Comments
w00t! Very cool indeed!
#1 Tom Mealer on 2016-03-24 18:42
All I can say is "WOW". Congratulations. One of the most exciting pieces of news to come out of IRM since 1630 came back into service.
#2 Kurt Schlieter on 2016-03-24 18:53
Congratulations! That should be quite something to see. I know I am looking forward to it! Jim~ OWWM Arnfest
#3 Jim Page on 2016-03-24 18:59
next question: where will it be assembled on IRM property?
#4 Raphael on 2016-03-24 20:03
The answer depends upon the water table, land surveying, engineering plans, etc. There is not a specific location selected as of yet.
#4.1 Jeron Glander on 2016-03-25 07:55
My best guess is the open space next to steam locomotive track next to the water tower, porbobly on the right side facing the end of the track
#4.2 Owen Mruk on 2016-04-18 21:46
This is excellent news! Where can we make a donation to move and install this historic item? I look forward to coming down and seeing it in action in the hopefully near future!
#5 Shane Lambert on 2016-03-24 20:17
https://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_11&products_id=2130&zenid=7i2h2fnvjrb5vo6u55bc8c42a4
#5.1 Jeron Glander on 2016-03-25 15:30
So what will the fate be for the CNW turntable in the back behind the steam engines?
#6 Dave M on 2016-03-24 20:54
Awesome! This is great news.
#7 Bob Kennedy on 2016-03-24 22:34
What a blessing! Congratulations! Please keep us informed as to the next stage in getting this turntable moved to IRM.
#8 Harry W on 2016-03-24 23:24
As a long time follower of the Grande, I'm glad that the turntable found a worthy home. We are all sad to see Burnham closed down, but some of it at least can live on in your fine establishment. I may have to plan a trip out there to visit your museum from my home in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
#9 Curt Jones on 2016-03-25 07:15
So what does it include? i.e. bearings, gears, rollers, ring gear, center pier pivot point bearing, pit support walls, rail alignment bars for each track, controls & switch gear, operators' shanty, and one big honkin' motor? Who says there is no such thing as a free ($10,000+) lunch?
#10 Sam Polonetzky on 2016-03-25 11:25
Broadly - Yes. Except that, as rebuilt it had no shanty. The pit and therefore the walls are cast in the ground so clearly cannot be moved. Actually it does not have a single motor but there are nice new motors in the trucks at each end.
#10.1 Nigel Bennett on 2016-03-25 14:36
Nigel, can I take you used car shopping for me? It may not bee a free lunch but it is a cheep appetizer. As always I stand ready to help you as I can, be it Civil Engineer or Cheerleader. Keep those pennys and farthings coming.
#10.1.1 Sam Polonetzky on 2016-03-25 18:55
I was doodling around with some numbers just based on some of the rough numbers in the descriptions and looking at the photos. I guess we will meed about 675 cubic yards of reinforced concrete for the pit & pier. That's about 57 (12 cu.yd.) redi mix truckloads of concrete. What does 6 bag redi-mix go for in Union? I won't even start to figure how many tons of epoxy coated steel re-bar we will need. But it will be many many Pounds Sterling.
#10.1.1.1 Sam Polonetzky on 2016-03-25 21:27
Yes. There are no illusions that this is a big project. Initial estimates in the $500-700,000 range.
#10.1.1.1.1 Nigel Bennett on 2016-03-26 08:00
Hi, I worked at the Burnham Loco facility, now a former railroader.. The turntable originally used electric motors, after being rebuilt in '12, management decided to go with a hydraulic system to operate the system.. The pump was a bit small for the job and turning a heavy loco, like a 70 Ace, was really slow.. Just a note, if you receive all the parts, including the hydraulic system you might want to step up the hyd. pump. I hope this turntable will serve you with great use, I'm happy to hear someone is trying to use it instead of scrap it. Have a nice day- Chris
#10.2 Christopher Craig on 2016-05-21 10:38
This is exciting news! In addition to money, what can people do to help? Does the UP have the original engineering documents for the foundation and associated structure and equipment needed to support and operate the turntable? That would be a good head start even if soil conditions at Union are different than in Denver.
#11 Rob on 2016-03-25 14:06
Much of this is to be determined. Many drawings are available but any new pit will not be directly like the existing one. At Burnham this table replaced a smaller deep pit one in 1941 so the existing pit was built in at least two stages having a deep central well, for the original table, with a raised plinth to carry the bearing of this table. Any new pit will be shallow and designed around this table.
#11.1 Nigel Bennett on 2016-03-25 14:42
So when the move takes place how would you move the turntable? Would it move by rail?
#12 Luke Solberg on 2016-03-26 22:20
More news soon. The intention is that the table itself will move by rail. The logistics are being finalized.
#12.1 Nigel Bennett on 2016-03-27 11:08
It has been so long since a turntable project has been mentioned that I thought the idea had been abandoned by the museum's planners. wonderful! And when a Round House is built it will be the equivalent of a new car Barn as the steam space can be used for other cars. Ted Miles, IRM Member
#13 Ted Miles, IRM Member on 2016-03-27 10:48
as for the Harvard turntable currently on the property, will it go to the highest bidder, or do you have other plans?
#14 Raphael on 2016-03-27 16:37
Great acquisition! Now let's get it here and get it installed!
#15 Rob Weinberg on 2016-03-27 16:38
Having been a number for many years, this has been the best news ever. Congratulations to the Board
#16 T.G. Mieure on 2016-03-27 18:15
The turntable will be a great addition. Has there been any progress on the Electroliner restoration ?
#17 Ted Stromberg on 2016-03-31 15:30
Ted, The turntable will be a big project but we believe it will be a great addition to the museum. The Electroliner is moving along rapidly. It is actually in a lot of places at present!. The trucks are with one contractor being refurbished. The wheels have been separated and are being turned / replaced as necessary at another site. The motors were removed from the trucks and are at a specialist shop being rebuilt. Meanwhile at Union, work is getting under way on the air conditioning. Nigel
#17.1 Nigel Bennett on 2016-03-31 15:43
On Green street in Bensenville, there is still a round table just sitting all by it self in the CP Railroad parking area, near the Bensenville Police Station. Maybe you could get this cheap as this is no longer being used. It is west of the Franklin Park yards of Bensenville.
#17.1.1 Roger Ruchti on 2016-04-07 15:24
Actually, CP still uses that turntable on a regular basis. UP also has a turntable nearby, in the Proviso Yard, also still in use.
#17.1.1.1 Mike G. on 2016-04-10 12:40
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