber were fabricating and fitting new metal at the base of the front dash. This is part of the often invisible work done by Frank and his crew for constant but incremental improvements to this car.  Buffy Also on hand for the above efforts was BUFFY who was acting as sort of a LINE SUPERVISOR or PROJECT MANAGER.  Playground Dave Diamond has been leading a large volunteer crew assembling components and now constructing the playset. Kind of wet in the morning, but I bet a dozen or so were working in the afternoon and it is taking shape.  End Floor One of the steel CTA 4000 L cars has been in the barn 4 shop areas for a number of years. Today, Rich Block came on a visit and was fabricating and cutting metal to allow re-pouring of lightweight concrete MASTIPAVE for the end vestibules.  Priming Victor Humphreys continues his almost one man efforts to restore the B&O wagon top boxcar. Here the first two sections of the south side have had all rust and old paint removed and now have been prime painted. No pic for this news item, but late in the afternoon, Tim Peters, Rich Block, and Bill Wulfert crawled under the CRT 1797 L car. You have seen the work done by Tim and others on the carbody and now on to the underbody, mechanical, and electrical systems. The air compressor was inspected, and they then discovered it could be rotated freely by hand. Not bad for something that has not operated on its own for half a century. This was truly a piece of good news. Sunday, May 27. 2012Steam Department Update 5-26-2012A second hand update this week as I was not there. It sounds like a good day's progress despite (or probably because of .. !!) my absence. Thanks to Phil for the input. Steady progress on 1630: · Bob and Phil worked around the UT measurement points to ensure that those where we could not get a clear signal last time are ready for retesting. We have confirmation that Tom will be back next Saturday to do this; · Bob now has the measurement packages for several of the sheets to allow work to progress on the form 4; · Eric was able to depth check most of the stays on the Fireman's side except for a small number where heavy lifting to remove grates will be required; · Bob needle chipped the wrapper sheet around the turbo generator and removed the last of the insulation in that area; · Phil cleaned off the top to the tender. Next we will need a spell of needle chipping to prepare it for painting. This is not an area that is visible to the onlooker but, being flat, it gathers water and needs to be well primed and painted to avoid rust; · Cameron and Phil started work on preparing the ends of the super heater flues for safe ending. These have to be ground to provide a taper into which the tapered end of the extension tube is fitted and welded. (These are not simply butt welded as it is important that, should the weld fail, the flue would not simply drop into two pieces); · Unfortunately the Sullair developed a problem which prevented sandblasting of the tube section that we need for the safe ending.. In other areas: · Paul continued needle chipping the truck of the Shay; · Ralph machined the last of the bull rings for 428; · A large team worked on the rivet furnace and the fire brick for the base has now been poured in situ. It looks as if this is now getting close to ready once the concrete has dried and will then need to be carefully fired to prevent cracking.
Nigel Sunday, May 27. 2012CGW X 38 Update - May 26, 2012The adventure begins! Baby steps to be sure, but we had two volunteers out on Saturday that eagerly (?) took up the challenge.  Left Wedge Florida resident, Kirk Warner, is needlechipping many old layers of paint off of the left side of the wedge plow. I bet you thought LEFT WEDGE referred to a new football formation.  Left Wing In keeping with the football theme, LEFT WING also is not referring to that sport (or to hockey?). Dick Cubbage is removing years of old paint, here on the left wing of the plow. Saturday, May 26. 2012CGW X 38 Update - May 26, 2012Thanks to the generosity of several contributors, we are able to share these photos of CGW snow plows - THE ORANGE YEARS  CGW X 38. Robert S. Vaughn Photo, Don Vaughn Collection Here is our own X 38 resting in the summer sun at Oelwein, Iowa. The bright orange is pretty much faded, but otherwise the equipment seems in good repair.  CGW 4057. Ted Schnepf Photo, Don Ross Collection According to the photo credit this has been renumbered to CGW 4057 and is shown at Eagle Grove, Iowa in 1978.  CGW X 32. Robert S Vaughn Photo, Don Vaughn Collection What could be more refreshing than this spectacular winter view of the X 32? Especially with the forecasters predicting record 97 F for tomorrow? The plow is resting here between storms at Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1971. The X 32 was an older plow, but here a good idea of what winter snow fighting was all about in ORANGE.
Thursday, May 24. 2012News and Views - May 23, 2012There was a lot of activity at IRM yesterday and work around the campus stole the show.  Leviathan Arrives The Leviathan arrived in the morning and here it rests on its specially constructed trailer, ready to be unloaded.  Tender The tender is transported on its own special truck trailer which includes a 'box' for accessories and special tools.  On the Rails The locomotive has been carefully unloaded using a cable winch to play out wire rope letting it move forward, and with a truck providing the pull from the front end. This can be tricky but was accomplished safely and without incident.  Playground The new Children's Playground area is rapidly taking form and shape. Dave Diamond is leading this project with a lot of volunteer help on all fronts. Here is the first structure assembled and set in place.  Another Jig The shop area was not idle either. Rich Witt is working to construct a special jig to cut parts for the TMS truck rebuilding. There was a crew of three working on Chicago Rapid Transit 1797 and some of the usual suspects toiled on for the Cleveland Transit System 4223 PCC car.  Painting Frank Kehoe snuck up behind me and captured lettering work on our Great Northern 70104 hopper car. If only I had a steady hand and could paint a straight line! |
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Comments
Sun, 07-27-2014 23:15
In looking at the general exterior condition of the Dynamometer Car you would think that it was a total wreck. It is wonderful that it is operational [...]
Fri, 07-25-2014 20:14
I had a blast riding in X-5000 on Sunday during Diesel Days. Brian was great to talk to. It was cool seeing the comntrol board work. I can't wait for [...]
Fri, 07-25-2014 16:47
Shane, Clean rain water is certainly possible. The snag is that you would need a BIG collection and storage system. We are using around 8000 [...]
Fri, 07-25-2014 16:42
John, Yes. Sadly the tender is in poor shape. She should go under cover as part of the new barn project. There will be much discussion around [...]
Thu, 07-24-2014 21:38
Hello Richard In reply to your question concerning RI 2702. The museum is studying the acquisition but no decision has been yet made.
Thu, 07-24-2014 21:29
Hello Chris The 2702 is under study by those interested at Irm. Unfortunately, the possible acquisition boils down to $. First ,who will support [...]
Thu, 07-24-2014 13:01
Hello, is there anyone that I can contact in the Diesel Department about volunteering? I am studying mechanical engineering and I would love to get [...]
Thu, 07-24-2014 00:01
I will commit something to 2702 if I see a specific fund for it. Supposedly the owners made an effort to keep it original, other than removing seats. [...]
Wed, 07-23-2014 19:54
Hi Nigel, I have some suggestions to enhance the experience of steam railroading for museum visitors: 1) In September 2002, I visited on the [...]
Wed, 07-23-2014 00:17
while watching the Diesel Days parade, i noticed a detail on UP 1848 that stood out to me. it was its cab number, i could tell it had a previous [...]
Mon, 07-21-2014 17:48
The hydraulic drawbar on X-5000 works. Its operation was determined Saturday evening and successfully used all day Sunday. The car measured up to a [...]
Sun, 07-20-2014 13:56
2702 would definitely be a project of a massive effort. It has some sort of giant roadside casino sign installed on it. The interior is completely [...]