Passenger Car Department

Saturday, 9/27/14: Michael McCraren had Brian LaKemper line-training; basically training him to be a conductor. Jim West and Jamie Kolanowski got the streamliner cars out on Saturday,

Sunday 9/28/14: It was a beautiful day. The annual Woodworkers Convention guests were greeted in the Ely by Kevin Kriebs, in the Lake City by Ken Kosen, in the Santa Fe Lounge Car by Lee Evans, Jr., and in the L&N diner "Galt House" by Shelly Vanderschaegen. Thanks to the visitors for attending.

Special thanks to Kevin Brown for bringing nice treats and soda.

Brian LaKemper continued his conductor training on board the "Denver Zephyr", named by Michael McCraren for the day as the car ID numbers for the Silver Ridge and Loch Sloy are both currently marked for the Denver Zephyr, and they had a BN locomotive so it seemed to fit.

Lunch on the rails: There was a special lunch for Coach Department volunteers on the Birmingham while the cars were being tested. Everyone having lunch in the Birmingham enjoyed the name and Brian's announcement as they returned: "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for riding the Denver Zephyr, now arriving at scenic East Union Depot, please exit to the rear"

Lunch on the Birmingham with Mike Baksic, Mike Abernathy, John McKelvey, Jon Habegger, and Kevin Kriebs - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Mike Abernathy brought a chocolate cake - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

The 2612 was wyed, along with X-5000. Mark Gellman, Brian LaKemper, and Jim West handled the switching, with help from Jamie Kolanowski and Mark H. The Milwaukee Road Dynamometer, X-5000 is now in place to begin prep work for getting a new coat of paint.

Thanks to Jim West, Mike Baksic and General Manager Jamie Kolanowski for getting the cars out for a ride down the IRM mainline. The cars were being tested for the upcoming Terror on the Railroad Haunted Event.

Looking east as the Denver Zephyr approaches Karstens crossing - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

Michael McCraren in charge of the westbound Denver Zephyr (note the red glow from the functioning marker lights) - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

Brian LaKemper was the trainman on the Denver Zephyr - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

The Denver Zephyr comes around the diesel shop - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

The Denver Zephyr is about to take the switch into the station, note Mike Blackwell in the distance ready to realign the switches once we get through shop - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

Back in the station, note the reflection of the RDCs headlight on CRIP 2571 - Photo by Kevin Brown using Brian Ls camera

Monday, 9/29/14: Jim Windmeier came out and painted the entire 1st Exhibit Car forward vestibule with the gray paint.

Thanks to Shelly, Mark, and Brian for contributing information and photos for this update.