Illinois Railway Museum Blog

We made some good progress with annual maintenance and inspections of our rolling stock.

Caboose String

CGW 601, MILW 01984, and UP 3786 arrived on track 41 outside Barn 4 for the work.  All are now considered 'passed' and released for operations on our railroad.

What Is That One

Flushed with this success, we also got CNW 10304 for some work.  The car has seen extensive restoration over many years.  But we discovered a fatal flaw in a cracked coupler casting.  This has taken some time over a few years and involved finding a new coupler and cooperation from the steam shop to fabricate a new cross key.  Victor Humphreys and Dick Cubbage are ready for the 'real work'

The Old Grind

And REAL WORK it was.  After two tries the new coupler shank was installed, only to find the new cross key was a 'tight fit'.  Actually an interference fit as it would not go through the slot.  First, Victor tried grinding  and after that proved not enough, Jeff Calandine went to the steam shop and used a milling machine to re-size it.

Knuckle Puzzle

Dan Fenlaciki is trying mightily to solve a Knuckle Puzzle.  The new coupler shank did not have five key parts for the innards.  It really is not too apparent on how they might all go together and make the coupler work.

Success

Victor Humphreys and Dan Fenlaciki have it all together and the uncoupling lever assembly is assembled to lift the pin and open the knuckle.

Cross Key

Meanwhile, Jeff Calandine, a big guy in a small space, made several trips underneath the car wrestling with the cross key.  In the end, it has been assembled, the car inspection done, and another caboose 'passed' and ready for service.  And one that has not seen any mileage for years, or maybe decades.  NEXT???