|
|
Monday, March 12. 2012News and Views - March 10, 2012Lazy me - or just short of time this week. But I am going to report on several different projects in this single BLOG ENTRY.  Finally, A Brake I would be embarrassed to chronicle the time spent on this project but suffice it is longer than 3 years. And no, that time was not consumed by delays and wasted time at IRM. But here is the first sample new brake shoe created for Chicago Surface Lines 3142. This is a special design produced to a pattern made in our IRM wood shop by Buzz Morisette.  On the Car A sample shoe was immediately tested for fit on the car, sitting over the inspection pit in Barn 4. It fit almost perfectly, so good that we were pressed to find something to correct in the geometry.  Steamy Windows Victor Humphreys is smiling at the two new windows made for Norfolk & Western 2050. Smiling with satisfaction at completing them, but also at the prospect of not having to tackle those again!  972 Truck Progress continues to made on the rebuilding of the TM 972 for our ongoing TMS project. New pins and bushings are completed every week and assembly has progressed to where cleaning and painting of the truck was started. Here, Dan Fenlaciki, Frank Sirinek, and Mike Stauber are on their hands and knees applying primer.  Done And by the end of the day all the parts were substantially completed, looking good in fresh primer.  Illinois Terminal Buzz Morisette continued on his work to restore two doors for one of our Illinois Terminal cars. Once you do a 'pretty good' job there is always the urge to take the next step to get closer to perfection. So a 'quick patch' has turned into a more significant effort.  ME 28 Three fellows from the Michigan Electric 28 work team made a rare Saturday appearance. Here, Ray Schmid works on another of the fancy upper sash windows, cleaning and showing off the prismatic cathedral glass. Some more of the salvaged sash are at the bench beside him.  Spooge Tank What is that??? It is a nickname for an electrolytic process that is fairly effective at removing paint and reversing the oxidation process that results in rust. Some simple washing soda and a 12 volt battery booster are the major items for trouble free rust removal on convoluted and elaborate pieces, not easily stripped by any other process at IRM. Tim Peters is putting the finishing touches on such a rubber lined wood tank at the east end of Barn 4. The SPOOGE? Soon you may see the frothy curd like foam that consists of the removed coatings and rust of the piece that serves as the 'victim', ceiling grills from the interior of CRT 1797.  More Windows Also on the 1797, Tim had to pull these two glued up window frames from the press as another project was waiting for the machine. Do not worry - plenty of time overnight for them to set up and have sound joints. Sunday, March 11. 2012Steam Department Update 3-10-2012Yesterday was a productive session at the Steam Shop. On 1630: Collin did most of the remaining sand blasting while Phil did a great job getting sand back out of the boiler, supported by a number of us who spent the day either pouring 50 lb bags of sand into the equipment or collecting it out of the chute as is was removed !!. We should now be at the point of "tidying up". The back tube sheet, parts of the belly and dry pipe need to be done but, aside from that, it is a case of inspecting and "touching up" any areas that are not clean enough to allow a good inspection. This should be done next weekend. Collin took a few shots inside the boiler where Nigel does not fit. This one shows the critical seam between the rear tubesheet and the firebox crown. Now largely clean, we need to clean back as far as the crown stays next week to allow the complete inspection of this area.
This is the front tubesheet, still closed off by the ply sheets. The cleaning is now done. The area where the sheet joins the barrel has been subject of particular attention as this is an area where there is a particular risk of cracks.
Glenn and his grandson completed the cutting of the super heater flues. A coat of paint on those not already done and this job will be complete.
Work was also progressed on making good the mud ring ready for the firebox patch. Dennis has built up a number of the rivet holes with weld and Mike was grinding the welded areas to allow these to be drilled to provide accurate holes for riveting. Over the next few weeks we expect to carry out the thickness testing and, as soon as the weather looks suitable, pull her outside to sand blast the cab back head. This will also allow much of the accumulated dust to be removed. On the Shay there was a lot of activity: Dennis has been welding during the week and on Saturday. What was initially just the rebuilding of the smoke box has become a much bigger job that demonstrates the joys of inspecting old steam engines!!. We have always known that #5 had a major accident many years ago in which it fell on its right side. As a result of this the motor was replaced and other repairs were required. Possibly as part of this, the transverse beam which carries the locomotive on the front truck was cracked and strengthened with steel plates on both front and back faces. Inspection revealed that this repair was not very well done (although I guess you can say that, having lasted 75 years, it was probably fit for purpose). The plates were not heavily welded to the beam in the center so the plates themselves have now cracked. Clearly this is not good as the weight of the boiler rides on this cracked area. This view clearly shows the patches attached to the beam many years ago and the area where Dennis has cut back thru both the plate and the beam to get to the root of the crack.
The repair involves extensive cutting back thru the plates to the beam where they are cracked and then building up again with a solid body of weld metal. The cutting out has been done on both sides and, by end of day, the rear face had been completely rebuilt. Once the beam is fully rebuilt Dennis can move on the smoke box. Phil made good progress on the truck cleaning. He has now removed much of the dry muck. With the improving weather we will plan to shunt the truck (and 428) out of the South end as soon as possible to use the steam cleaner to blast off the greasy material.
On 428 forming of the steel plates that will be used to rebuild the axle boxes is well under way. Attaching these will be a major job for Dennis once the Shay smoke box is done.
Tom discusses the shaping operation with Cameron and Phil.
Nigel Thursday, March 8. 2012Wood Shop Update - March 7, 2012 Finishing Up The final two recesses have been routed into the new fireman's side window for Norfolk & Western 2050. Dick Cubbage is touching up the last areas by hand - the old fashioned way with some sandpaper.  Fitting Victor Humphreys is doing the final adjustments to fit for the engineer's window for the N&W 2050.  Book Em The above window and the last sash for the Illinois Central 3996 diner were assembled and glued. John Faulhaber helped on this and then completed the task by cleaning up around the shop. So, we are close to closing the books on two shop orders.  Stop Em Mike Alterio and Frank Sirinek were trying to resurrect two hand brake assemblies to be installed on the Chicago and West Towns 141. Other work seen in the shop included George Clark working on new siding for Lake Shore Electric 810, John Nelligan working on Charles City Western 300, and a few more volunteers working on the TM D 13, a traction dump motor. |
Blog AdministrationCalendarQuicksearchSyndicate This Blog |
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 [...]