Freight Car Department

Saturday saw some work continuing on several smallish aspects of the restoration project and one much larger effort.

Tracing History

The day started by taping up a sheet of mylar to the south side to trace and document some of the lettering.  Who knows what future generations will want with this equipment?  It is important to document and preserve its history at any stage.

In the Shop

In the woodshop, Buzz Morisette volunteered to help me out with both of us fabricating several new pieces of millwork for the project, and Buzz prime painting some of them.  This view shows the remaining stop jambs needed for the south door, and three pieces of drip caps that Buzz made for his work on Milwaukee Road equipment.  We also made two small stop blocks for window framing and two large nailing timbers for the rear two inside corners of the plow.

Rear Wall

A big thank you to Fred Ash who spent virtually all day on the rear wall, on the business end of a needlechipper.  Almost all of the remaining old paint is gone as we race the calendar to get this wall primed and finish painted.

This project is an interesting study in volunteerism at IRM.  In just four short months of summer work, a new crew has made remarkable progress in preserving and restoring this plow.  They have developed new skills, a strong sense of ownership and pride in their work, and made new and lasting friendships.  It shows what can be done with limited financial resources but with a willing and ample supply of volunteer labor.  Wouldn't you like to part of such an effort?

Come on out and join this TEAM, or if you rather, see me about putting together a few of your friends to start work on your favorite car in our collection.  We have plenty to go around!  And do not let the approaching cold weather stop you.  We plan to work indoors throughout the winter fabricating new doors and windows for the plow, and there are several other varied and diverse projects waiting in line.