Passenger Car Department

Here's a new and positive development being announced!  We now have added a second work session for our volunteers on weekdays!   Thursdays have now been added to our summer work schedule to further our production on our  coach fleet.    So if you can't make Wednesday volunteering in the coach dept please consider the new day of Thursday.   The most important part is that we are still having fun and will be accomplishing twice as much.   Boy, the improved interiors sure make a difference.  That is what we in the coach dept are aiming for to  enhance our visitor experience at Irm.    Here are some pictures of our latest efforts this last week of June 2016.The Dover bedroom project also at the same time. More upgrades on the Rock Island fleet.   Adding an additional volunteer work day certainly helps improve the appearance of our passenger coach fleet.  Want to join us and can't make out on Wednesdays?    How about a Thursday?  Paul and I will be there to help get you started.     Thanks   Roger      

Here is our good news for Fathers Day. WE are almost to the point of releasing the 556 for service.   Here's a detailed account of our latest work sessions. First,  I would like to welcome Jeff Button to our growing list of volunteers.    Jeff is from Harvard, Illinois and enjoys watching the 1630 pulling in and out of East  Union.                                                  Yes, as you can see, the lights do operate in this coach.  We might have some night operations with these coaches later this fall.  Next to last little project is to move the seat backs and cushions from their storage location in the Bessemer 25 combine to their proper location in the 556.   Again, Paul Cronin and I thank all of you who participated in this lengthy but important restoration of the Erie Lackawanna 556 interior.Remember.....the 556 once looked like this. This project was first started  in 2009 by Mike, Ray, and Shelly.   Now, after a much concentrated effort and leadership by Paul Cronin the coach is almost completed. We would still like to repaint the exterior.  It needs it.   The last time all three cars were painted were in the middle 1970's.   Don't you think they deserve a new coat of paint!?   Estimated cost is about $16,000 each.     We will see if the new 2017 budget will earmark this expenditure!   Don't  forget to come out and view our new paint job.  I think you will be impressed with all our hard work.    Thanks  Roger

Here is a progress report on our interior 556 painting project of the year.     We should have this car back in operation by middle of July and possible by the July Forth holiday!  These pictures were taken the last two weeks of May.     During that time Howard Geier devoted seven days in two different time periods to the  masking, sanding and spraying of the interior.    My compliments to him for if it was not for his efforts  the coach would not have been this far along.  Our thanks to all the volunteers who have dutifully worked to get it done! 

This is a dramatic change since we first started this project about six years ago.   The next blog will be even more impressive! 

Want to help keep our efforts continuing?   Please send a donation to the Passenger Coach fund!     Sandblasting, welding and painting are the three most expensive component items that we have to deal with in the Coach department.  The results are certainly worth our efforts.   It sure is nice to ride in a clean and well maintained coach at IRM.   You can help make this possible with your donation.      Thanks Roger

We have been focusing, for many years, on prepping the long out of service EL 556 for eventual interior painting.   Well, folks that time has finally come!      Now, with all the hard work that has been done to it in the last few years, those efforts are finally paying off. You will be able to ride this coach again this year.   Our very talented painter, Howard Geier has  begun painting the interior.   Thanks to all of the  volunteers; the hard work is  starting to pay off!    This car will be a "Thing of beauty"   I know, a lot of clichés, but it is amazing to see the difference.  Howard was also painting on this Friday, but I was not at Irm to catch any of the action.   I will take more pictures Saturday May 14.   There is even a more dramatic change coming.  Howard has started painting the ceiling.  What a beautiful contrast!!   This is going to be one beautiful interior when we get done.   Want to come out and help?  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays are good times to volunteer in the coach dept.      Thanks  Roger 

