Illinois Railway Museum Blog

This weekend was all about track machines-

Saturday I was out along with Frank DeVries and our plan was to get our heavily used machines serviced and ready to go.  We started early with a trip to Behr Recycling in Woodstock to cash in eight old machine batteries we've been collecting over time.  Most places will give you a $5 or $7 credit toward a new battery but since we currently don't have a need for new batteries we brought ours in for cash.  We picked up $39.30 for the batteries and that money was put into the EJ&E 529 caboose fund.

When we got back we started by replacing the four large high pressure hydraulic oil filters on the 6000 tamper.  It was a messy job and my legs and arms were soaked with hydraulic oil by the time we finished but got the job done.  These don't have to be replaced very often but we've never replaced them since owning the tamper; they were certainly due for replacement.  We also heated the engine room to thaw out the throttle cable which often freezes solid.  After a trip to Napa for some parts and oil, Frank did some re-plumbing on one of the air tanks which was leaking. The next task was to get the Model 50 Burro crane over the the Pit on 41 Track and give it its annual service.  After warming up the crane, Frank ran it over from Yard 11 to the pit and started with an engine oil/ filter change.  This time Frank was the one draining the oil and ended up getting drenched.  Say goodbye to that coat!  We tackled our leaking transmission as well. While I added engine oil, Frank drained the transmission oil and made a new liquid gasket for the leaking filter plug. The car shop was kind enough to let us leave the crane overnight on the pit for the gasket to cure properly.  We oiled the drive shafts, inspected the wiring and cleaned up a bit before calling it a day.


------------------

Sunday the gang was myself, Frank DeVries and Tom Hunter.  We began on the pit by refilling the transmission oil in the Model 50 Burro to find that the new seal appears to be working without leaking.  We attempted to start the crane without any luck.  After a few attempts we put the battery charger on it and headed to Tk24.  The big project for the day was to pull ALL of our machines from Tk24 to switch the heated portion of the diesel shop.  We started by getting the 6000 tamper, the ballast regulator and the EJ&E 585 motorcar all fired up.  Without diving into the details of the switch list, we were able to pull everything out of the barn and onto the Carline without much difficulty.  In a rare move, the old SOO line brush cutter that was in the heated portion of Barn 2 was also pulled out for the first time in years.  We will find it a new home soon but it will no longer be in the heated shop.  After the big switch and getting everything put back inside, we took the Burro Crane back to Yard 11 and brought the 6000 tamper onto the pit and gave it its annual service.  The three of us did an engine oil/ filter change, lube and once over while on the pit. Tom and Frank did some electrical work as well. We made quick work of it, got it back to Tk24, cleaned up and called it a day.  The 6000 tamper and Model 50 Burro Crane are ready to earn their keep this spring.  The first projects we intend to start will be tamping on the Carline and Mainline in April with the 6000 tamper.  We will begin track inspection this coming weekend and dive into mainline repairs during March in anticipation for service in a month.  Thanks to the Electric Car dept for use of the pit and everyone who helped out this weekend.  We got A LOT done.

Franks photos from the weekend are on his Member's Pages here:

http://www.irm.org/gallery/album238
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album239


Thanks,
Adam Robillard
IRM Track Dept.