Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Michael McCraren Reporting: On Saturday, March 28th, Buzz Morisette and Kevin Kriebs assembled the second cabinet for the lantern display.

Buzz working on the cabinet hardware - Photo by Michael McCraren

Kevin and Buzz installing locks - Photo by Michael McCraren

Buzz and Kevin attaching the cabinet to the wall in Exhibit Car 1 - Photo by Michael McCraren

The finished lantern display cases - Photo by Michael McCraren

The opening of the 1st Exhibit Car with the china display is scheduled for May 2. Previews maybe held in April depending on staffing. Work has begun on adding displays to the 2nd Exhibit Car.

Expanded display of Wabash china - Photo by Michael McCraren

The photo history of Union Station is complete - Photo by Michael McCraren

Work has started in Exhibit Car 2 laying out a photo history of Grand Central - Photo by Michael McCraren

On Sunday, March 29th, Michael Baksic and Ray Mormann continued their work in the Birmingham.

Brian LaKemper Reporting: The 556's brakes are completely reassembled and ready for an air test.

On Sunday, March 29th, I cut the final pipe to the correct length, threaded and installed it with the help of Cody Z. from the steam shop. The needed fittings to assemble it all were procured and installed. Thanks to the Steam Department and the Electric Car Department for all their help on this part of the project.

The completed piping - Photo by Brian LaKemper

The brake beam installed under 556 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Another view of the installed brake beam - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Mark Hoffman finished priming the cleaned ceiling panels. Still a lot of work in the interior of the car.

Inside 556 in Fall 2014 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

The same view inside 556 as of March 29th - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Close-up of primed ceiling in 556 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

On Wednesday, April 1st, Brian Patterson and myself applied air to test the brakes. After receiving a replacement gasket from Rod Turner (Thanks Rod!), everything was leak free and the brakes worked as intended. Once the interior is finished, the car will be ready for operation.

Elsewhere on the property: the clutch was removed from the Joy #2, so it can be repaired. The L car team has mounted poles on the 2400s and are rapidly finishing them up. In steam land, work is progressing on machining 428's axle boxes, 1630's winter repairs, and clearing tell-tales on the Shay.