Great Northern John McLoughlin

We have some progress to finally report on the ongoing restoration of the 8-1-2 sleeper. Mark Hofmann has been wire wheeling and needle chipping the women's bathroom and connecting hallway for the past two months. He was at it again this last Sunday, Oct 27. He worked on grinding off the excess paint on the ceiling where he had previously chipped. This is a very difficult job. First, working overhead with an electric grinding is very painfully. Very quickly your muscles fatigue from the overhead work. Second, the temperature near the ceiling is always hotter at the top. Don't try this in warm weather! It's another reason for fatigue. The heat can be unbearable. That's the reason we accomplish these tasks in either early Fall or Spring. He also finished priming the hallway where months ago he had needle chipped and sanded the area. If you don't prime the area it will soon start rusting. Here are the results of his efforts.

Here is the reason you dont try this in the Summer. Heat rises.

Before the primer is applied

Mark is  concentrating priming the hallway  No runs Mark!  He does good work! 

We are also getting some estimates for making a missing wall panel from R&B Welding of Woodstock, Ill.   Please consider a donation to help defray the costs of manufacturing.    Thank you.      Roger and Mark

Mission accomplished. Mark is admiring his work. Nice job, Mark 

EXTRA!!!! EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steam Locomotive,  Frisco 1630,  our 2-10-0  was test fired for the first time today!  It also moved under its own power!!   Thanks to the men and women  of the steam dept!  A job well done!

A special Thank You to Tom Schneider.