Entries by Roger Kramer

Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Sunday, March 3. 2013

Rock Island 2612.....We're workin it Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 20:31

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Rock Island 2612.....We're workin it

Yes, the latest coach, RI 2612, is begining to look like a coach once more!! Matter-of-fact one of the electric car members visited yesterday and even remarked it sure looks a lot better!!!

Notice the curtains in the windows

The interior before we touched it. Just to refresh your memory

This is the interior last week

Here are the amazing results of just a few hours efforts. Warren Newhauser and Paul Cronin are watching the old paint just fall off the celiling

Scaping the peeling white paint

Another Rock Island fan and new volunteer, Brian Patterson, really got into peeling the old carpet off the wall. In many places it peeled off right to the bare metal. Thanks for your help, Brian. See you next time,when it's a little warmer. BTY, as you can see in this picture, Warren was working without his coat. After I removed the gray curtains the sun came thur and warmed the entire car. It was quite comfortable.

Yes, That WAS RED CARPETING

Here we all are working away this last Saturday Feb 2, 2013

All the xmas boxes are gone

Looking better

Hey, Paul, is the floor swept?

A final surveying of our progress

The results of one days efforts

As you can see with just two days of work the car has been transformed into a work of? NO, not yet! Much work to be done. Next, removing the green fabric on the indidvidual seats and scraping more paint; then sweep,sweep and more sweep. Want to help? Please come out on a Saturday and/or Sunday and stop by Barn 3 to say hello. If you can't make it please consider a donation to Rock Island 2612 fund to help pay the track storage fund. Remember, with all our efforts this Will happen....................... More good news is coming.... Roger Kramer

Sunday, March 3. 2013

Steam and their friends Posted by Roger Kramer in General at 13:26

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Steam and their friends

Nigel has been in the UK this last week. Here are a few examples of the events happening in the Steam dept this last Saturday. Often the question is asked "How come it takes so long" Well, I guess its because of the old machinery, I'll show you some pictures. There is a learning curve to these old, steel behemoths from a bygone era! Acquiring the techniques to repair and restore the engines and machinery, is not an easy task. Most if not all the people that you see in these pics, whether from myself or Nigel's pictures are all "new" to the program. The only volunteer that has been w/ the Steam program since the 1970's is the curator, Tom Schneider.

Tom, this is the lesson for the day

He is teaching and passing his knowledge to the younger generation. Here are the teams latest efforts. Remember, SAFTY is rule number One.

Phil painting... He is one of the youngest members

Jeff and Gerry hanging new air line pipe in new shop addition

cleaning backhead parts

more wirewheeling

Dennis, shop welder, finished welding Bull gear for the wheel lathe

Ralph working on the old planner. An important machine to get in operation. To be used for the 428 driving boxes

Rest

Now, as Nigel would say "Another productive day" ................................. An important milestone has been reached for the 1630; Dennis has welded the patch into place............................................ Cheers!!!! Your help is still needed for three projects. Donations are still needed for the Restricted fund Rock Island 938 and Restricted Fund CB&Q 3007 for indoor Barn Storage. Lastly, $ are still needed to continue funding the rebuilding of UP 428. Thank You Roger Kramer

Sunday, February 24. 2013

Great Expectations.......Rock Island ... Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 15:38

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Great Expectations.......Rock Island 2612

interior 2602

Here are some interior pictures of our newest acquisation, Rock Island 2612. O!!, my mistake! This is what it should look like! In actuality this is a pic of the 2602

THIS IS THE 2612 Wow What a difference

The door needs work

Q u e s t i o n ? Do we want this coach to be operational for both the 2013 Thomas Event and the 4-day Labor Day Weekend/Railroad Extravaganza? Some monies will have to be spent inorder to place in service. Is it a good return for the money? Do the accounting.. I think so.

THAT is an after market toilet

Want to help with this project? Show up at barn 3 any Saturday or Sunday and we will get you involved with the 2612!!

cleanup will be at hand

With volunteer help we CAN make this coach presentable to the public for revenue service.

It is a little bit of a mess

Hey Where is the broom!

Notice the "junk" on the floor and walls. This has to removed and cleaned.

Missing buffers

It needs the manufacture and installation of two new buffers

The deck condition

Both entrance decks are in fair shape shape

Henrietta will be removed

Saturday, I reinstalled some seat backs and cushions It looks better already...

Please help... With a donation to Rock Island 2612 fund. We need to pay the transportation costs and then pay for the $6075.00 track charges. Thanks.... Roger Just a reminder..... Please help with a $25 donation to the Barn 14 building fund.

Friday, February 8. 2013

The Ely, The Continuing Story... Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 20:35

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The Ely, The Continuing Story...

The ceiling of the ELY is finally progressing to the point where new ceiling panels are being installed. Buzz and Shelly are accomplishing most of the upgrade. The first picture, just for a review of the progress, shows what the ceiling looked like a couple of weeks ago. Now to the latest efforts. Last Sunday, Shelly painted the roof boards a dark brown color to protect them from the future elements. Next, the reader can see Buzz at work installing the first white panel. It's not easy working over head especially when it's cold outside and in the car. We do have an electric heater but it does not really warm the car.

Repairs being made

Repairs complete in this area

These last few pictures give you an idea how much has been accomplished.

