Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Entries from March 2010

Thursday, March 25. 2010

Wood Shop Update - March 24, 2010 Posted by Robert Kutella in Wood Shop at 10:40

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Wood Shop Update - March 24, 2010

I am hoping for some images to come in shortly, to tell more of this story, but thought I would at least post a quick entry as I take a break from other work this AM.

Battens

We had a sizable crew yesterday and proceeded to continue on the new battens for the depot project. By day's end we had sawn and planed 1100 (ELEVEN HUNDRED) more feet of blanks to be milled into battens. The stack of completed strips was piled high! We had the shop set up as a sort of factory production line and here you see Rich Witt, Victor Humphreys, Henry Vincent, and John Faulhaber processing the fourteen foot long pieces. I am behind the camera.

The Line

Another view of Victor, Rich, Henry and John ready to go. Pete Galayda and I also pitched in for a crew of six. The extra hands made the work much faster and more productive.

Thursday, March 25. 2010

Wood Shop Update - March 21, 2010 Posted by Robert Kutella in Wood Shop at 05:22

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Wood Shop Update - March 21, 2010

Here are some new images 'hot off the press' from the camera of Ray Schmid. Last Sunday we welcomed some new woodworking volunteers, the father and son team of Jim and Tom Windmeier. Their project is to build many wood replica stepboxes in the style of the old metal ones long disappeared from railroad use. These will improve safety and access for those boarding our trains, young and old alike.

Jigs

One of the first steps for Jim and Tom was to design the project, and then to proceed to build the first prototype, serial no. 1. This has a lot of tricky angles and cuts so they designed a number of jigs and fixtures to help.

A Sled

One of those useful items is this sled designed to run in concert with our tablesaw. A number of blocks and stops are added so parts can be reproduced with a minimum of fussing and measuring.

Coming Together

The pieces are carefully fitted to check angles and conformance to the 'idea'.

The Shape

Here the four sides (inverted) are held together and then checked. Now you see what he has been doing, huh?

Off Topic

Of course this image has nothing to do with the described project but someone who shall remain nameless caught Tim Peters and myself politely discussing an upcoming task. Sort of a laugh and reward for those that read to the end of this entry.

Monday, March 22. 2010

Passenger Dept Update 2010-03-20 Posted by Phil Stepek in Passenger Car Department at 22:53

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Passenger Dept Update 2010-03-20

GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS

Much of the past few weeks has been spent on housekeeping and organizing. Mike, Ray and Marc spent last Sunday clearing up the east end of Barn 3 to make it presentable for the public in two weeks.

With the Villa Falls and Floyd River indoors finally, we have begun to actually get our parts collection organized as well.

Signage is being created and installed on all passenger cars not open for visits.

New information is being compiled to request info signs for equipment now in public areas.

Support for early season special event days is being planned.

We continue to spend time performing bench repairs on some spare parts for the collection, and further organizing our parts inventory for the future.

With the budget approved, the wheel switch on the CRIP coach remains a plan for spring.

CBQ 1309, a baggage car owned by IRM at least since 2001, (and the baggage mate to our CBQ1923 RPO), remains an intended project.

We await progress. The Executive Director has related a stop during the current road trip, and perhaps an inquiry of the information necessary to get this car home.

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS

DLW coaches (3)

No changes as of yet

Two cars are in service.

The third car is still undergoing required structural welding, but finally nearing completion. The platform is in place, and the door and frame have been remounted.

CBQ RPO 1923

Progress is being made towards an enhanced event. We also hope to have the car participate in the Memorial Day train, as part of the WWII reenactment.

ATSF 2544

The prep work for the second side of seats has continued.

Seat frames are being prepared and the wall work nears completion, with paint work being done now.

Dover Strait

Progress continues piecemeal, as reassembly of the lounge area continues. Corridor painting continues, and hardware installation also continues. The plan is to utilize exterior time during May/June switching in Barn 3 to get the undercarraige painted, and then have it placed in a position to offer interior inspections as well as enhanced exterior visibility.

B&M 3288/1094

No significant changes, beyond the continued progress. Part of the plan for spring includes the possible move of the car to a location where exterior work can be done.

DMIR 84

Window Frame repairs continue

Yard 5 display

RDC 9933

Brake cylinders are being disassembled and rebuilt to ensure long term function of the car.

Seat frame repairs are nearing completion.

Final baggage rack area has been reinstalled, and lights rewired.

CBQ Silver Ridge

While we have not had a lot of time in this car, some backdating has been accomplished, and we still hope to have more done for the 2010 season.

Roomette sink hardware has been located and installed.

light fixtures are being explored to possibly replace more missing pieces.

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Comments

James Kolanowski about Milwaukee Road 33C update
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 [...]

AJ about Milwaukee Road 33C update
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...

Ted Miles about Progress update of the Multi Purpose Building
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, [...]

J Blustein about The Old Bag and the Silver Beaver
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.

Jason E about Progress update of the Multi Purpose Building
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 [...]

Thomas about It Happened One Saturday at IRM
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!

Ted Miles about It Happened One Saturday at IRM
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 [...]

bob miller about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
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?

Ted Miles about John McLoughlin Progress - Part Two
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

Jason Erkenswick about Diesel Shop update 1/29/2021
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 [...]

Alex Schneider about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
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 [...]

Matthew Maloy about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
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 [...]