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Friday, July 13. 20122012 Trolley PageantAs has been the custom, IRM presents an Independence Day Celebration every year. Following is a sampling of photos from Don Burkett, who does some really fine work. I do not think these need much captioning, and are in no particular order, except for the Sand Springs 68 which I was operating. A total of 30 cars were in the parade.  Don Burkett Photo  Don Burkett Photo +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Don Burkett Photo  Don Burkett Photo ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Don Burkett Photo  Don Burkett Photo ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Don Burkett Photo  Don Burkett Photo +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Don Burkett Photo  Don Burkett Photo +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This only represents a sample of some of the operating equipment, and you need to appreciate the amount of hard work by the Electric Car Department, led by Rod Turner, to plan, stage, and present this event. Three of the cars pictured had never operated at IRM until less than two weeks previous to the event, can you spot them? Be sure to click on the thumbnail images to see the full views.
Friday, July 13. 2012CGW X 38 Update - July 11, 2012The weather took a turn for the better, only about 88F, although it should be back near 100 F in a week. Still no rain! But the crew came out to WORK.  Bucket Truck We really need to thank Dave Diamond of the Buildings and Grounds Department, who has agreed to loan us this truck. It is more or less of a sport model bucket truck with boom.  In the Bucket Victor Humphreys was the first one in the bucket, getting training, and trying it out. Gerry Dettloff, Dave Rogan, and Jim Leonard watch from a distance. Are they discussing who will be next? Is this on their BUCKET LIST?  At Work Simon Harrison is in the bucket and has made substantial progress on the hard to reach areas of the wedge. There really is no easy way to set up a scaffold and reach those safely. And this way it is a little FUN! At least for the first turn in the bucket.  Last Two Hoses Dave Rogan and Jim Leonard installed the last two replacement hoses for the plow wings. Good job!  Crew Portrait Around mid day you can see six eager workers on the plow and there were at least two more inside the shop. Chipping, cleaning, grinding etc.  New Framing I know this is a lousy picture, but the camera does not like recording dark areas inside with a very bright field through the doorway. Aren't human eyes wonderful? So you will have to take my word for it that the three framing timbers we made last week were installed by both doorways, and bolted in. They fit perfectly the first time.  More Framing In the shop Al Reinschmidt and Dave Rogan have planed more wood, and are cutting six more pieces of framing for the interior of the plow. Good progress throughout the day, still needing some work on four mortices and four tenons before we can do a dry fit of these.
Sunday, July 8. 2012Steam Department Update 07-07-2012Another day with temperatures reaching 100 degrees certainly slowed work in the shop. However, we plugged along with frequent "cooling breaks" and made good progress on the key tasks. Alex and I completed tapering the safe ends for the super heater flues. So we are now ready for the welder to attach these to the flues. Paul cleaned up the pressure testing rig, that we need to test the flues once they have been welded. As shown below it consists of blanking plates that are tightened from each end of a rod so that will tightly seal the ends of the flue. One has the connections to allow water to be pumped in and air allowed out. Once free of air, the flue is pressurized to ensure that the welds attaching the safe ends withstand boiler pressure.
Glenn, Phil and Jeff spent the day refitting the piston rod to the McCabe flanger. The rod is now in place.
This view gives some idea of the power of this machine. The main cylinder shown here is approximately 3 feet in diameter. Operating at 90 psi this creates a force of more than 40 tons on a few square inches of plate in the jaws. In this way it can smoothly bend 3/4 inch steel plate with no apparent effort. The downside is that minor errors in adjustment or operation can cause this force to fall onto the machine itself causing issues such as the broken piston rod. There is some tricky drilling to be done to place a set screw but once that is done, we can hope to refit the piston and get the machine back into operation to start work on the firebox patch. Kevin has been working most of the week on preparing and then priming the tender tank top. This is a massive improvement. Unfortunately I failed to take a "before" picture but this area was in really bad condition, probably due to water lying on the tank top at some stage.
