Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Report from Brian LaKemper:
On 4/12 Brian Patterson and I did work inspecting cars for the season and outlining needed repairs before cars go into service. Cody Z. from steam land assisted. All service cars except the Silver Train have been inspected and needed repairs noted and some repairs made. More work will be needed before the beginning of the coach train season.

Elsewhere on the property, Buzz was working on the turbine, JD and Cody were working on 1630's stoker, and CTA 4290 was getting its inspection.

Saturday, April 18th: Brian Patterson attended the morning rules review, meanwhile I started work with Mark G. on removing the defective fittings from 2612. After lunch, myself, Brian P, Mike M, Kevin Brown, and others attended the annual safety meeting conducted by Harold Krewer and Jeff Fryman.

While others took the rules test, I went back to work on 2612, with help from Phil from the steam department. With a lot of heat and mechanical persuasion, the rusted fittings finally came loose. Afterwards, I worked on the X-5000, changing an air hose, and other minor housekeeping. I also traced out a problem with Galt House's handbrake not applying, apparently at some point during it's travels, it was decided that the way to release the handbrake was to torch through the handbrake chains!

Rich, Greg, and Joe watch as Brian P. runs the controller and the machine spins engaging its many different contacts - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Frank, Joel, and an unidentified person discuss the new training machine - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Joe watches the revolving device spin around - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Rich and Brian (almost out of sight) discuss the CTA controller - Photo by Brian LaKemper

On Sunday 4/19, I removed one of the torched chains from the Galt House for repair by our metal working experts in the steam shop, and took the removed pipe to the shop for inspection. Big thanks to the steam shop for fixing the chain. I also removed a leaking valve stem from one of the conductor's valves on the X-5000 and flipped the double wear gasket to attempt to solve the leak.

Elsewhere on the property: after the annual meeting, several volunteers gathered in the electric car shop to try out the L car maintenance trainer. Turns out to be a very effective way of entertaining volunteers.

In the steam shop, work was ongoing on 1630's tender and cab floor, in addition to work on 428's axle boxes. The hydraulic planer is functional at last, though it still needs fine tuning.

Report from Michael McCrarren:
On Sunday 4/19, Brian Patterson dropped by and talked to Kevin Kriebs who was working on the lantern display. Except for some minor additions, the exhibit is ready to open.

The last two Sunday we opened the china exhibit to the public and have gotten very good reviews. People are amazed at the variety of china we have on display. They also love looking at the menus to see what was served. The exhibit will have a formal opening on May 2.

Brian Patterson dropped by and talked to Kevin K who was working on the lantern display - Photo by Michael McCraren

Visitors investigate the new railroad china display - Photo by Michael McCrarren

More visitors admiring the 1st Exhibit Car displays - Photo by Michael McCrarren

Report from Shelly Vanderschaegen: On Sunday April 5th, Shelly worked on an Ely window frame and began cleaning in the Birmingham.

On Sunday, April 19th, Ray Mormann and Michael Baksic nearly completed their project in the Birmingham. Kevin was putting lanterns in the new lantern display cases.

Wood from the Ely window Shelly stained - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Michael Baksic working on a wiring project inside the Birmingham - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Ray Mormann is in the attic passing wire down to Mike - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen