Over the past several weeks, the Motor Bus Department has been focusing on the CMC 605. Vince Allen, Fred McGullam and John LeBeau have been concentrating on finding a troublesome issue in the fuel system. Last weekend they finally found it - a cracked section of the fuel line. After much struggling to get the damaged section out, a new section was purchased. When they went to install it, the connector on the older section they were attaching it to broke off. Next weekend it's back to the parts store for more line material. They HOPE to have it completed by Labor Day weekend and a visit from the Omnibus Society. Although we can't give group rides due to insurance limitations, we would like to have it (and a couple other coaches) operating and moving around the grounds for the group.
On the trolley bus side, preparations continue for our scheduled operation on Saturday, September 05 and Saturday, September 19. The plan is to operate Chicago Marmon-Herrington 9553 on the 5th, and if repairs on the 9631 are complete, both Chicago Marmons on the 19th. Repairs are a little behind schedule so we can't make any promises.
On a completely different front, over the past year or so, the staff at the Strahorn Library has worked feverishly to get it presentable for the ATRRM Convention we are hosting in mid-September. Curator Barbara Lanphier along with her volunteer staff; Dave Anderson, Arlyn Booth, Jan Galayda, Jim Griffith, Carla Harms, Carl Lanz, Cheryl Lint and Gary Olson have done a remarkable job in making the library a place we can all be proud of. There are several benefits from this effort. Not only does the Strahorn look neat and organized, but it also projects an image of confidence to potential donors who may be looking for a worthy place for their collections. They have also just about completed the inventory of surplus books. Some of these are sold through the Used Book Store to benefit projects around the museum and others are sold directly through the library, which benefits its continued operation. Look for a sale list very soon!!! If you get a chance, stop in and see the progress (and maybe buy that elusive book you have been looking for). We think you will be VERY pleased. The library is open on Wednesdays from 10:00am until 2:00pm.
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 [...]