Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Michael McCraren Reporting: On Saturday, Michael McCraren, Paul Machette, Mark Gellman, Mark Hoffman and Brian LaKemper attended a train show in Davenport, IA. On the way back, Michael, Paul and Mark did some "research" on current passenger trains by taking some action shots of the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief passing through Mendota, IL. After all, someday these cars will be at IRM. They also visited the depot museum there.

California Zephyr - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

Southwest Chief - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

Passengers boarding the Southwest Chief - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

On Sunday, more graphics and a few pictures were added to the china exhibit. The big news is that we have added 2 rare service plates to the display for opening and a third that will arrive in the summer. The two new plates that will be there at the opening are an Illinois Central service plate used on the Panama Limited and the Daylight Limited (the fore runner of the City of New Orleans) in the 1920's, and another service plate from the Golden Rocket. After World War 2, the Southern Pacific and Rock Island were planning a replacement for the Golden State called the Golden Rocket. The Rock Island had ordered the china and cars but before the train could be started the Southern Pacific backed out. The china and cars were using on the Golden State. We have obtained a service plate from that still born train. A third service plate will be coming this summer. A hint is that the plate is from a well known, upscale, private dining room that was best ever on the rails.

Illinois Central service plate - Photo by Michael McCraren

Service plate from the Golden Rocket - Photo by Michael McCraren

Other work inside the 1st Exhibit car includes the picture history of Union Station Chicago where progress continues with the hand built sign going up along with the pictures and the cabinet for the upcoming lantern display was completed. Buzz M. and Kevin K. did a nice job building the cabinet.

Work on the picture history of Union Station Chicago continues - Photo by Michael McCraren

The cabinet that will hold the lantern exhibit is completed - Photo by Michael McCraren

Brian LaKemper reporting: On March 22nd, Mark Hoffman, Brian Patterson, and Brian LaKemper worked on the 556 again. Mark did more interior sanding, followed by priming some of the ceiling panels.

The two Brians worked to replace the last missing components of the brake system; however, a minor setback meant that we had to fabricate two pipes instead of just one, as during the process of pulling off a fitting to use as a guide, an adjacent pipe was found to have severe corrosion issues. Many thanks to the steam shop for help, encouragement, and use of tools to make both replacements. One of the replacement pipes was installed under the car, the other will be installed once we acquire the remaining fitting to attach it. Slow but steady progress overall.

Elsewhere on the property, Joy #2 was over the electric car pit for removal of the torque converter and clutch assembly. By the end of work, the torque converter was out of the pit and on a cart; but the clutch was stubborn and could not be removed.

Work was being done on Michigan Electric 28, UP 428 was having an axlebox set up for machining, and other projects were ongoing.

This update from the Passenger Car Department was provided by Michael McCraren...

Mark Gellman and Michael McCraren have taken over the task of preparing the graphics for the railroad china display in the 1st Exhibit Car. On Sunday, March 15th, Michael's niece, Patrice Connelly, joined them to help with the mounting of the graphics.

Mark Gellman is spraying the backing with adhesive - Photo by Michael McCraren

Mark is placing the graphic on the backing - Photo by Michael McCraren

Here Mark is rolling the graphic flat - Photo by Michael McCraren

Mark is cutting the graphic off the larger backing sheet - Photo by Michael McCraren

Mark is lining up the t-square for the trim - Photo by Michael McCraren

Marking the cut - Photo by Michael McCraren

The finished graphics being test fitted on the wall - Photo by Michael McCraren

Patrice Connelly cutting china pattern labels - Photo by Michael McCraren

The finished pattern labels up for the Milwaukee Road Traveler artifacts - Photo by Michael McCraren

Work continued on a photo history of Union Station and Kevin Kriebs painted the north wall in the front of the 1st Exhibit Car. He also worked with Buzz Morrisette on the lantern display which will also go up in the 1st Exhibit Car.

In other news, Ray Mormann and Michael Baksic have been working on the Birmingham diner. Shelly Vanderschaegen and Michael B. are refinishing a window for the Ely.