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Thursday, March 13. 2014March 8-9, 2014 - Slightly Warmer WeatherSaturday night, March 8th, Shelly Vanderschaegen captured a night shot of the RDC in fog. Car lights are shining on the RDC and the lights were turned on inside the car for the shot.  RDC night shot from 3/8/14 by Shelly Sunday, March 9th, Michael Baksic began by installing a handle on a stainless steel cabinet door located in the vestibule between the 1st and 2nd Exhibit cars. The door did not have a handle previously and it wasn't known at first that the door was stainless steel. Drilling and setting screws was problematic.  Handle installed on stainless steel cabinet door by Michael Baksic  Sam Polonetzky and Mark Gellman at lunch  Buzz Morisette and Jon Habegger having lunch in the Birmingham  Ray Mormann installing a threshold in the Birmingham Buzz Morisette was back at work in the Ely for the day to check on the light fixture placement. He drilled pilot holes through the roof and then went up top to check his position. One end was lined up perfectly but the other end was off by seven inches.  Buzz drilling a pilot hole through the Ely roof  Buzz on the Ely roof checking his pilot holes  The pilot nail was seven inches off from where the wiring conduit is located on one end of the Ely dining room Speaking of holes, Shelly captured a top side image of a gaping hole in the roof of the Ely near the kitchen area. It goes all the way through.  Hole in Ely roof near the kitchen The barrier built by Jon and Mark was stained by Shelly and was ready for reassembly on Sunday. In the image below, a reflection of Jon is seen in the plexiglass while Sam looks on as Mark taps the frame together. It was a tighter fit after the staining so the grooves to hold the plexiglass were enlarged a bit to accommodate the panes more easily.  After staining the barrier was put back together  Jon Habegger and Mark Gellman work to get the plexiglass into the stained frame While assembly of the barrier was going on, Kevin Kriebs scuffed the white conduit with Scotch-Brite to prepare it for painting next weekend.  Kevin Kriebs scuffing conduit with Scotch-Brite™  Mark captured this image of the Arrival/Departure board  Jon Habegger took this photo of the finished barrier Michael McCraren was working on Saturday and Sunday in the Pacific Peak continuing the long process of taking down the layers of paint that have been applied to the interior of the car over the years. Mark Hoffman was in attendance on Sunday working on the Pullman Car John McGloughlin. Thanks to everyone for their time and efforts! Thursday, March 13. 2014RI 2612 gets drilled and tappedGary and I were out on a Thursday,3-6, instead of the usual Wednesday. It snowed Wednesday. Gee... what else is new! Gary and I spent most of the day drilling and tapping new holes for which the seat frames will again be fastened. V  Gary and I working away  The results of the drill and tape patrol, securing the panels to the wall  Garys hand was getting tired towards the end of the day  The results from Saturday All the seat frames are taped and secure into place Here is something new. We began removing more rusty steel walls on Saturday, March 8 . This time in back of the 3 nickel seats [long bench seats closest to the doors]. We have decided to cut and remove three nickel seat frames, get them repaired and then reinstall them after the walls has been repaired.  The nickel seat frame has been removed to have access to the rusted wall Gary is admiring his work That's where we stand today.  Now we have to remove the old wall. Here we go again  Two seat frames temporarily in position If you would like to help with this steel purchase send your donations to the Rock Island 2612 Project! And remember too that Irm might be building two storage barns!!. Donations to the Barn 13 and 14 storage barns are being accepted. Thanks Roger Kramer Sunday, March 9. 2014RI2612 update 2-26- and 3-1-14Here's one of those rather revealing reports on our RI 2612 project.
 Just primed  Hey Pete and Paul!! Who brought the cookies  Are you ready, Roger?  Hear I am at work drilling  Another angle, Lets see which is my best photographic side?
