Illinois Railway Museum Blog

This is the eighth year of the Terror on the Railroad event at IRM and the Passenger Car Department was prepared for action. Team members Mark Gellman, Michael McCraren, Paul Matchett, and Brian LaKemper have been active on the Terror Train all month and will continue for the last two nights coming up fast. The last weekend for Terror on the Railroad in 2014 is upon us folks, don't miss out!

On Sunday, October 11th, Jon Habegger, Jim Windmeier, and Mark Gellman met to discuss upcoming exhibit changes in the 1st Exhibit car. There are some exciting new displays on the horizon we can all look forward to viewing in 2015.

Michael McCraren took sevearl photos over the last two weekends. He said, "Who would think that in 2014 you would find an F9 engine coupled to classic lightweight passenger cars running at night? On this night (October 11th) Jim West was the engineer and Bob Opal was the conductor."

BN-1 is coupled up to the train followed by a RI coach and the Loch Sloy - Photo by Michael McCraren

The back half the the train - Birmingham, Pacific Peak, Silver Ridge and 9933 - Photo by Michael McCraren

Two of the Halloween actors getting ready in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

Brian LaKemper getting ready to work on the terror train - Photo by Michael McCraren

Welcome to the Birmingham Terror Train Diner - Photo by Michael McCraren

Michael Mcraren: "Since we are doing night operations, reflective vests, jackets and even pants are the fashion of the day. We found three lost cell phones last night. All were found this time. Please put your cell phone away in the safe place when on the train.

Electric Mark Gellman at the end of a long night - Photo by Michael McCraren

On the weekend of October 17th and 18th, in addition to the Terror Train crew as mentioned above, Jeff Caldine helped on Terror Saturday night. In other work, Brian LaKemper checked the underfloor water tanks on the X-5000 to make sure they were drained with the assistance of Austin Harvey. Brian also spent some time looking at the Silver Pony's underfloor equipment to figure out exactly what we have and what we need to make the car's systems functional on their own. Mark G. and Brian took a brief look at the open car project (ex-CB&Q 7128).

On Sunday, 10/19/14, Kevin Kriebs, Mark Gellman, Michael McCraren, and Jim Windmeier discussed how to display china; the working name for this project is "Movable Feast". Around mid-day Buzz Morrisette and Kevin discussed building a display cabinet for the 1st Exhibit Car. Shelly Vanderschaegen spackled holes in the 1st Exhibit Car while Michael Baksic and Ray Mormann cut open a wall by the vestibule steps on the 2nd Exhibit Car to repair corrosion. John McKelvey repaired a berth seat in the Santa Fe Lounge Car and later he and Shelly discussed seat repairs and material to be purchased for reupholstering the lounge car.

Mark Gellman in the kitchen of the Birmingham last weekend - Photo by Michael McCraren

Birmingham actors getting ready for the Terror Train - Photo by Michael McCraren

Pizza made by Michael McCraren for the entire crew on Saturday night - 10/18/14 - Photo by Michael McCraren

Lunch visitors on Sunday, October 19th included Sam Polonetzky, Kevin Brown, and Nick Kallas.

Shelly Vanderschaegen and Michael Baksic at lunch in the Birmingham on 10/19/14 - Photo by Michael McCraren

Nick Kallas with Ray Mormann at Sunday lunch in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

John McKelvey sitting in the sunshine - Photo by Michael McCraren

A favorite visitor, Kevin Brown came for lunch on 10/19/14 - Photo by Michael McCraren

Mark Gellman in highly visible gear is sitting near Nick - Photo by Michael McCraren