Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Today we spend a few hours working on CNW 411 to reconnect the HEP radiator piping, temperature probes and various other clamps. The piping consisted of 4 flat gasketed connections, one to each radiator header, one hose coupling, one dresser coupling and two marmon couplings. The two temperature probes are for the fans, low speed and high speed. All the shrouds and air flow deflectors will be reinstalled after we verify there are no leaks later in the spring. Here are a few photos.

Photo: Looking straight up to the tight quarters where one pipe connects to a header.

Photo: The temp probes and a couple of couplings.

Photo: Another pair of couplings and connection to a radiator header.

Photo: Mike B tightening one of the couplings on the return side.

Today was a short day in the shop due to a museum planning meeting taking place in the morning. The plan was to repair the hot water cab heaters in the Illinois Terminal 1605. We're not sure how longs it's been since they've been used since we primarily operate in warm weather. Last year while moving one of the unit coal trains, it would have been nice to have in mid April. Anyway, Mark R and I started on replacing the bad hose couplings between the bottom of the heater cores and the supply and return pipes that run through the floor. The conductors side had one replaced while the engineers side had both replaced.

Photo: The conductor side, with band clamps removed, shows signs of leaking on the left hose coupling.

Photo: The fan with disconnected motor, control switch and resister.

Photo: The engineer side with new hoses.

After replacing the hoses, we checked the motors and found the conductors side not even wired in place and loose bolts holding the motor in place. Dan C joined for a bit to figure out why we didn't have power to the heater breaker, but as it turns out, this GP7 has that wired to the aux gen, so it'll only get power to the cab heat fan motors if the locomotive is running. Jumpering from the battery knife switch temporarily, the motors and switches worked normally.

Next up was to replace a 10 inch section of 1 inch pipe on the cab heat supply pipe that had been removed and plugged. Mark worked on removing the plug and union while I cut and threaded the pipe nipple. The rest went together very easily. While showing Mark where the drains were located, we noticed a 1-1/4 inch union that was disconnected near the rear of the locomotive where the cab heat return line goes back into the engine room. The threads on the union were damaged, so it was removed. We did not have a replacement in stock, so that will be finished in a few days.

Photo: Mark working in the tight quarters under the walkway.

Sunday a few of us plan on reconnecting a number of items to the CNW 411 HEP radiator hatch. If anyone wants to lend a hand, we'll be at the shop by 10:30am.

Jamie

Just a quick update from last night on Wednesday evening...the batteries recently installed into 7525 were cabled up and everything tested successfully, so that project is complete. Next up on this loco is to go through a very thorough cleaning of the traction motors to improve their megger readings.

Photo: Cables connected to the new batteries.

Photo: Our first loco with a computer, which shows a battery voltage of 66 volts.

Last Sunday, Nick D was able to trim the front corner of the 33C's nose that had been previously torch cut and ground everything smooth so the supports and patch can be welded in place very soon.

Photo: Metal grinding and trimming completed on 33C.

Gregg W was also in the shop yesterday painting many parts for the Union Pacific M-35 doodlebug. While those were drying in other areas, he was sanding some wood pieces for another car he is also working on.

Photo: Gregg sanding some wood trim.

This coming Saturday is a meeting day for half the day in the morning, but we still plan on working on some projects in the afternoon and on Sunday. If you would like to volunteer in the shop and help out on the current projects being 7525, 1605, 411 and 33C, let us know!