Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Significant efforts to place back in service Rock Island 2524 have taken place in that last 2 weeks. I along with a new member Paul Cronin, have reinstalled the missing carrier iron, secured the steam line and installed piping and  an angle cock missing on the trainline. That just on one end! Paul and I have also found the missing  bent brake rod that connects the brakeshoes on the truck to the brake cylinder. Upon repair that too will be installed!  As previously mentioned by Bob Kutella, Paul has much experience working on rr equipment.   Before retirement he was Road Formen of Engines on part of the Boston and Maine RR. Here then, are two Wednesdays worth of  progress preformed by just 2 people.

Rebuilt carrier iron before installation  parts from two made into one

cutting out old rusty bolts

Gerry using the torch

Paul admiring the results

Steam line installed Next,the bolts must be tightened

Angle cock and pipe to be reconnected

Angle cock now installed

Our ultimate goal would be to place back in service this car for 2013, our 60th anniversary. Who knows with all the special events and guests we might need another 100 seat coach in the train. Maybe.....we even could make more $ with another coach. We will see.... Would any of the Wednesday weekday crew like to help  on the interior!! Its quite warm when the sun is out even in winter.

Project almost complete fabricating airline bracket next on the list

Again.....donations are still greatly needed for the funding of Barn 14 building project.     Roger