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Saturday, November 26. 2011Steam Department Update 11-26-2011This Saturday we had a surprisingly good turnout. Steam Department volunteers must have felt the need to work off the turkey. On 1630 work continued steadily. Collin and Phil worked on the firebox end tube plugs. Another 40 are out. The technique is now well developed but there is a limit to how long you can you can work at this. Since you have first to gas cut the tube end to a suitable length for removal the atmosphere in the confined space of the boiler when you use an acetylene cutting torch does become "a little warm". Still, the fireman's side is now largely clear. Mike and Bob removed the stays from the firebox corner. All the rivets and stays are now out so they are now working on cutting out the damaged corner plate. Not simple as the replacement tube sheet fitted in the 1930's was welded into place. A great deal of reorganization of the shop was achieved that will provide Dennis with a better area for welding, under lifting gear that can move and position heavy parts, as well as free the space in which we can both swage the fire tubes for 1630 and set up the rig to pressure test the super heater elements.
The new fork lift enabled us to move the large timbers being seasoned for the Shay up onto racking so freeing a lot of floor space.  Timber for the Shay The Shay saw considerable progress. A "A" frame outside the shop was broken down and reassembled over the truck - one of those jobs that sounds easy until you are trying to align bolt holes in the legs and beam, both of which are heavy enough to need 2 people to move!!.  Preparing to lift Anyway, we achieved it and then it was possible to lift the bolster off the truck.
So now the springs that are to be replaced are free and clear.
Small snag - the truck must also be examined for damage or cracks which means removing 50 years of hardened grease and muck.
Meanwhile Rick was completing the cover over the vertical lathe to protect this during the winter.  Protection for the lathe We were also able to progress a number of machining tasks. Thanks everyone for a very productive day's work Nigel Saturday, November 26. 2011TMS Project - November 25, 2011I happened to stop by our site in Union and found a lot of activity. As mentioned previously, every day brings changes and progress on this project. Mike Stauber was out early and began doing more cleanup and needlechipping on the disassembled number two truck, and was helped by Frank Sirinek. (It was windy but certainly above normal temps for late November)  Moving Day The sideframes for this truck are in the shop area and previously primed. Here, Mike and Frank are moving them to a different area on the floor.  Like New In short order, Mike and Frank had some finish paint on them, and they looked like new. You might see the new steam cleaner sitting behind then in the shop, brand new, and kept out of the weather. Thursday, November 24. 2011TMS Project - November 23, 2011 Spring Forward As usual, Henry Vincent seems to be the 'go to guy' whenever any job or project needs some help. Here Henry and Frank Sirinek are sitting down on the job, as they apply the first finish paint to the springs and other parts dismantled and cleaned up, then primed, for the second motor truck of 972. You will note it is reddish brown which has been determined the appropriate color for the era of this restoration. Long time visitors to IRM may remember seeing the trucks under the car a dark green, not so this time around. It is really an amazing amount of work going on for this project, almost every day in the shop you see activity and progress. Also yesterday, the new steam cleaner was in action, after the bolsters and other truck parts had been disassembled. And we can confirm that the new tires and old wheelsets all arrived safely at the machine shop. Stay Tuned!!! |
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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 [...]