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Friday, August 29. 2014We did It! RI 2612 in the Thomas Train!
Yes, indeed, the 2612 Team pulled off one of the more memorable restorations in the museum history. Many Thanks to all who help in this effort! It wasn't that it was a special restoration no, but it was rather the speed in which the restoration took place. 19 months from a Christmas car to a functional Rock Island coach. That is a very short time line. 19 months, is probably a new record for IRM. Now don't get me wrong in your assumption that everything is complete, painted and functioning. Far from it. But it is now a usable piece of equipment that Irm can use on its the demonstration railroad. Here, then, is a partial list of our teams accomplishments. The interior is almost complete. Most seat frames have repainted parts. 25 seat cushions and seven seat backs have been reupholstered. Two nickel seat frames are of brand new manufacture. Two nickel seat cushions, bottoms and backs have been reupholstered Many of the walkover seat handles are now a polished brass. The ceiling has yet to be painted but all walls are now painted. 40 of the 42 seat frames are installed, 38 of the 50 window frames are installed, and the floor has been painted and repaired. Steam lines are one step closer to being pressurized. Interior lighting was made operational. 42 advertising car cards have been installed. 38 brass window frames have been repaired, painted, glazed w/ new safety glass, and installed. Lastly, 12 window shades have been reinstalled. Did I forget something? Maybe, anyway that is a heck of a list.  Dan Bixler working on car card installation  Daniel Boguse working on the newly installed stairs  Our welder, John, working on the floor repair  Steel subflooring installed  I am watching while Brian and John pour the floor with epoxy cement  Half of the job is done August 13  Four manufactured brand new buffer bars delivered Tuesday, August 12  Here I am holding one bar  Another shot of the bar Notice that the interior lights are on  One bar shown with a large nut to hold it place Hey, they are heavy. Each bar weights about 35lbs apiece  How it might look when installed  This side is all primed . Thanks Howard  Buffer rods being installed Next comes the buffer plate, August 15 2014  Everyones hard work is shown is this one picture. Thomas hauling our coach in the train Saturday, August 16, 2014 Friday, August 29. 2014Second Thomas Weekend Coach Department UpdateAnother big thank you to John McKelvey who continues to work on the Henrietta seats even after Thomas is done. John, you are awesome and we really appreciate your patience and skill! On both Saturday and Sunday, Michael Baksic, Ray Mormann, and Mark Gellman repaired seats in the RDC and will continue this work for the coming weekend. Jon Habegger was greeting visitors and answering questions in the 1st Exhibit Car all weekend.  Jon Habegger in the 1st Exhibit Car - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen Shelly was greeting visitors in the Santa Fe Lounge Car both Saturday and Sunday with some assistance from Andy Townsend. On both Saturday and Sunday, Kevin Kriebs and Michael McCraren took up positions in the Birmingham to talk to people about the Birmingham and dining cars in general. A temporary display of railroad china used in dining cars was setup on one table. This china came from the collections of Mark Gellman, Kevin Kriebs and Michael McCraren. The china will make up the core of an exhibit scheduled to open next year in the Exhibit Cars featuring railroad dining cars. During Saturday afternoon a strong thunderstorm hit IRM and guests took shelter in the Birmingham and Pacific Peak. Kevin and Michael M. gave soda and water to anyone who needed refreshment while Mark handed out cook hats to the kids.
 Kevin Kriebs greeting visitors in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren  During a thunderstorm Mark Gellman handed out cook hats to kids - Photo by Michael McCraren  Temporary railroad china display in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren  Close-up State Capitals service plate from the Missouri Pacific. The Capital building of every state the Missouri Pacific pass though is shown, Illinois is in the 5 oclock position - Photo by Michael McCraren Sunday, August 24. 2014Freight Department Summer UpdateFilling in for Bob K. with help from Pauline Trabert this is Buzz with a Freight Dpt. Summer progress post. The photos are all from Wednesday August 20th. I worked on several various items this week including lamp shade repair for the X-38, patching holes in Soo-5001's roof, and testing a wood sealer on CNW 10494 wood caboose. Over the last year Dave H and I worked to cover our CNW 10494 wood caboose with recycled barn sheathing. It was a low cost and low maintenance way to preserve this car for future restoration. Next to treat and paint the ends.  CNW Cab - Photo by Buzz Morisette Dave seen here has started chipping, brushing, and priming under the south wing of the X-38 snow plow. Hot hard work here, I think he needs a hand.  Dave - Photo by Buzz Morisette Victor was inside the plow continuing to paint the restored interior car siding.
 Victor - Photo by Buzz Morisette This picture from last June shows the hole from removing rotten floor boards.  Floor boards open - Photo by Buzz Morisette Behind Victor you can see the repaired and painted closet door and the repaired floor with the reservoir tanks back in place. It took some planning to jack the heavy tanks up off the floor and then replace the floor under them safely.  Repaired floor - Photo by Buzz Morisette The Wednesday crew was making good progress on prepping our ICG caboose for new paint. Bill and Rick stopped for a moment for me to snap a picture.  Bill and Rick of the Wednesday Crew - Photo by Buzz Morisette Working on the south side of ICG-199458 Lee brushes the far sill while Dan sands below the cupola.  Lee and Dan - Photo by Buzz Morisette Ed was working the high iron brushing under the roof edge. This caboose received new wheels last year and is popular with operating crews and passengers because of the open vestibules to stand out on.  Ed working the high iron - Photo by Buzz Morisette Also saw Bill again at the X-38 plow getting ready to start lettering the north side. Bill offered to fill in for Bob K. who is still recovering from a broken leg.  Lettering X-38 plow - Photo by Buzz Morisette We miss you Bob, get well soon!! August 24th, 2014 Buzz Morisette. |
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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 [...]