Illinois Railway Museum Blog

                                                   I and a few other members of the coach dept have been using the car department's sandblaster for about three years.   Thank you, Rod, for letting us use the car dept's blaster.   The question was always asked.... WHEN is the coach department getting their own to use?                     That happened early last year [2012] when we received a good used cabinet blaster. But it was never installed and made operational.  This year with the help of new coach volunteers, Brian Gary and Kyle and the old timer, myself, we assembled it, adjusted it, attached it to the small air compressor and plugged it in to house electric power.   AND.... It now works.   It's amazing what a little effort and motivation will produce. My compliments and thanks to everyone involved.  Now the coach department does not have to spend non productive time walking back and forth from the barn 4 car shop. We can instead use that time to sandblast. Here then are just a few examples of the first sandblasted pieces.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         This machine will aid in future restorations and improvements of coach equipment.                     You will see the difference!! Thanks again to Brian Gary and Kyle. I wanted to get this blaster working for many months.  With new members and new energy we did it. Keep reading for more future changes!   Its amazing the results this machine will accomplish!  It sure increases production. Future blogs will show you our progress.     Roger Kramer                                             BTW, please remember to donate to the Barn 14 building fund. It's most important to save what IRM already Has.