Yes, we have begun a ritual that has never taken place before in the coach dept. These unusual activities consist of washing and then polishing the car sides of a number of our painted equipment. This has never happened before partly because of the lack of man power and partly because no one was interested and motivated in doing the work. That attitude has changed and we are now bring back that beautiful luster these coaches once had. The past dull surfaces are now more colorful and shinny in appearance. Here is some of the work that has been done and hopefully you see the results this coming Labor day Weekend when a number of the coaches are being operated again. Its really amazing the difference. Be sure to bring your sunglasses for they will shine in the sunlight!!
Would you like to help? Please stop by any Wed or Saturday and we will supply the polish and buffing rags! Thanks Roger
Monday, August 31. 2015
Here is another new function preformed for the coach dept. Two weeks ago Paul Cronin hired, for the first time, professional carpet and upholstery cleaners. Along with my assistance we cleaned the carpets in the ATSF 1534 and the L&N 2726 diner. The Stanley Carpet Cleaning Company actually did all the work!The next week they came out again and cleaned all the hallway carpets in the silver cars located in yard five. From what Paul told me those carpets were equally as dirty! No pictures are available for I was not at the museum on that Thursday.You can just imagine after all these years how dirty the carpet was! The cleaning and rinse water was almost as thick as mud!It does not take long for these carpets to attract dirt with the high numbers of visitors walking thru these displays. We were very happy with the results and will in the future clean these two cars again along with a number of others.
Want to help defray the costs
of the cleaning? Just send a donation and mark it Passenger Coach Dept! Thanks Roger
Tuesday, August 25. 2015
The Mt Harvard recently received a very generous matching grant donation!. This offer was made to us by the MRHA in early June 2015 for the Mt. Harvard. The grant was for a one to one donation! For every dollar donated the MRHA would match it up to $10,000.00. Well we reach our goal!! A Check from the Milwaukee Road Historical Association was recently received by me from Bob Storozuk, President of the MRHA, and then given to our treasurer, Nigel Bennett.
We are still asking for donations for the Mt. Harvard. Hopefully, we will be able to sandblast and paint the roof next spring
with the funds still being donated. Estimate costs are between $15k to $20k to hire a contractor and apply an emron like coating to the roof.
This will protect it for years even if the Pullman is left outside for months.
Please consider the Mt.Harvard in your donation plans!! Thanks Roger
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 [...]