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Monday, July 20. 2015Early July RI 2612 update
Here is a little progress report on our job to completely restore the 2612 to operation. Our crew has expanded their efforts and I now see the possibility of getting all window frames and window sills painted before Thomas! Yes, the entire interior might be completely repainted by the time Thomas rolls up to our gate! Its a great job everyone has been doing. It's a lot of repetitive work. You would be surprised how long some tasks take. Eventually if you keep at it, the work does get completed.
These four people are the nucleus of our work team on the RI 2612. Thanks again to Howard, Loraine, Dan and Austin. Without them the car would not be ready for this years Thomas Event!.
Tuesday, April 21. 2015Springtime 2015 on the RI 2612The weather has warmed and so has the interest on the RI 2612. Last week, Brian Paterson and Brian La Kemper preformed a single car air test on the coach and found a pair of leaks that must be repaired before the coach can be placed back in service. This weekend found the both of them repairing those leaks. This involved replacing a leaking angle cock and an air line "T" fitting. In this case, like most of the older equipment, the replacement of the pipe became more involved. Helping the two Brian's was young Phil from the steam shop. Together they had to remove twenty feet of air line pipe in order to repair the damaged "T" fitting. Nothing is easy! Hopefully, with the help of Tom Schneider and other steam shop members a new pipe will be bent and installed next weekend. My thanks for all those helping to make this repair! And on the exterior...... Last Wednesday, Austin Harvey, began needle chipping the second vestibule. Saturday, Howard and Mary Gierer continued the chipping and removed almost 2/3 of the old yellow paint from below the belt rail. Thanks to all three of you for your continued efforts. We hope to continue prepping this side for the eventual painting of the Pullman green color this year. Would you like to join us? It seems as if Wednesdays are the perfect time for midweek activities at Irm. If you can't make on a Wednesday I am also at the barn 3 most Tuesday's and Thursday's. As always, I enjoy helping you, the volunteer, get started on a project. Please stop by Barn 3 for a visit and view our progress! Roger
Monday, September 29. 2014
Thanks and Recognition, 2612, 2602 ... Posted by Roger Kramer
in Rock Island 2612 at
10:14
Comments (0) Thanks and Recognition, 2612, 2602 wrap upI would like to publicly thank all the following volunteers who faithfully partook in the restoration of Rock Island 2612 and the repaint of Rock island 2602! Without your interest and devotion these projects would not have been completed. So... Thank you all again for your efforts. We are continuing working on some projects and starting others. See you then. Gary Sherman, Loraine Bixler, Dan Bixler, Dave Cook, Brian Patterson, Andy Patterson, Mark Hoffman, Ray Erickson, Austin Harvey, Kyle Vander Meer, Jane Blackburn, Andy Townsend, Mary Geier, Howard Geier, Jan Hervert, Nancy Ring, Dan Boguse, Mike Steigerwald, John Mckelvey, Eric Olesen, Brian La Kemper, Shelly Vanderschaegen, Jim Opolony, Paul Cronin, Matt Voss, Chase Renwick, Logan Gaerlan, Warren Newhauser, Roger Kramer and from the steam dept; Christian Ellis, Jim Opolony, Eric Wahlmark and Dave. Here, again, are more pictures of some of the crew in various degrees of action. I am certainly proud of all of you for volunteering your time and labor in these two projects. Roger Kramer Would you like to meet new people, who also have similar train interests, and at the same time help restore and maintain museum artifacts? Why not join our team and begin volunteering this coming week. We meet in back of barn 3 where there is plenty of parking. Remember to bring your lunch and your favorite drink. All else is supplied including good conversation! Thanks Friday, August 29. 2014
We did It! RI 2612 in the Thomas Train! Posted by Roger Kramer
in Rock Island 2612 at
21:21
Comments (2) We did It! RI 2612 in the Thomas Train!
