Diesel Department

Our main goal on Saturday the 5th was to get the rear radiator hatch prepped for removal on Illinois Terminal 1605. One of the six cores has had a small leak for a number of years now, which is why we don't use the locomotive very often. Last year we bought a new double length core, but have not found the time to actually change it. In and out of working with the Army from the 757th Expeditionary Railway Center, who was on site for familiarization and training, we were able to ready everything for removal of the hatch. Our crew was myself, Don P, Jeron G, and Mark S.

Photo: Illinois Terminal 1605, an EMD GP7.

We had to disconnect the pipes off the front of the radiators, which required removing the coupling hoses on the pipes that lead to the front radiator hatch. The fan cables had to be disconnected. The rear pipe and elbows from the headers and the venting pipes all had to be removed. All the bolts on the top of the hatch were also removed.

Our plan is to remove the hatch on Saturday the 19th, remove the bad core and one other, install the new double core, and place the hatch back onto the loco the same day. We'll also work on the normal inspection items that are due as well.

Photo: The rear hatch unbolted.