Stu and Bob worked on reassembling the planer. A new bearing has arrived and the shaft has been machined so it is beginning to come together. Nigel Friday, July 6. 2012TMS Project Update - July 6, 2012A lot has happened on this project in just the last two short months. A few of these pics have appeared in the BLOG previously, but some of you may have missed them, so I will review the milestones now.  New Wheelsets The wheelsets returned with new tires mounted upon them in the first week of May. They are beautiful.  Second Truck The second truck was steam cleaned and restored and repainted in our shop space as shown here. Those who have been following this project know that a substantial amount of time and money were expended in what amounted to a total disassembly and rebuild of the thoroughly worn out first truck for the TM 972.  Assembly Area All of the restored parts for the first truck were moved to the east end of Barn 4 where the assembly is being done.  Spring Forward The first assembly steps included installation of these new leaf spring assemblies.  Bolster This past week saw the other set of leaf springs installed and the truck bolster inserted into the frame, along with all the bars, nuts, bolts and other parts in this area. Everything from the spring plank to the side bearings are ready for the next step. But now for the real excitement. DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!! I bet there might be an ad card in the car from Wrigley's but we received pledges for new MATCHING DONATION money this week amounting to several thousand dollars. There is no doubt this money is needed, as there are always new discoveries and items needing repair on any restoration project. SO PLEASE, consider a donation to fund RTMS and each dollar you send will become two for moving the work closer to completion! Friday, July 6. 2012CGW X 38 Update - July 4, 2012This is another project where the hot and hotter weather slowed the pace of outdoor work.  New Framing In the morning John Faulhaber and Victor Humphreys selected three pieces from the new lumber delivered this week. The result is these three pieces custom sized and planed to be used for framing the doorways on either side of the plow body.  Paint Already We ducked out to the plow with care - it was like getting slapped in the face with the heat. Measurements taken, marks made, holes drilled and counterbored. This first one got prime painted the same afternoon by Victor. Friday, July 6. 2012Wood Shop Update - July 4, 2012Yes, there was woodworking done in the shop today, but mostly it provided some cooling relief from the brutally hot 100F PLUS temperatures. So a lot of volunteers and their projects burrowed in and continued working.  Trolley Boards Lorne Tweed continued working on new trolley boards for the Cleveland Transit System 4223 PCC car. Layout work was done carefully and here he is boring the needed holes. It is a good thing this car is single ended and we only need to do this once.  Side Repair Victor Humphreys has been fitting and fabricating new steel plates to repair the rusted out side areas on our B&O wagon top boxcar. If it ever cools off some, we will try to schedule a 'welding party' to place them the needed spots.  Knitting Bill Wulfert, Rich Block, and Frank Sirinek are untangling a bale of virgin wool yarn to be measured and cut for making new waste bundles for Chicago Rapid Transit 1797. As fast as they could make them, Tim Peters was under the car removing old pads from the axle cap bearings and stuffing these in. Hot, uncomfortable, and DIRTY - a perfect July Fourth.  Sign of the Times Randy Hicks is cutting some wood to assemble a frame and hang a new interpretive sign on Lake Shore Electric 150. Efforts like this go unremarked and largely unrewarded, but it goes with the territory. Thanks, Randy.  Base Work Jeron Glander is grinding on a trolley base in the work to restore it for use on the CTA 2000 pair of rapid transit cars. Ray Piesciuk and Richard Schauer supervise from a safe distance in the background. Look for this pair (the cars, not the volunteers) to operate in the Trolley Pageant for the first time at IRM. Wednesday, July 4. 2012GN 70104 Hopper Update - July 4, 2012After many years of work, we are now at the point where we consider this restoration complete. Here is a photo essay of the stunning results.  Victor Humphreys Photo This classic 3/4 view shows everything you need to know.  Don Burkett Photo The right hand side.  Don Burkett Photo The left hand side.  Don Burkett Photo The A end.  Don Burkett Photo The B end. Of course now that it is done we need to pay the bills and assure funding for long term preservation. We do not want to have to consider doing this over in 5 or 10 years. Do you like what you see? If so, please send a small donation (or a larger one) to fund R70104.
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Comments
Sun, 05-19-2013 22:13
Hello again. I had an idea that was (somewhat rudely, mid-sentence) dismissed in talking to a museum volunteer a few years back, but here it goes [...]
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!!!!!!!