Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Photo Update:  This is becoming my new hobby - BEAT THE CAMERA.  I used a new camera this week and hopefully the pics will be better.  But the software with the new camera seems not to load properly on my computer with Windows XP OS, in spite of the disc saying it will.  Of course no tech support available on a weekend.  So, after a three hour workaround I think I have the images out of the camera.  I figured there would be a learning curve so my backup plan was to use a USB memory card reader, but even that failed to work with the SDHC card.  UGH!  On to the NEWS - - -

Windows

More progress to report on new windows for the Chicago Great Western X 38 snowplow.  Here, Victor Humphreys and John Faulhaber get ready fire up our BERLIN sander and run eight frames through.  This is the BEFORE pic, and perhaps you can see some of the glue lines and squeeze out.

The AFTER Windows

As usual there is always drama when using century old wood working machinery.  In the end all windows were sanded smooth and finished.  But the machine will need some attention in coming weeks.  We knew the sandpaper on Drum Three was about at the end of its life, and now that is no longer a question.  Time for a change, which is not a trivial investment of time and energy.  You do not have to be a cabinet maker or talented woodworker to do this.  Any skilled backyard mechanic may help.

Related to shop upkeep was the changing of blades int he planer and a thorough cleanup of the innards.  This stuff does not happen by itself.

Next

You may have noticed that the side stiles of the completed frames looked too long, to have had tails on the ends.  This is intentional, part of the process.  Here Victor and William Peterson have helped to trim them all flush.  The final step here was to run a six degree bevel on the bottom member of the frame, to help drain water and to fit the angle of the new sills in the car.

Continuing

We continued the process with William Peterson doing the fussy work and cleanup of the frames after sanding, and Rich Witt starting to cut and fit the newly made quarter round beading that will be used to retain the glass.

Sign Boxes

Eric Lorenz has two of the original sign boxes out for restoration and installation in Cleveland Transit System 4223.  To get the side windows properly installed, there is a great assembly of parts and pieces that all have to fit in concert before the trim work can be completed.  Who would have designed something THIS way?

More Parts

We were all happy to see Lorne Tweed back in town and that he has his priorities right.  Early after his return to the midwest, he was on site and working on the 4223.  He is priming one of the special trim pieces, a one of a kind item to cap the window post immediately behind the motorman's position.

Grab Irons

Victor explains the steps to make new caboose grab irons to William Peterson.  We made a plywood template to get the round bars bent correctly, and now will use that to add blocks for it to serve as a welding jig.  It as all part of the game, plan the work and you are seldom disappointed.

Third Rail Beams

Keith Leitsch and Randy Hicks were caught in the act of working on new third rail beams for Chicago Aurora and Elgin car 36.  The first task of getting the new wood and preparing the blanks for the beams is done.  Now, comes many hours of sawing away parts of them, drilling many holes, cleaning and painting the hardware items, and installing them.  Stay tuned.

Workplace Improvements

Rich Witt is at the new and improved, better equipped Engineering work station.  He is preparing working drawings for two new windows for the B&M cafe car, and it almost looks like a real engineer from the 1920's.  All he needs is a green eyeshade and gaiters for the shirt sleeves.

And of course lots of other work and activity including three new window sash fitted and glued for Chicago Rapid Transit 1024 (by Tim Peters).