This time we will look at DL&W 556, one of three open platform Lackawanna coaches we have. There is not much illumination in these so pardon the pics - and thank goodness for digital images where some enhancements are easily made. The cars were built by Pullman in 1914, seat 78, and are classic railroad roof steel coaches. They were acquired by IRM in 1972, and have long served as the backbone of our our weekend passenger service. But they are getting timeworn and long overdue for repairs and rehab.
This car has been out of service for some time. Mike Baksic and Ray Moorman have replaced steel and decking on one of the platforms, while others led by Mark Hoffman are concentrating on the interior.
The seats and light globes have been removed and a LOT of peeling paint is being painstakingly cleaned from the sidewalls and ceiling. The schedule hopes for the car to be repainted and ready to go back into service in 2013, and that may be optimistic as more issues are uncovered. But with more volunteer help it could easily meet or exceed that date.
The other two cars in the set are numbered 561 and 567.
The Passenger Car Department is alive and well at IRM with a lot of projects ongoing and a lot of work being done. Hope you enjoyed these short looks behind the scenes.
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 [...]