Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Dover Lounge Before Shades Were Installed

The Passenger Car Dept is progressing on a number of projects, albeit slowly.

Jack Biesterfeld has returned from an interesting vacation and is again concentrating on the B&M 1094 wood cafe-diner. With the help of Mike and his crew they removed the non-historic sink and cabinets in the kitchen. Whew, was it ever a HEAVY cast-iron sink. It just made it out the door!

Last week, Mike and Ray repaired the damage to the CNW 7700 combine, caused by a train crew. A new angle cock and air brake line were installed replacing the bent one. The new angle valve cost about $200. It took most of the day to repair the damage. Hopefully, the crew is more careful next time.

Nancy Ring was out cleaning exterior and interior windows on the ATSF 2544. Boy, did they need it! Bob Opal and crew were cleaning some of our service coaches. More exterior windows were cleaned!

Mark Hoffman was prepping more wall area in the Lack car for future priming. He also needlechipped a wall area in the JOHN MCLOUGHLIN women's bathroom. Roger also primed a small area on the roof and installed 2 painted  metal strips for the diaphragm.

Bob Hunter again was working on the Dover in stalling shades. Phil was also working on the Dover towards the future conversion of the electric system from historic DC to common AC.

Earlier in the day, Shelly and Phil cleaned the Ely then in turn cleaned, repaired and installed new bulbs in all 3 drumhead signs at the west end of barn 3. Their lighting really creates an atmosphere. The coach dept is looking for another drumhead. Would anyone like to donate one? We need one for display. It looks like you're walking into the train shed at Union Station in 1943!

Lastly, Mark Gellman and crew were working on the display cars over in yard 5. Nice work Mark! More Progress to come in the following weeks.

LAKE CITY is really coming! In May? Yes, I hope. Please.....send your donations for this rare beauty!! Thanks for reading.

Roger Kramer