Illinois Railway Museum Blog

It was another day of steady progress in the Steam Shop. 

The Winter continues to cause challenges that we have to work around.  In the last week, we have lost the water supply to the shop.  Thank Heavens we had largely completed what we needed to pressure wash.  However, we will need a substantial water supply for equipment cleaning within a few weeks, as we spray paint the boiler and cab.  So we monitor the thaw with great concern.  

Some idea of the snow around the site –

Anyone fancy a cold coke?

On a separate issue, a number of people have expressed surprise that my name does not appear on the list of candidates for the upcoming museum board election.  I have to admit that this was an error on my part in missing the deadline to return the acceptance of nomination form.

On 1630

Painting of the lower areas continued at a rapid pace.

The walkways on the fireman’s side were needle chipped, wire brushed and primed.  Hopefully one of the team will be able to topcoat during the week, as this is an area that we use quite frequently.  So it would be best for it to be finished and fully hardened before the weekend.  In addition, as shown below much of the pilot is now in primer.

Dennis points out where to cut

Collin, under guidance from Dennis, cut and ground out the last of the old steel mounting points for the spark arrestor from the smokebox.  Phil and Brian then started test fitting the new steel assembly.  Rather as expected, the first fitting into the final position indicated the need for a bit of adjustment by Dennis.  However, the process has started.

The old attachments to be removed

In other areas:

Phil has been making major strides on clearing and freeing up working areas in the shop.  Some of the results are spectacular for those of us who have been around a few years.  The big old workbench on the East side, whose drawers have been unopened for years, has now been cleared and lubricated.  It now provides work space and usable drawer storage!.

Work continued on the planer.  It is now no longer second hand information.  The huge table was moving back and forth smoothly for prolonged periods.  The focus was on fixing leaks in the hydraulic system.  Several have been fixed.  Work continued on a couple that are proving difficult.  This commonly means that the threaded union has suffered damage and must be replaced to get a good seal at the high operating pressure.  Difficult to see how this could be on a machine that was only stripped down about 50 years ago and then left lying in pieces!.

But here it is.  A last check by the proud team.

Bob and Mike check the planer

The huge table starts from the North end.

The cutting stroke starts

…. and surprising quickly it has completed the cutting stroke.  It does not look much but the table is an enormous block of steel yet it moves smoothly and silently from end to end, stopping sharply at each end.

and very quickly it is at the other end

So, after 50 years it is substantially operational again.  Well done guys!.

So steady progress continues for another week.  Now if only the thaw continues!.

Nigel