The results of the days drilling and taping. Screws are showing up like mushrooms in the forest on a spring day The last photo of March 1, shows the three sheets are fit into place and have screws already drilled and taped. The drilling and taping of the rest of screws will complete this part of the job on our next visit March 6th. I hope warmer weather is also going to visit us... and too you the reader wherever you live. Too help this project along Gary and I are asking for a few volunteers to come out and assist us with sandblasting duties. We are in search of people, male or female, to clean metal parts that have been removed from the seat frames. Since they have been removed we should clean and paint them before the reinstallation. If you are interested please meet us in back of barn 3 on any Wednesday or Saturday for further "How to" instructions. If you have another day that you are available please let us know. We will make the appropriate accommodations. It's not hard work but it does take some time. Bring you lunch and something to drink and we can lunch inside or out, weather permitting. Remember, to donate to the BARNS 13 and14 building fund. Yes, we might build 2, Yes 2!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for reading this blog Please share if with your friends. Roger Kramer Tuesday, March 4. 2014March 2nd - Sunny but C-c-coldThe first thing Curator Michael Baksic did was to modify and install a light fixture in the 2nd Exhibit Car. Then while Michael and Kevin Kriebs talked about the painting work, Shelly Vanderschaegen got things ready for Kevin to paint the first coat of tan in the vestibule.  Mike Baksic modifying a light fixture for the 2nd Exhibit Car Kevin first painted the vestibule closet door and then started on the walls and ceiling in the vestibule.  Kevin Kriebs applying tan paint to vestibule door  Kevin began applying the 1st coat of tan paint to the vestibule  Kevin applied tan to the seams and hard to reach spots first Jim Windmeier stopped by to speak with Michael about working with Jon Habegger in the Exhibit Cars. Jon and Shelly then visited with Jim in Barn 4 to discuss displays in the exhibit cars.  Mike Baksic speaking with Jim Windmeier in the 1st Exhibit Car Then Shelly worked on a shadowbox display for the Birmingham while Michael did paperwork. Later Mark Gellman and Michael put a lock on a door in the 2nd Exhibit Car.  Mark Gellman and Michael Baksic installed a lock on a door in the 2nd Exhibit Car Lunch in the Birmingham included Nick Kallas and his friend Marcus Reuf, Mark Gellman, Jon Habegger, Michael McCraren, Kevin Kriebs, Shelly Vanderschaegen and Michael Baksic. Michael McCraren brought homemade rosemary garlic flatbread and biscuits to share at lunch. Conversation at lunch included the Rock Island commuter cars currently located in Texas which will be coming to IRM for spare parts and use on the Terror Train. Nick and Marcus finshed wheel chocks that will be used in Galveston, TX on the Rock cars there.  Nick Kallas admiring new wheel chocks  Easily amused by wood scrap, a crowd gathers around Nick  Nick Kallas and Marcus Ruef admire freshly painted chocks Jon and Shelly had assistance from Tim Peters to cut the plexiglass for the barrier around the Union Station sign in the 1st Exhibit Car. Then Jon and Mark finished putting the barrier together. All that remains is to sand the wood and stain it, then final assembly.  Jon Habegger and Mark Gellman appear to be dancing with plexiglass for the barrier  Mike and Jon hold the plexiglass while Mark secures the frame  The Union Station Arrival and Departure Board near the end of the day Michael McCraren continued his work in the Pacific Peak. Kevin had applied the first coat of tan paint in the vestibule between the exhibit cars by the afternoon having switched from brush work to a roller.  By this time Kevin had nearly finished the 1st coat of tan in the vestibule Jon Habegger captured an image of the exterior of the Exhibit Cars on this cold day.  Outside the Exhibit Cars Sunday, March 2. 2014Steam Department Update 03-01-2014
Oh well, we are into March. You would not have guessed it at Union yesterday as we gingerly picked our way across thickly ice encrusted roads to get between the shop and the amenity block. The day was then somewhat shortened by the development of a steady snow storm as darkness fell. However, there was a reasonable turn out and steady progress continued.
On 1630 it was very much “more of the same”, which is exactly what we need at this point.
Painting continued on the frames and running gear. Christian joined the team for the first time and, by afternoon, was fitted in between the frames and top coating the cylinder casting and adjacent areas. There is a lot of variety in the steam shop. As a new volunteer, you cannot be sure if you will be handling a paint brush or a 20 pound hammer!.
Meanwhile Jerry worked between the frames ahead of the firebox. So most of the lower areas of the locomotive have now received top coat and attention moved to the tender. Jim and Jerry painted most of the tender frames during the day. (The positioning of the bucket is unfortunate. Honest, we are not painting it with driveway sealer!!).
There are a few more weeks of work on the lower areas of locomotive and tender that will not be obvious unless you are standing next to the locomotive. A number of pipes and the under sides of the walkways need to be cleaned, primed and painted. In addition there is a major review and touch up exercise. Whenever you shine lights and look from different angles you spot areas that are not fully covered. So there will be a significant exercise of inspection, with a brush in hand, to touch up these spots and finish the job.
Dennis had welded some areas of the cab last week and identified further areas on the fireman’s side that needed grinding out and clamping so that he could weld. I cleaned these up so they are now ready for welding.
This weekend Dennis was cutting the new mesh sections for the smokebox spark arrestor.
Jason located another steam heat gauge, very similar to the existing one. He was able to exchange the face of this one with the damaged face of the existing gauge so we now have a good looking gauge to fit.
Rick removed the sander discharge pipes as these would be in the way of spraying the cladding sheets of the boiler. He then wire brushed these ready for painting.
On 428:
Ed worked on the sander manifolds. He showed me an interesting feature. The inspection plugs of the sand channels are filled with lead. Apparently this wears better under the force of steam driven sand than does iron or steel. One of the plugs needs a new lead filling.
Dennis and Phil worked on one of the brake rods.
In other areas, a major milestone was reached last week on the planer. I understand that, after much investigation and adjustment it is now effectively operational. Critically, it was adjusted so that it now moves on the cutting stroke at an adjustable speed and then returns for the next cut at a surprising speed for such a large machine. In addition, features that were not previously understood are now seen to operate. For example, a small hydraulic cylinder actually lifts the cutting head at the end of the cutting stroke so that it is positively lifted above the work as the table returns.
All of this is second hand from the team as the machine was not operating this weekend. A number of leaks were identified in operation so a couple of seals will be replaced and some connections remade to bring it to readiness for routine.
So a week of steady progress. Now what we need is the Spring!. Nigel |
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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 [...]