Yes, indeed, the 2612 Team pulled off one of the more memorable restorations in the museum history. Many Thanks to all who help in this effort! It wasn't that it was a special restoration no, but it was rather the speed in which the restoration took place. 19 months from a Christmas car to a functional Rock Island coach. That is a very short time line. 19 months, is probably a new record for IRM. Now don't get me wrong in your assumption that everything is complete, painted and functioning. Far from it. But it is now a usable piece of equipment that Irm can use on its the demonstration railroad. Here, then, is a partial list of our teams accomplishments. The interior is almost complete. Most seat frames have repainted parts. 25 seat cushions and seven seat backs have been reupholstered. Two nickel seat frames are of brand new manufacture. Two nickel seat cushions, bottoms and backs have been reupholstered Many of the walkover seat handles are now a polished brass. The ceiling has yet to be painted but all walls are now painted. 40 of the 42 seat frames are installed, 38 of the 50 window frames are installed, and the floor has been painted and repaired. Steam lines are one step closer to being pressurized. Interior lighting was made operational. 42 advertising car cards have been installed. 38 brass window frames have been repaired, painted, glazed w/ new safety glass, and installed. Lastly, 12 window shades have been reinstalled. Did I forget something? Maybe, anyway that is a heck of a list. The exterior of the coach was not neglected. One side was completely chipped and made free of the old paint. A coat of primer was sprayed on to protect the surface before we can spray a first top coat. Two new stair assemblies were made and installed. Repairs were made by a Hampshire, Ill welder to the lower vestibule frame to except the stairs. Old deck plate was removed and new plate installed. One entire vestibule has also been chipped and spray primed. Two pin lifters have been reinstalled and painted along w/ two passenger gates. The emergency conductors valve was made operational by repainting the airline pipe. Both hand brakes were repair and made operational. Four new buffer rods were manufactured so that two could be installed using a spare used buffer plate. AND we did all this work on time; and in time to be used on the DOWT train. Quite an accomplishment for any group of people!!One bar shown with a large nut to hold it place Hey, they are heavy. Each bar weights about 35lbs apiece Thursday, August 14. 2014Continuing the saga...RI 2612I have said this a number of times but "Work continues on 2612." There has been some doubt from various members whether we would reach our deadline of completing the 2612 before Thomas. You can be reassured that we have! With a great out pouring from the core of volunteers the coach will be in a train. We just don't know which train but it will be used. Here are pictures of the various team volunteers and their projects. The group shot of Brian, John, and Myself standing on the newly installed stairs. The stairs can take a lot of weight! |
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Comments
Sun, 02-21-2021 21:12
Hi Ethan The 428 has been worked on recently but the focus now is on the maintenance and repair on the 1630 and the Shay. This Spring we will [...]
Sun, 02-21-2021 15:10
How is the UP 428 Steam locomotive engine is most done being fixed. OK Roger.
Sun, 02-21-2021 13:18
Hello Max The answer is Yes, the Dover will be used along with our other Pullman cars only in special event operations. When not in use [...]
Sun, 02-21-2021 12:30
Hello Jim We will be operating the Dover this year depending upon its mechanical condition. I hope to use the car in display venue as well as in [...]
Sun, 02-21-2021 12:24
Hello Kirk Hello, Yes the Dover is now in great shape. There are a couple of little projects to accomplish when the weather changes. I am [...]
Sat, 02-20-2021 18:55
Will the DOVER STRAIT be operational for Museum trips
Sat, 02-20-2021 17:06
I’m really impressed with the wonderful job your volunteers are doing to restore this historic passenger car. Once the restoration is complete, does [...]
Sat, 02-20-2021 14:02
It is great to see the work that Bob Hunter and Gene Macowiak started in the 1990’s. Great work done in finishing the two bedrooms and the buffet [...]
Fri, 02-19-2021 18:41
Very good article. I definitely love this website. Continue the good work!
Tue, 02-02-2021 10:15
I know it is wintertime, and the Virus is making getting people in to do work is difficult, so in a few months, when it's warmer, would someone please [...]
Sun, 01-31-2021 14:37
Hello Jack Thank you very much We in the coach dept are working very hard to have these trains restored Thanks Roger
Sat, 01-30-2021 18:45
pre oiler is a great idea saves lots of wear and tear on engines. a pat on the back for the diesel crew