Victor Humphreys continued to install patches and do related body work throughout the day. He is a perfectionist, insisting on the finished work being almost invisible of the repairs.
Mike Alterio is installing new grab irons to replace those damaged and missing on the A end. This day two were complete - fabricated, installed, and primed.
Rich Witt has become a valued fixture in our shop, but in this case 'fixture' refers to the wooden oak form and jig being assembled. New volunteer in our shop, David Diaz helps on the task.
As soon as the wood jig was done, we fit a steel custom made die assembly into the hydraulic press and began forming new caps for the ribs on the boxcar. Rich Witt is supplying the muscle to the pump. IT WORKED! And as I was leaving the crew were hard at work to have seven pieces made and complete.
Chicago and West Towns 141 made a rare appearance outdoors, as clearances were being checked on under car cabling, as the car negotiated a very sharp curve.
Henry Vincent is pleased as longtime member Bob Rayunec donated an original North Shore Line First Aid kit. Wow! Where did that come from?
An Historic Moment! First Roof Slats Installed
After cutting 300+ roof slats during the previous weekends, the time had come to begin the installation of the roof slats onto the roof ends of the car. The rear of the car was chosen because of good lighting and the lack any special cutting unlike the front which has the roof mounted headlight. Jeff Brady and Ray Schmid worked in the morning to prepare the carlines for the installation. Fans used in the morning to move the hot, humid Car Barn air were not needed later in the day as rainy weather arrived in the early afternoon and brought cooler temperatures that made the working conditions better. Work will continue during September to complete the ends with two layers of roof slats.
Pictured below: Ray Schmid and Jeff Brady, nailing the first slat.
Pictured below: Ray finishes the day by nailing the 10th roof slat.
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 [...]