Here's more developments on the Silver Pony restoration.   Last Sunday, April 3rd, Jeron Glander and Cody Ziarko met up in barn 11 to continue working on the Silver Pony. All pictures in this post are provided by Jeron. They were testing parts of the 110 volt system and then began removing some seat frames to prepare for the replacement of the broken lower body windows later this year. They were later joined by Brian Paterson of the Coach department and Ben M. from the Steam Department.  When the Silver Pony was originally built, it used a motor generator system to supply 110 volt A/C to  power  the ceiling fluorescent light fixtures in both the passenger and bathroom  areas.   There are also 110 volt outlets located throughout  the car for be used for the vacuum cleaner appliances.   Remember, this was a first class car and cleaning standards were top notch.  Cleanliness was the order of the day.   Passengers expected that kind of service on these trains.   Nonetheless,  sometime during its career with the DRG&W RR, the motor alternator was removed and replaced by a solid state inverter. This converts 32vDC into 110vAC.  This solved a number of mechanical and electrical issues with the car.  Jeron and Cody are in the process of locating a set of batteries to install under the car in the battery box so that the inverter will be able to function properly.                                                           During the previous week Jeron removed all the old Alaska Railroad heralds and the GCRX reporting marks from both sides of the car.   These were all vinyl decals, so a heat gun and plastic scraper made quick work of the removal process.  Even this little change greatly improves the exterior appearance of the dome.By the end of the day on Sunday, all the seat cushion, seatbacks, and arm rests in the large coach section were removed from their frames and stored inside the car above the windows on the baggage racks. Yesterday, Jeron and Cody unbolted all the seat frames from their bases, then unbolted the bases and pedestals from the floor on one side.  This gives easy excess to the window frames to ultimately install new gaskets and  window glass. A lot of work is happening at a "Steady Trot," as Jeron explains it.  Come on out and join the "Pony Team."   Here, again is your chance to help bring this unique piece of railroad equipment back to operation.Jeron is working on the Pony in Barn 11 most Wednesdays and Saturdays!  Come on out and view the progress and join the team!Yes, please don't forget to bring your check book!   Or, for you modern folks, you can donate to the Silver Pony in the IRM OnLine store in incremnets of $25.  I have visited this project a number of times in the last few weeks  and I am personally impressed with the way Jeron and Cody have taken on this project!  They are very focused and have a plan in writing on how, when and what to accomplish.  Their ambition to complete this  project should be commended.   I support their efforts $ and hope that many of you will do the same as well!! Anyone have this style of glass globe in their collection?  We are looking for five of them for the dome lighting fixtures as well as the lower seating areas!   They are about 18" long and about 6" wide.  If you have any Jeron and Cody would love to talk to you!                Roger

Many of you have been waiting for this announcement and so here is the good news!    Jeron Glander and Cody Ziarko have drawn up a long term plan to restore the Silver Pony to operation!   With the approval and input of Curator, Paul Cronin, the initial steps have been finalized!   Jeron and Cody have already begin working on the "Pony" as of this blogging. The two major steps to this project are, first, repair the interior by installing new windows, fixing the lighting circuits and generally cleaning the interior so that it is presentable for tours.    The second phrase, and more expensive, will be the costly repair of both trucks, repairing the air conditioning system, upgrading and installing a reliable electric system to power the needs of the Dome.  THIS will be a very expensive project!   It will need almost the same amount of money[$] as the Electroliner project!  If you have given donations to the Electroliner in the past please seriously consider sending any donations large or small to this project!     If you are a fan of Budd equipment or light weight equipment in general this project is just right for you!!    One of Jeron's and Cody's first projects is the purchase and installation of new window gasket material.This will be any amazing car to ride.  The view from the dome will be breathtaking!    Depending on the amount of dollars given to this project the Pony might be available to operate in excursion  service with our Zephyr!  Just think of the possibilities!      Now, Jeron and Cody, definitely, can not accomplish this by themselves so...   They have asked me to pass along this request:  to help by volunteering and becoming part the team they are putting together;  THE PONY TEAM!    I know a number of you have already asked about helping with this special project.          Well...   Come on out and join the Pony Team!  Here, now, is your opportunity to help bring this unique piece of railroad equipment back into operation.   Cody and Jeron are working on the Pony in barn 11 most Wednesdays and Saturdays.    Come out and see the progress and join their team.     Yes, don't forget your check book!!!                   Thanks       Roger