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Thursday, July 24. 2014July 16 thru July 20
Our volunteers are coming out more frequently now that the coach is almost finished. We have installed all the brass window frames on one side and have now ordered more glass panes to complete the other side. I have installed 15 shades as well as all the newly polished walkover seat handles. Dan Bixler is almost done painting the brass window splines while Loraine continues sanding around the window frames. Ray, Austin, Shelly and Jane have been assisting John Mckelvey in the upholsterying of new seat cushions and backs. Gary is now on vacation so we won't see him for about 2 weeks. Not to be outdone, Austin, Brian, and Dave, Mark and Andy have been working in the 2602. Please see my Blog concerning that project.  Mary chipping the vestibule wall  Howard is scraping more paint  Here is Howard sanding on the vestibule wall On the exterior, Mary and Howard Geier continue their great work. Mary is needlechiping the vestibule and Howie is sanding the southern exterior. We have also found the original lettering, C.R.I.P. on the vestibule wall, upper left hand corner on the door side and I have talked to Buzz about duplicating the style, color and height.  One chipper and one sander  Loraine in the act of chipping  Looking at the exterior with all windows in UP position  The interior with windows and polished seat handles The next big project is hiring a welder to install stairs and decking on the western end. Stay tuned! I'll have some important info on that subject in my next blog. Thanks Roger Tuesday, July 22. 2014Passenger Car Department Diesel Days ReportIt 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 Sunday, July 20. 2014 |
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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 [...]