Entries by Roger Kramer

               Wednesday,  February 19th was relatively warm day and the following Saturday was cold.   We had the propane heaters on both days to keep Gary and I warm and comfy.   In spite of the cold weather, we were  productive inside.      Gary and I continued our planning for the 3 panel installation by drilling each  steel panel with forty-five holes and then test fitting each panel into position.   It does not sound like much but the planning and fitting is very important for the eventually out come.    You want to plot the holes in the correct space and drill them only once.     What's the old saying...measure twice...cut once.   That's what we did.   Gary and I must have moved those panels back and forth about 4 or 5 times before we decided to drill the holes.    We are finally at the point of  fitting, installing and tapping some one hundred 1/4-20 slotted round head screws back into the frame.   Its a time consuming job and there was talk about an easier way but  restoring an artifact does take time.                                                                      

    Our work is sure cut out for us.    

  Since it is too cold to start our little air compressor, allowing us to needle chip the walls and ceilings, we are manually removing the old  paint with the help of hand scrapers.   Not a very efficient use of time but it does get the job done.   If any one would like to donate to the coach dept a larger air compressor the coach dept sure could use one!! 

                                                 

                                                    

                           

                  Believe it or not...                15 days till Spring!!  In order to met our goal I would like to ask for a couple of new volunteers to assist us in our efforts.   You can call at the museum and leave a message for me in the office or just show up on any Wednesday or Saturday.    We generally have a good time and when you travel home at night you feel certain that you helped accomplished something.           Hope to see you in back of barn 3    Thanks      Roger Kramer

  

     This has been my home-work for the winter.   Yes, I have been busy working in my basement workshop, installing latches, repairing, and painting more brass 2612 windows frames for installation.                 Here's the report on my progress todate.

 

           Kyle and Gary have sandblasted most of these frames earlier in the fall.   I then took them home to complete the restorations.  

           Another member of our team, Dan Bixler, has also been working at his home cleaning and painting the brass window strips that hold the window frame into the car body.  So far he has painted about 60 of these strips and will bring them to Irm when its gets warmer! 

 As many of you remember, we began our efforts to restore this car, for operation, in February, 2013.   With Mike Baksic's encouragement we hope to meet our two year time frame.  

         Want to become part of the "Team 2612"???!!!   If your interested you can contact me thu email or call and leave a phone message at the museum's number. 815 923-4391.       Thanks.         With the Frisco 1630, steam engine running this year we will need  the increased capacity this car offers on the steam train.

 As soon as the weather gets a little warmer[I hope we don't have to await too long] our crew will again be busy installing windows and installing parts on the coach.    WHY NOT JOIN US!!.                                 Roger

                It has been soooo cold at Irm this winter that many of you Blog readers probably figured activity was at a  minimum.   Well, your pretty close to being right!    BUT, where there's heat there's progress.    Even when it's 5-10 degrees outside it's almost "toasty" in our heated facilities.   The car shop, office, exhibit cars and woodshop along with the Steam shop are locations where work continues even in the coldest of conditions.    Randy Hicks in his blog site has documented his progress on the CA&E wood equipment using the woodshop as a work area.    I have been out a couple of times in January and here's a few pictures of those visits.  

Here's a couple of pictures of the progress in the continuing makeup of the Villa Falls mahogany window frames.

               When completed there will be 18 exterior, custom made, window frames  mfg and assembled this winter seaon.    Depending on time, I have purchased enough wood to cover the mfg of 8 more frames.   The Pullman sleeper needs 32 so we are 6 short.    The wood costs for each frame is about $50.00.   If you would like to help us cover  the additional costs of 6 frames please send you donations to Restricted Fund... Villa Falls.   Thank you   

                    Will It ever warm up??????????????? We all hope so.  I 'm sure you do too so you can again visit Irm. 

Remember the new display barns in your donations.    It will happen!!!  It just takes time. 

