Illinois Railway Museum Blog

I would like to thank all the members and friends of IRM that have contributed support over 2011.  Your time and donations are what make projects work!  That goes for the Freight Department and the Wood Shop where I spend most of my time, and for any project or activity on our campus.  There are major projects in almost every department that are close to being completed and we have every reason to expect some exciting announcements and developments in 2012.  If you have been reading these BLOG posts you know what many of them are.

THANK YOU, but the work is not done yet - we appreciate your continued support.

It may not be politically correct but it is how I was raised and part of what I am, so - -

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sometimes you work for weeks and wonder what progress you have to show for it.  Sometimes all that prep work comes together quickly and shows gratifying results.  Such is the way of restoration work.

First Rear Marker

The crew got busy early with Rod Turner on the ladder and Eric Lorenz working from the ground.  New threaded inserts had to be installed to allow the marker lights to be installed - we hoped.

Right Marker

Eric was up on a ladder most of the day, here wrestling the right rear marker into place.

New Step

Meanwhile Alex Randow was working to mount several other items.  This one is a fold up step to access the roof, here mounted on the side behind the exit doors.  There are only three of these to scale the height, and not much to balance upon if you were the unlucky guy that had to climb up there.

On the Roof

This is another of the items installed by Alex.  Once up all the steps you were considered lucky to grab this rung and haul yourself upright.  Woe be to you if it was rainy or snowy.

Rear End

Now to see what the opening paragraph was all about.  Here is the rear end of the car with most of all the accessories and parts installed.  Rear windows, retriever bracket and retriever, two rear marker lights, two rear stop lights, and the three rear bumpers.  It looks like a complete car!!