Dover Strait - Bob Hunter, Project Leader: The exterior of this Pullman bedroom, buffet and lounge car was primed in preparation for repainting in August. The car was last primed in 1993 but manpower was not available to finish the painting project at that time. Bob Hunter came to the Dover Strait project in 1996 and worked to repair interior damage and replace fixtures at that time. Recent work is geared toward completion of the exterior painting and in mid-September one side of the car was again lightly sanded and primed with an epoxy based primer prior to receiving the two-tone gray finish coats. The stripe has yet to be completed and there is more work required to complete the exterior painting project.
Rock Island 2602: Mike Baksic and Ray Mormann finished many sheet metal repairs in August of 2007 just in time for Thomas. Nick Kallas donated monies in October 2007 for a private contractor to apply the final coat of Pullman green paint to car. Yet to be done is the lettering.
Illinois Central 3345 - Roger Kramer, Project Leader: Andy Townsend worked on restoring the aluminum sheathing around the women's washroom window area. Roger Kramer plans to put the window back in this spring. Their plan called for getting the car turned to repair windows on the other side. Because the the car sides are made out of an aircraft type aluminum sheet that can't be welded, their work is different than the average sheet metal project. Fortunately Andy Townsend is experienced with aircraft sheet metal repairs making this work doable.
Nevada Northern 10 - Shelly Vanderschaegen, Project Leader: Interior work in the private car "Ely" was just one project for Shelly Vanderschaegen during the summer of 2007. Shelly removed all the old carpeting in the fall of 2006. In the summer of 2007 she found the same pattern and installed the new carpeting with the help of Mike Baksic. This is the oldest car in the Passenger Car Department. The carpeting upgrade really makes the car more elegant, you should stop in and see it. If you like old wooden cars be sure to visit the B&M 1094 after you see the Ely.
John McGloughlin - Roger Kramer, Project Leader: Roger Kramer, Jim Heinlein, and other volunteers sanded and primed the sides of the this Pullman sleeping car in the Barn 3 middle isle during the fall of 2007. Four coats of top coat were spray painted on the week after Member's Weekend. Roger has also been slowly restoring the women's washroom and the men's washroom with the installation of duplicate sinks and brass shelving.
Streamliner Cars - Phil Stepek, Project Leader: Phil Stepek has been working on the Streamliner cars since 2004. Phil prefers to perform major project work during the off-season so he can focus on the museum's mission of education by welcoming the many visitors and answering their questions during the summer months. Phil has been able to reupholster one roomette and install reading lights in the Silver Ridge. He acquired ceiling lights for the corridor then installed them over the winter. Phil strives to make the four cars a genuine experience for the visitors, and has made the cars comfortable as well by upgrading the air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Boston & Maine 1094 Cafe Car - Jack Biesterfeld/Ted Anderson, Project Leaders: Jack Biesterfeld worked hard last summer and fall restoring the fine red mahogany woodwork in the 1906 Pullman B&M 1094 cafe car and had the dining area finished by the end of the year. Jack also repaired areas of the ceiling and found mahogany under previously painted ceiling areas. Jack will be moving into the coach area and restoring the ceiling and walls. His efforts are really making a difference at transforming the car back to it's early 1900's appearance. To keep pace with his restoration, this car needs donations. Yet to be purchased are 18 seat cushions and frames. Replicas are available at the Strassburg Museum in PA at a cost of $400 each. For visitors and members who have not seen the interior of this car it would be well worth your effort to stop by. See the Illinois Railway Museum store to make a donation.
Louisville & Nashville 2726 - Project Leader Gerry Bogus: The L&N 2726, Diner Galt House has returned after a prolonged absence at the paint shop in Horicon. It will be on display in Barn 3 for the summer 2008 season.
Bessemer & Lake Erie 25: Mark Hoffman removed a badly deteriorated wooden window in May 2007. Roger Kramer had the window repaired and repainted and then Mark reinstalled it just in time for the August visit of Thomas the Tank Engine. Yet to be undertaken is the repair of the last badly deteriorated window.
Comments
Fri, 03-29-2024 21:26
We're slackers and spend more time working on the equipment in the shop than keeping all you readers updated. We'll work on it, but I'm sure updates [...]
Thu, 03-14-2024 08:02
What happened to the Department Blog? It's been over 2 years and I still regularly check for updates, but nothing comes...
Mon, 12-27-2021 16:28
Happy New Year to all the Departments at the Illinois railway Museum! Thanks for all the good work you do in railroad preservation. Ted Miles, [...]
Wed, 10-13-2021 13:33
Was the CB&Q 1309 every transported to IRM?I’ve been reading old issues of Rail&Wire and the car was mentioned several times.
Mon, 06-07-2021 22:40
I was wondering if in the model layout display what scale would you guys be using and would you be displaying model train history as well? Just [...]
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!
Tue, 06-01-2021 16:47
I hope the work will continue on the UP #428. Now that they are the museum's connection to the national railroad network; she would be very [...]
Sat, 04-17-2021 23:07
What is the status of 126, the Milwaukee Buffet car that is in S. Dakota? Any guess on when or if it will get to IRM?
Wed, 04-14-2021 21:09
Perhaps it is time to scrap the remains of the c, B & Q 7128 to make room for the Villa Real. Ted miles, IRM member
Wed, 04-14-2021 15:26
Hi IRM my name is Jason and I was wonder If you guys would be willing to save a CN Dash8-40cm they are currently being retired by CN and being [...]
Fri, 04-09-2021 19:56
Bear in mind that the Nebraska Zephyr is an articulated train set, so cars cannot be inserted at will. Although cars and/or a second engine could be [...]
Wed, 03-31-2021 11:37
I believe Silver Pony is currently on the back burner, and has been put into storage in one of the barns. The car needs a lot of work done to it's [...]