Entries by Roger Kramer

Here is the current update on the Milwaukee 649.  Steve has removed many of the window frames on the south side.   In doing so he has also cleaned the car body frame, primed and  top coated each opening.  He also manufactured eleven new white oak lower wood frames in the museums wood shop.  They were made because many of the old pieces were badly rotted and discolored.  He then took them home sanded and applied clear spar urethane to them.    The next two weeks were devoted to gluing them in the interior  of each affected window.   That phase of work is now completed and we are waiting for new glass for the window frames.  New glass will be purchased in the next budgeting period of 2019.   Then the process of reinserting new gasket  material into each frame can begin.         Thanks  Roger

The picture views speak for themselves and are very impressive.  Howard, Mary and I finished spray painting one side of the Milwaukee coach in early September.  Steve, unfortunately, was not at the museum this day, but since then has been working on the exterior windows.   That project along with the repair of interior fluorescent  lightening will be covered in the next blog report.   Meanwhile with all these changes the new look of the 649 gives you an idea what the coach will eventual look like when completed next year. If you want to help us preparing this coach for next season we are here every Wednesday and Saturday.   Why not come out and join us.    Thanks   Roger  

Here are more developments on the restoration of the Mt. Harvard!  Our small band of volunteers continues to remove old paint in preparation of more painting. Every week brings on line new painting projects and new results. The project has received much help from many people including these two volunteers Dave Cook and Jerry McGonagall.   Future posts concerning the Mt Harvard will show more interior painting progress.   Thanks     Roger

Here the latest news on the Green Bay and Western 109.   Jack Biesterfeld  has been very committed working on the old wooden coach.     Along with Bob Olsen they  have been slowly bringing back the luster of this coach.   Right how they have begun sanding and painting the ceiling.  There are many worthy projects for donations and this one is one of them.   Yet to consider is the exterior restoration and purchase of the correct seat frames and cushions.   We might have to consider manufacturing them.   We have seats from an old Lackawanna electric trailer but they are by no means correct.  Estimate costs for new frames are $17,000 to $22,000.  Please consider adding this coach to your donation list.                                         Thanks       Roger               

Rich Thomas and his small team have been continuing the restoration of the UP 428 cab. This time his efforts are concentrating on the installation of the interior wooden side panels.  During that same time the two metal floor replacements for the cab were finished and made ready for installation.  The riveting team of Jerry and Stu installed about 50 rivets into both floor panels.  Work has begun to prepare and old Illinois Central tender once used on the steam pile driver for eventual use as an auxiliary water tender for the Frisco 1630!  Not only is the steam department cosmetically restoring this tender but they are also working on installing new brakes and steps.  The 975 is receiving a much needed paint job.  Not an easy task but one that is definitely needed.Dennis, our in house volunteer welder, is finishing a couple of key components for our shay. This is just a small sample of the work being preformed in the department.   Yet to be blog about are another two huge projects,   The sandblasting and painting of the UP Rotary Snowplow and the reassemble of the 10 ton crane located in back of the steam shop.   We need this crane back in operation in order to lift the UP428 cab back on the engine's frame.             Thanks     Roger