Passenger Car Department

It was a warm, beautiful day on Saturday, July 19th; the start of the Diesel Days event. There were many photographers on the grounds of IRM to capture the impressive Diesel Days action.

Action packed Diesel Days event had photographers looking every direction - Photo by Chuck Trabert

Shelly Vanderschaegen and John McKelvey spent the entire day in preparation for restoration of six more bench seats for the Henrietta, RI 2612. Shelly removed upholstery tacks and installed metal bandings on seat springs as needed to secure them in position. John connected bands made of tarp from the top of the springs to the edge of the seat frame top to hold the springs in place and then applied epoxy to tack holes and areas of missing wood.

Mark Gellman, Ray Mormann, and Michael Baksic drilled holes in the refitted door which is now installed in the Birmingham giving access to the vestibule which abuts the Pacific Peak. After installing the hinges, the door was installed then spray painted silver as it hung inside the Birmingham. The exterior side of the door may need further work. Kevin Kriebs painted the door handles prior to installation.

Jon Habegger was at his post in the 1st Exhibit Car talking to visitor. Mike McCraren was conductor on the coach train which included the CMStP&P Milwaukee Road Dynamometer X-5000 car, the Chicago & North Western 7700 lightweight coach/baggage car, and three passenger coaches, all pulled by Burlington Northern BN-1 and BN-2 diesel electric locomotives. BN-3 pulled the C&NW bi-level Gallery cars on a second coach train.

BN-2 couples with the Dynamometer for one of the coach trains - Photo by Chuck Trabert

Diesel Days coach train pulled by BN-1 and BN-2 with the X-5000 and 7700 - photo by Chuck Trabert

Prior to the Diesel Days events, visitors were able to go inside the Dynamometer while it was waiting for the train to fully form. Passengers were carried inside the Dynamometer during the daily coach train rides. Warren Newhauser and Brian LaKemper were on hand to answer questions. Chuck Trabert rode on the first trip of the day then took photos.

Prior to coach train operation, visitors were able to take a look inside the X-5000 - Photo by Chuck Trabert