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Saturday, February 22. 2014February 16th - Another Fun and Snowy Day at IRMThe day started as Curater Michael Baksic epoxied the vestibule closet door in the 2nd Exhibit Car. Previously Shelly had epoxied and sanded half of the door. Shelly took all the photos today except those attributed to others.  Mike Baksic applying epoxy to the vestibule closet door While the vestibule closet door dried, Kevin Kriebs began priming the vestibule between Exhibit Cars 1 and 2.  Kevin Kriebs applying primer to ceiling in the vestibule between the Exhibit Cars  Kevin applying primer to walls in the vestibule Jon Habegger helped Shelly Vanderschaegen put picture frames together while Mark Gellman and Michael Baksic sanded the vestibule closet door after it was dry.  Mike and Mark Gellman sanding the vestibule closet door Later Michael, Ray Mormann and Mark went through the Birmingham diner fixing tables that had missing screws, needed to be tightened, etc. They brought a table top to Shelly to epoxy the edges and Michael also applied epoxy to a table top.  Mike applies epoxy to a Birmingham table while Jon Habegger looks on Lunch in the Birmingham was almost back to normal with humor and many smiling faces.  Lunch in the Birminham with Jon, Michael McCraren, Mark, Kevin, Ray Mormann, and Mike Baksic Michael McCraren continued his work in the Pacific Peak. He reports that he is getting close to priming. Michael took some photos of the snowfall that day and you can see the mounds of previous snow that had piled up. Mark Gellman also captured a snow picture to post.  Taken 2/16/14 from the steam lead looking at the door leading into Barn 9 from Mike McCraren  Looking south towards barns 7 and 8 on 2/16/14 from Mike McCraren  Looking east on 2/16/14 towards Electric Park from Mike McCraren  Looking north toward the station with a 10 ft pile of snow by Barn 3 on 2/16/14 from Mike McCraren  Snow pile at museum entrance 2/16/14 from Mark Gellman After lunch Kevin was priming the vestibule again but discovered that condensation had formed a layer of ice so that was the end of the work day.  After lunch Kevin was priming the vestibule again  Kevin encountered a winter priming problem  Condensation formed ice inside the vestibule Thursday, February 20. 2014Steam Department Update 02-15-2014
The report this weekend is entirely second hand as I have been on vacation in Mexico. Thanks to Jim, Phil and Collin for detailed input. The common theme seems to be that, with Nigel out of the way, there was a good turnout and they were able to get a lot done.
As ever, the primary focus is on 1630 and getting everything in top shape for the season:
Jerry spent most of Saturday scraping grease off the frame on the fireman's side of the engine.
Jane put more of the frame in primer. She also painted the portion of the frame that was already put in primer by Jeff.
Trevor crawled under the boiler and cleaned the interior of the frame.
Jim painted one of the two remaining wheels on the engineer's side and the two back wheels on the fireman's side of the engine.
Jane and Jim also put the last wheel on the engineer's side in primer.
On Sunday, Jerry and Jim gave the fireman’s side frames and wheels a final power wash to get ready for full priming on that side. As part of this they tested the painting of the wheels on the engineer’s side. We had some doubts as the paint used is really old but seemed to apply and adhere very well. It also passed this test with no sign of any flaking under high pressure washing.
Intensive work started on the smoke box where we need to fit a thicker gasket on the front ring and Dennis has to fit the spark arrestor assembly into the box.
Removing the appurtenances from the front of 1630 was challenging due to the weight associated with the bell and smoke box door & ring. Typically, we would prefer to use either the large CAT forklift or, preferably, the boom truck to effect such moves, however, that equipment is currently inaccessible due to the accumulation of snow around the property. We therefore made the most of the small shop forklift, which Ralph maneuvered around. Rick, Eric & his Dad rigged the bell and Ralph lowered it down.
Phil & Paul worked on the new smoke box baffling and hardware. This had been assembled in the fabrication area and then had to be disassembled, brought up front to the locomotive, and reassembled. During this time Eric & Collin worked on burning out the netting channels and Paul finished up by grinding to smooth the smoke box interior. Dennis will now be able to plan the replacement of the mounting hardware.
In the evening
Dennis worked on the weld repairs to the cab sides and roof interior.
On the Shay:
Ralph, with help from Jason, removed several brake rigging pieces to allow for access to stay bolts on the throat sheet.
Despite the appearance he is not cutting the rigging but heating a rusted nut to allow its removal. This is a common technique that usually allows even very old and rusted nuts to be removed without sheering the bolt or stud.