 This year ol' 1630 steam will be running.  Watch for the dates.      Thanks    Roger Kramer

This short but important progress report was sent to me by George [Buzz] Morsette.  All the white wood pieces are new additions to the ceiling repair.    They are hand crafted to fit each area.  Buzz has produced each piece in Irm's own wood shop.   Not an easy job!   Not everyone has the talent to manufacture these parts.                                                  These pictures were taken about two weeks ago by Buzz.   They show that the water damage and previous repairs are much worst than in the observation-lounge area.   Those repairs were completed in late Spring of 2013.  [See past blogs concerning the restoration efforts]    The "obs" end is now complete with the reinstallation, by Mike Baksic, of the two restored ceiling light fixtures.     Buzz is now repairing the wood car lines in this ceiling.  No easy task!   Thanks to Buzz and his associates for their efforts.   The next few weeks, weather permitting,  will show further progress.  Keep watching for the developments.    If you would like to help purchase wood for this ceiling project send your donation to......... Restricted Fund,  Ely.      Thank You.      Roger  

This last Wednesday the annual weekday volunteer Christmas party was again held in the woodshop annex.

All the pictures are credited to Buzz Morisette for which we are grateful that someone took time to "click the shutter."

A delicious spread was created for all to see and EAT!!!

There was ,of course, a lot of friendly conversation, some B.S. and a lot of "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

A number of people were missing. One person, I am sure, that came up in many a conversation was the name of Bob Kutella. He was uncharacteristically, absent. Bob, unfortunately, broke his right femur along with shattering his hip in a disastrous fall on home ice Dec 10. After many days in the hospital Bob is now home recuperating. His best friend, Barb, will be helping him thur this difficult time. His duties with Irm are greatly curtailed.  He will be concentrating  only on his rehabilitation and efforts to walk. At this time he has ask me to convey to his friends that  phone calls be limited to him! Please keep him and other ill members in your prays! Thank You. 

If you haven't done so yet I would like to remind you to remember your Museum at this giving time of year. Please  send in your year end donation and dues renewal!!

All these folks in the above pictures, plus the men and women of other departments are volunteers that have spend many years working on museum projects. Why  not support their efforts with a donation to your favorite piece of rolling stock?

Keep Warm and stay healthy! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from this Blogger.   Roger Kramer

                               It's been a while since my last progress report on the 2612.  The cold weather has almost brought the project to halt.  The volunteers still have been making a difference  in many areas.  The 2612 is warm with two small heaters but the chill is still very obvious.  Kyle, Dave, Gary, Jane, Ray, Brian and myself have been making slow but steady progress.                                                                                    The most important development within the last few weeks was the decision to remove three steel panels located below the window line.  These pieces have rusted so badly from water and steam leakage over the years that we decided to remove at least 3 sections and install new ones.   Each section is 100 inches long and 14 inches high and costs $70 each.  Thanks to Rod, in the car dept, for ordering the new panels for us.  The removal of each old section, first, involves removing three seat frames then removing the old panel.  Next we will sand, prime and paint all exposed steel before installing the new panels.   Not an easy task.  Its very time consuming especially under these cold conditions.  Here are a few pictures of our progress to date.                                                                                                   Surveying the situation  I have now  realized that we will need more than 3 panels to complete the interior restoration.  We still have the other side to contend with.  That's where you can help!!!   Your Holiday donation to Irm might include a donation to this project.  Please consider it and when you do, please mark on your gift.........                   "SPECIAL PROJECT"  RI 2612 Fund.                Thank you   Roger  

Happy Turkey Day to all the friends and supporters of IRM!

Here are a couple of equipment pictures that haven't seen the light of day for a few years. Thought it would be interesting to show the restoration efforts on both pieces.

In another 10 or so years they will be complete and operational.... with you help.

Remember to send in your year end donation gifts to any rolling stock fund. AND........more news coming up about building storage barns.