Passenger Car Department

                                                   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.

            Hello to all of you. I"M BACK!!!!      It sure has been an interesting August!     My entries in this Blog have almost been nonexistent until now. Let me explain.    First, my  1/1/2 year old computer bite the dust.  Why?   Don't ask me?    I turned it off then turned it back on and BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!     Well, that's not good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     I'm sure some of you can relate. The Motherboard or processor died!!!  Well, after visiting Best Buy about 6 times, calling Verizon about the same amount of time and visiting the Park Ridge library.  I can finally say I am back on line.  It sure was a struggle.  My reception still is not to good.  Between the airplanes flying by and all the interference in my house [hot water pipes for heating] and neighbors online, it sure is very difficult to get connected.       THEN on top it.  The most tragic event finally happened.  My 95 year old dear mother passed away Aug 26, 2013.   Margaret  died at  home in her kitchen where she spent much of her life, cooking, baking, washing dishes by hand, and chatting to friends and relatives as they came into our home.  I am sure many of you can relate w/ this. Mom had Alzheimer's and I was her caregiver. Many thanks to IRM for sending flowers and Thanks for all the kind thoughts and words that many of you have expressed to me at the museum!!!! My life now is changing!            Anyway...... to catch up.          The Day Out W? Thomas was very successful this year with beautiful weather. No major incidents, to my knowledge, and we met our goal of placing the RI 2612 in service on the coach time. Like Mark Hoffmann said... " It sure was nice to have the 80 extra seats on the coach train. We needed them"!       Here are a few pictures of the car in service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Thanks again to everyone who helped on the project!     Remember the RI 2612 still needs its track space paid.   Please consider a donation to her fund.         Thanks      Roger Kramer