After this work the firebox front is clear for work on the stays.
On #428:
Dennis worked on the welding of the boxes and pedestal braces. Work progresses on all of them at once as the most effective method is to weld one until it gets too hot then move on the next. By the time the 4th is too hot you can move back to the 1st.
On Sunday Tom, Cameron, and Philip all worked on machining various parts including the brake rigging.
In other areas:
Jerry and Bob about the planer tried longer bolts in the pump block and this seems to have overcome the problem of the gasket blowing. There are still minor leaks but, unfortunately the table still does not show any sign of moving under pressure. It is hoped that we have found an outside expert who may have some experience of this type of machine and is willing to come by and advise.
Hopefully this coming weekend we can do as well as this with me around, otherwise I will really start to wonder!.
Nigel
Tuesday, February 11. 2014February 8th - A Cold and Snowy Day... But ProductiveThe day started with Mike Baksic and Shelly Vanderschaegen working on the vestibule closet door from 2nd Exhibit Car. First Mike planed off the edge of the previous week's oops, then they took and fitted the door handle faceplate and drilled the holes. Shelly put wax paper down and Mike put the faceplate on it and then screwed the faceplace in place. Then they turned over the door and Shelly whipped up some epoxy and filled in the holes and now it will cure until next weekend in the 1st Exhibit Car which is a bit warmer. Meanwhile, Mark Gellman was showing Ray what had been done in the 2nd Exhibit Car. Jon Habegger was taking pictures.  Mike Baksic and Shelly Vanderschaegen planing the door edge for the 2nd Exhibit Car  Mike lining up the door handle faceplate  Shelly filling in holes on the vestibule closet door  Jon Habegger on hand to help out and take photos Next the group went into the Loch Sloy. Mark, Ray Mormann, and Mike are going from room to room putting in missing screws, putting doors back on track and checking that the lights are working, checking the metal work to be sure everything is in place and so forth.  Ray Mormann repairing a sliding door track in the Loch Sloy  Mike adjusting a berth in the Loch Sloy  Mike and Ray adjusting a door latch in the Loch Sloy  Mike and Ray working on sliding door access panel  Mike replacing screws in Loch Sloy compartment  Mark Gellman explaining door mechanics to Jon Habegger Michael McCraren continued his patient work in Bedroom F of the Pacific Peak. (All images below are from Bedroom F.) He joined the rest of the gang for a chilly lunch in the Birmingham, as did Buzz Morisette.  Left side of the hallway leading into Bedroom F - this shot shows every color the room was painted  Right side of the hallway and the wall by the divider  Wall by the divider showing some stainless steel |
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Comments
Fri, 03-29-2024 21:26
We're slackers and spend more time working on the equipment in the shop than keeping all you readers updated. We'll work on it, but I'm sure updates [...]
Thu, 03-14-2024 08:02
What happened to the Department Blog? It's been over 2 years and I still regularly check for updates, but nothing comes...
Mon, 12-27-2021 16:28
Happy New Year to all the Departments at the Illinois railway Museum! Thanks for all the good work you do in railroad preservation. Ted Miles, [...]
Wed, 10-13-2021 13:33
Was the CB&Q 1309 every transported to IRM?I’ve been reading old issues of Rail&Wire and the car was mentioned several times.
Mon, 06-07-2021 22:40
I was wondering if in the model layout display what scale would you guys be using and would you be displaying model train history as well? Just [...]
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!
Tue, 06-01-2021 16:47
I hope the work will continue on the UP #428. Now that they are the museum's connection to the national railroad network; she would be very [...]
Sat, 04-17-2021 23:07
What is the status of 126, the Milwaukee Buffet car that is in S. Dakota? Any guess on when or if it will get to IRM?
Wed, 04-14-2021 21:09
Perhaps it is time to scrap the remains of the c, B & Q 7128 to make room for the Villa Real. Ted miles, IRM member
Wed, 04-14-2021 15:26
Hi IRM my name is Jason and I was wonder If you guys would be willing to save a CN Dash8-40cm they are currently being retired by CN and being [...]
Fri, 04-09-2021 19:56
Bear in mind that the Nebraska Zephyr is an articulated train set, so cars cannot be inserted at will. Although cars and/or a second engine could be [...]
Wed, 03-31-2021 11:37
I believe Silver Pony is currently on the back burner, and has been put into storage in one of the barns. The car needs a lot of work done to it's [...]