Illinois Railway Museum Blog

The first thing Curator Michael Baksic did was to modify and install a light fixture in the 2nd Exhibit Car. Then while Michael and Kevin Kriebs talked about the painting work, Shelly Vanderschaegen got things ready for Kevin to paint the first coat of tan in the vestibule.

Mike Baksic modifying a light fixture for the 2nd Exhibit Car

Kevin first painted the vestibule closet door and then started on the walls and ceiling in the vestibule.

Kevin Kriebs applying tan paint to vestibule door

Kevin began applying the 1st coat of tan paint to the vestibule

Kevin applied tan to the seams and hard to reach spots first

Jim Windmeier stopped by to speak with Michael about working with Jon Habegger in the Exhibit Cars. Jon and Shelly then visited with Jim in Barn 4 to discuss displays in the exhibit cars.

Mike Baksic speaking with Jim Windmeier in the 1st Exhibit Car

Then Shelly worked on a shadowbox display for the Birmingham while Michael did paperwork. Later Mark Gellman and Michael put a lock on a door in the 2nd Exhibit Car.

Mark Gellman and Michael Baksic installed a lock on a door in the 2nd Exhibit Car

Lunch in the Birmingham included Nick Kallas and his friend Marcus Reuf, Mark Gellman, Jon Habegger, Michael McCraren, Kevin Kriebs, Shelly Vanderschaegen and Michael Baksic. Michael McCraren brought homemade rosemary garlic flatbread and biscuits to share at lunch.

Conversation at lunch included the Rock Island commuter cars currently located in Texas which will be coming to IRM for spare parts and use on the Terror Train. Nick and Marcus finshed wheel chocks that will be used in Galveston, TX on the Rock cars there.

Nick Kallas admiring new wheel chocks

Easily amused by wood scrap, a crowd gathers around Nick

Nick Kallas and Marcus Ruef admire freshly painted chocks

Jon and Shelly had assistance from Tim Peters to cut the plexiglass for the barrier around the Union Station sign in the 1st Exhibit Car. Then Jon and Mark finished putting the barrier together. All that remains is to sand the wood and stain it, then final assembly.

Jon Habegger and Mark Gellman appear to be dancing with plexiglass for the barrier

Mike and Jon hold the plexiglass while Mark secures the frame

The Union Station Arrival and Departure Board near the end of the day

Michael McCraren continued his work in the Pacific Peak. Kevin had applied the first coat of tan paint in the vestibule between the exhibit cars by the afternoon having switched from brush work to a roller.

By this time Kevin had nearly finished the 1st coat of tan in the vestibule

Jon Habegger captured an image of the exterior of the Exhibit Cars on this cold day.

Outside the Exhibit Cars