Its finally painted

Shelly did a great job of painting, Buzz

Buzz, please keep holding that panel up there

Panel inserted and fastened to ceiling boards Nice Job

The ELY last ran on a railroad as Nevada Northern 10 Please consider making a donation to the Ely Fund! RELY You are also invited to take a tour of the Ely in Barn 3 this spring and view for yourself the progress.

Please remember the Barn 14 restricted fund!! RBARN14 Roger

Tuesday, February 5. 2013

Woodshop Peoples Posted by Roger Kramer in General at 16:09

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Woodshop Peoples

The meeting for lunch then the days discussions. [aka B.S There is a lot of that!!]

Our gang

What is for lunch?

Did Barb bring lunch for everyone?

Cookies for all

Just a couple of pictures of some of the folks who volunteer Saturdays in the woodshop. What? No coffee? NO...but its nice and warm!! Hey...Nick, you again missed the free cookies!! Please, Come join us There's work for all...

Sunday, February 3. 2013

The wait is almost over... Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 16:44

Comments (8)

The wait is almost over...

The trucks for the Silver Pony, Irm's dome passenger car, are finally assembled!! The next task is the unloading of the dome from the flat cat unto the trucks with two cranes. After a long and ardent process Mike, Ray, and Mark Gellman have completed the assembly work last weekend. For those of you that are keeping "track" of the progress it has been nearly three years, give or take a few months, when the project was started.

Complete reassembly

The crew spent the summer repairing and assembling the all important brake parts. These trucks have a modern disc brake system. The knowledge learned on this job will be useful in future acquisations. And, there will be more!

Its Cold but they are ready

All this reassembly work was done outdoors where the trucks now sit. The coach dept does not have a shop. All the more impressive was the efforts from MIke and his crew.

In the background the final destination

On a sad note... Phil Stepek passed away two weeks ago. He was the one member who was instrumental in working on, and raising funds for the restoration of the Silver Pony and the Silver Beaver. His efforts and kind heartedness will be missed......"We will take care of things for you, Phil" NOW.... The process of unloading will be VERY expensive. Please consider a donation to the SILVER PONY FUND. Please also consider a donation to the Barn 14 building fund. Phil, would have liked that..... Thanks Roger Kramer

Sunday, January 20. 2013

"SMILIN JACK"...Project ... Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 14:03

Comments (2)

"SMILIN JACK"...Project Update...BM 1094, January 2013

"Smilin Jack" Biesterfeld says... "Progress is our......" If you're old enough to remember this saying it's from an advertisement for General Electric in the early television days. It could well pertain to 2012-2013 efforts on the Boston and Maine#1094 wooden cafe-coach.

Jack is not smiling He is busy working in the kitchen

One large oil tank to be removed What a dirty nasty job

Still to be accomplished is the removal of this last large oil tank. That will take some effort.

small oil tank already removed by Mike Ray and Mark

small tank removed The wall stripped and varnished

another view of the restoration progress on womens bathroom wall where small tank was

sign painter at work WOW

Now it official Its a Boston and Maine cafe coach

It just takes small bits of progress like you have seen above to will make this restoration more complete. Jack's next piece of the puzzle is the manufacturing of the two missing semi oval wood washroom window frames. Estimated costs for time and materials is $350.00 Jack is doing a great job with limited funds. Help "Smilin Jack" smile more. Yes, we need to see more of "SMILIN JACK! " Please consider a donation to the BM 1094 restoration fund! A N D while your act it, please send a donation to the Barn 14 Building Fund. Thanks Roger and "Smilin Jack"

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Comments

Thomas Bernacki about CGW X38 Update - May 15, 2013
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.

Nigel Bennett about Steam Department Update 04-27-2013
Wed, 05-15-2013 21:28
I was not around at the time. General discussion suggests that it was "pretty marginal" in a number of areas. Nigel

Wally Unglaub about Signal Department - May 11, 2013
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"

Robert Kutella about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
Fri, 05-10-2013 02:15
No, it will not be necessary to hold any of the work waiting for the plow to be turned, end for end. Weather will be the major factor, but there will [...]

Bob Vaughn about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
Thu, 05-09-2013 19:54
The CGW X-38 plow is really coming to life. Bob Kutella and Vic and crew need to be very proud of your collective efforts. I am very appreciative of [...]

Kirk Warner about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
Thu, 05-09-2013 15:20
The snowplow looks great! Are you going to apply the door and upper windows befor it is turned to continue work?

Wally Unglaub about NEW TROLLEY BUS LOOP
Thu, 05-09-2013 09:09
Max, Is there any progress to report yet, in regards to the installation of the poles and overhead wires? Have a good day, sir.

hyde seybold about Steam Department Update 04-27-2013
Wed, 05-08-2013 18:40
Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Commonwealth #5 was removed from service. Do you know why?

Jim Froida about Photo Gallery stats as of November 24, 2012
Tue, 05-07-2013 09:28
Mr. Kolanowski.....I was just wondering if the Spaulding webcam will be up and running soon for us stay-at-homes. Thanks!2FP

Wally Unglaub about NEW TROLLEY BUS LOOP
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:04
Max, Has work begun yet on the construction phase of erecting the poles and putting up the wire? Wish I could be there to watch it happen.

Wally Unglaub about CGW X38 Update - May 1, 2013
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!

Terry about Steam Department Update 05-04-2013
Sun, 05-05-2013 18:53
Ah yes, I have made such Jibs myself. If it were me, I would add in each corner an angled piece from the base to the Jib to act as sway bracing. [...]