|
|
Saturday, June 22. 2019Steam Department June Update
Sorry for the extended radio silence: things have been busy in the real world and in the steam shop.
As I’d imagine everyone knows by now, for the first time in many years IRM has two operable steam engines! Shay 5 entered service over Memorial Day weekend.  A beautiful sight to see.  Some machines just look fast. Looks can be deceiving. But there is more good news. It is not enough to preserve the machines; we also have to preserve and teach the skills needed to run them. To that end, I am excited to report that already this year we have qualified two new steam locomotive firemen and one new steam locomotive engineer. Congratulations to Ken, Don, and Eric.  Ken, newly qualified as an engineer.  Don, newly qualified as a Fireman.  and Eric, newly qualified as a Fireman. Congrats all! But today, I am not here to talk to you about locomotives, I am here to talk to you about holes. Pits, to be specific. The IRM steam department has long been hampered by the lack of an inspection pit, which makes a lot of work underneath the locomotive very inconvenient to perform (especially for those of us who are not as skinny as we once were). Last year plans for an inspection pit were drawn up, and work began this summer almost as soon as the Shay and 1630 were out of the shop.  Volunteers began breaking up the asphalt pad inside the shop almost as soon as 1630’s steam test was complete.  The next day’s spoils.  The next Monday, volunteers from the steam and track department began unbolting the rails.  Which were then removed from the building, courtesy of mechanical assistance from the track department.  A bolt can’t be stubborn when its a liquid.  This was the state of the shop as of Memorial Day. This is a once in a lifetime view—you will never see our shop this clean again.  During the week our friends in B and G came through and removed the remaining concrete and pavement. All that is left now is to start digging. Stay tuned! Wednesday, June 5. 2019Repainting the Section Walls on the Mt HarvardAfter the bathroom was repainted my energies turned to repainting the walls between the sections. Here is the photo essay on the project.  Tim Fennel, our newest volunteer, is sanding the dividers in preparation for priming.  He along with Dale Steichen, Bob Olsen, Jessie Felt and Sandi Harreld made this repaint possible.  Sandi here is priming.  More Sanding  Then I decided to strip and small area where the lower berth lights are installed. Now there is more continuity with all areas repainted.  Early May finds Sandi again doing what she does best, painting with primer.  We also removed more old paint on the wall adjoining the womens bathroom. Thanks Roger Tuesday, June 4. 2019Bathroom Ceiling Painted on Mt HarvardWe finally finished the major painting project in the women's bathroom. The ceiling, of course, was the most difficult. Working over head is very time consuming and a bit taxing on one's upper body muscles.  Here I am working away.  Early April and Sandi is touching up a few spots on the wall.  Priming the ceiling.  Two panels are now primed.  The middle panel is scraped and sanded ready for primer.  Primed.  Painted with the top coat. As of this date I have now installed all the lamp shades and all but one of the sinks. Still to be made is the dressing table below the mirrors. I hope to get at that in the middle of July but before we exercise the sleeper on the main for the Septembers railfan weekend. Thanks Roger Monday, June 3. 2019Rock Island 2524 Welding ProjectThe restoration of our last Rock Island coach, 2524, has slowly resumed with new panels of steel begin installed in the vestibule.  Two years ago Paul Cronin removed the old rusted steel stair along with the old damaged panels.  Another look after all the damaged steel was removed by Paul.  December of last year we again began working on this project. Here we have cleaned out the area so that we can evaluate the condition and begin to weld new pieces to the frame.  Jarred, our welder, is considering which new pieces to install and where.  Frame pieces welded into position.  This new piece is where the stairs will be attached.  Working on more steel refit.  Jarred and Gregg pose for the photograph.  New steel welded in place and now primed to prevent rust.  Now the focus is on the other side where stairs will be attached.  Finished product. Many thanks to Jarred and Gregg for their time and expertise! |
Blog AdministrationCalendarQuicksearchSyndicate This Blog |
Comments
Tue, 01-19-2021 20:11
Dear, IRM The N and W 611 is coming to the IRM 2021 NHS. OK IRM.
Fri, 01-15-2021 10:20
Hello Jason. Your comments are very much appreciated. Yes, there is much hard work that goes into all our restorations and maintenance here at the [...]
Fri, 01-15-2021 10:13
Hello Jack Yes, It will be one of our most impressive cars that we have at IRM when its completed. Thanks for the pat on the back! Roger.
Thu, 01-14-2021 21:05
Those cars look great so far guys! Man I wish I had the time to volunteer and become a member at IRM that looks like so much fun especially with how [...]
Tue, 01-12-2021 16:30
the pawnee is looking great a pat on the back to all involved
Wed, 01-06-2021 10:14
Good job on coach updates January 5, 2021. Sincerely, Ethan A.
Mon, 01-04-2021 12:31
Hello Jack Happy New Year from IRM. To my knowledge there was no damage from the minor ice storm that we had in late December, 2020. Some [...]
Sun, 01-03-2021 20:12
the museum area had lots of ice storms in area did the museum get a lot of damage
Thu, 12-24-2020 13:27
roger, Thank you to all of the Passenger car department volunteers. The #109 is going to be a great car when all done! Ted miles, [...]
Sun, 12-06-2020 08:46
Hello Ted We havenot finished lettering the 975 but we are well on the way. Look for a few blogs from me now that the wearther is colder and the [...]
Sat, 12-05-2020 18:36
i watched crew replace switch by diesel shop on dec 5. its good to see museum have equipment to do job and save money
Fri, 12-04-2020 14:56
It has been a long time with no news; have you finished lettering the Southern Pacific locomotive? Please post a picture. Ted Miles, IRM Member