Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Door

We made good progress on the two new doors for Chicago Great Western X 38, all while several other projects proceeded.  Jim Leonard is fitting quarter round molding (we made that also in the shop) for the two panels below the window.  The panels for all doors were completed earlier and sanded for finish.

Panels

After the molding to retain the door panels had been fitted, we took them out and Jim Foraker is applying some polyester glazing compound to smooth out and fill in any divots gained during our handling.

Back to the Door

With panels done and fitted, Jim Leonard has turned to fitting the moldings for the glass window in the top of the door.  This pic is of the second door.

Windows

FINALLY!  A picture caption with 'windows' in it!  Rich Witt is carefully marking each of the eight pieces for the cuts, at this time the table saw was 'raising' the panels for the CGW doors.

Notching

Paul Cronin and Rich are making stop cuts in the four stiles for the Boston & Maine round top windows.  These are not the typical railroad sash we turn out routinely, so some thought is required.  That leaves me out!

Sneak Peek

All of the parts are taking shape for the two round top windows.  Rich has laid them out to check dimensions.  See how they will go together?

Paint Work

Paul Cronin has been cleaning up a very old motor for a new to us old table saw.  Finally, there is primer going on.

Berlin Sander

While we were successful in using the Berlin Sander last Saturday, there were a few tell tales that maybe indicated more fine tuning and adjustments could be made.  Jim F was pretty deep into that and a quick test showed improvements.

Rare Photo

Here are Mike Alterio and Frank Sirinek during a rare working visit to the wood shop.  For now we will keep that work under wraps.

Of course I could not get pics of all the other work.  Paul and Dave Diaz cut a number of thin strips or slats of wood for Michigan Electric 28 - these to be used on the curved end roof bonnet on the front of the car.  Henry Vincent continued his fine work repairing and end door for Chicago Aurora & Elgin 36.  Pete Galayda and John Nelligan made more progress on the seemingly endless task of rebuilding the resistor grid boxes for Charles City Western 300.  And we would be remiss not to thank Bobby Knourek of Woodworkers Tool Works.  In a short time you would not think possible, Bobby made a set of custom ground knives for new door molding for Chicago Rapid Transit 1024.  From the time we sent a sample, to the return of the cutterhead and new knives - LESS THAN ONE WEEK!  And the price was right.  I suppose I sound like his marketing department but you just do not find that level of service anywhere today, let alone on parts for machines a half century old.