Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Saturday in the shop was quite busy. We had Gregg W, Mike B, Don P, Rob S, Dan C, Jeron G, Laddie V, Jim W, Cody Z, and myself. Gregg was working in the M-35, as he put it, "putting things back together that he started taking apart 30 years ago." Mike and I started out bolting the platforms that were painted the day before back into the 504 and painted the top of them along with the bolts. Don changed out some broken toggle switches for the nose and cab dome lights in 1848.

Photo: Dan taking measurements on UP 1848.

Jeron, Mike, Don and myself went outside and chipped and dug out a handful of switches and the doors on track 22 so we could move 1848 and 504 outside to test. After they were moved outside using 8537, our trusty 45 tonner, we started 1848 and 504 to let them warm up. Later on Dan tested the rectifier modules that were replaced on 1848 under self load, all worked well there, although there was an issue with specific throttle positions missing some engine speed changes, likely something with the A valve on the governor. We'll look into that soon. On 504 we just wanted to test out the cab heaters, which worked great.

Back in the shop, Laddie, Rob and Dan moved the controller from CNW 1518 from the bench up into the cab. Rob continued working on sandblasting cab parts of the 411. Jim and Don watered the batteries of 33 and put it on the charger since it has been a while since that was done. Later on, all of us started cleaning up various materials around the shop, moving a lot of material for the 33 further down the aisle to allow room to work next to 33. A lot of parts that have recently arrived were moved to where they go. A lot of electrical parts that we won't likely use for a while were moved from the parts room to a crate. A lot of general shop cleanup happened until late in the evening.

Photo: The controller of CNW 1518 placed on the cab.

We even plugged in a backlit number board for Milwaukee Road 197 that someone dropped off a while back. Anyone know if it is still around?

Photo: MILW 197 number board.

The first day of the new year it was just myself and Evelina spending a few hours in the shop this afternoon. Evelina stopped by to paint a bunch of targets for the some switch stands in the heated shop, but also helped out on 504 in between letting coats of paint dry. The main goal was to put the cab heater on the fireman side back together with new gaskets and hose couplings to replace the dry rotted ones pulled off a few days ago. After cutting everything to size and putting new hose clamps on the bottom hoses, the cab heat system was charged with water. Just a couple of little areas weeped a bit, and tightening the flanges thoroughly appears to have solved that. The next step is to start it up whenever the next time happens to be and try it all out.

Photo: The FM side heater repairs.

Since the heater work went rather quickly, we started working on the platform that goes between the front of the main generator and the back wall of the front electrical cabinet. This is something that has been on the list to complete since 504's restoration a several years ago. Evelina wire wheeled the two halves, primed them all and painted the bottom side. Meanwhile, I spend some time drilling and tapping 15 of the 22 broken bolts that hold the platform halves to the framework in the engine compartment. We needlechipped and wire wheeled, then primed those areas in the engine compartment. Tomorrow I'll finish installing and painting the platforms, which will finally complete this small project.

Photo: The platform that goes behind the electrical cabinet.

Photo: The frame that supports the platform.