Illinois Railway Museum Blog

The interior restoration of the Private car, Pawnee, has been greatly helped by the addition of a new volunteer, John Knoll. A retired business executive, John, along with my assistance, has begun the job of installing the various interior parts back into their correct location in the car. This is definitely not an easy job for both of us. Having worked on many restoration projects gives me a general insight on the location of various parts on any project. Whereas this project presents a unique challenge. What makes this job so difficult is, first, the many parts had been removed at least 20 years ago by another party, and second, there is no central listing where they are to be installed.  Yes, some were marked, but many have been found lying on the floor or sofas with no indication of their location or how they interacted in the grand scheme. Between the two of us we have been finding the locations. It sure takes a long time. As I sometimes say it’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.

John has been faithfully working on the car twice sometimes three days a week. He also brings some of the parts home and uses them as "homework assignments." My thanks to John for his perseverance and dedication to the Pawnee.

The two buffers that were shipped to IRM in April, 2020 were installed by Gregg and I. The end buffer is shown here. 

John, in the foreground, with newly installed shelf in the public bathroom.

Howard priming one of the air tanks. 

Howard applying a coat of black paint to the tool box.

Enclosed and insulated five hundred gallon water tank coated with fresh black paint.

Parts installed in the bedroom A.

Photo shows the bed head board of the master bedroom.

The guard for the steam pipes in the public bathroom being painted.

We have finally installed one ceiling fixture. Each bedroom has one so now we have three left to install.

There is still much work to do but we are striving for an operational rollout of the Pawnee sometime in 2021. In the meantime, please come down to visit our restoration shop in barn 10 once we open this upcoming season. Thanks, Roger.

We have completed, in 2020, the installation of all the window frames in the 649. 20 frames have been painted and installed with new window gaskets and new glass window panes. Our Lead restorationist on the project, Steve Dobberfuhl, along with Howard Geier, have done a marvelous job getting this coach back into operational shape. Two items yet to be resolved before it is released for operation is the repair of the trucks and the air conditioning system. That will be the job for 2021.

Howard painting the exterior window frames.

Steve is working in our woodshop manufacturing new white oak trim for the interior framing of each window.

Finished wood trim. Please note the many different angles that had to be handmade and custom fitted.

Here Steve is preparing the exterior surface by cleaning the old residue off each window opening.

South side of the coach now has all frames installed.

Steve is explaining to John Knoll some of the repairs.

Howard smiles after preparing the roof for primer.

Repainting the roof has already begun.

Please consider stopping by and viewing all our progress in the museum's Freight car and Coach barn 10 shop.  Thanks, Roger.