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Monday, February 24. 2020ARMCO B-71 restoration to beginThe museum acquired this 1930 built Baldwin-Westinghouse Visibility Cab diesel-electric locomotive in 2012. It was moved to IRM in August 2016. On December 14th, 2019, it was moved into the Diesel Shop to begin its restoration.
The first stage is to simply clean out the locomotive. There were several brake valves stored in the engine compartment, along with all the tie down hardware (used to hold the locomotive down to the flat car it arrived on), its foot boards, and other items. The engine room, cab and the floor under the cab were all vacuumed and debris removed.
This cosmetic restoration won't be a quick one, it was moved in the shop to fill a space that would fit its length well. It will make a good fill in project when there are extra hands around and when other projects get put on hold for various reasons like awaiting parts or funding. You can help support these restorations by contributing to the Diesel Department Restoration Fund. Monday, February 24. 2020A Synapasis of Building Construction, Multi Purpose Building UpdateHere are some pictures of the building construction which will house the model railroad display, Milwaukee Road Historical Association displays and the new home for the Pullman Library Archives. The museum should be very proud of this monumental construction project. Dave Diamond has done a marvelous job as general contractor scheduling the various companies to complete this building!  outside brick laying begins  Contractors can install brick but it must be heated in the area.  These contractors are installing the huge heating and a/c plants.  This is what it looks like from the inside as they are laying the brick and cement block.  Window framing is almost done.  Another view from the inside. Please notice the large plastic curtain. That is how the heat is kept in the work area.  Inside the front half of the building. The wall is the divider between front and back half of building.  Close-up view of the exterior.  Another angle  Brick work is almost done the plastic has been removed to show the front of the building.  Another exterior view.  A close up view of the brick work. All the masonry work was being preformed a week either side of the Christmas holiday. Talking to Dave he hopes to have the building interior finished by either late Spring or early Summer of this year. Thanks, Roger Kramer Sunday, February 23. 2020Rotary Update
I am excited to provide an update on one of the major ongoing projects in the steam department, the restoration of Union Pacific Rotary Snowplow 900075. This fall, project leader Jeff Calendine and steam department volunteers separated the tender from the rotary snowplow and prepared it for painting. The tender then went to the diesel shop, where Jamie Kolanowski and other diesel department volunteers worked their magic, yielding the flawless paint job seen here.
 The snow plow being prepared for painting this fall.  Looking sharp!  As the Army switcher shows, this is no small tender.  Check out those stripes! Although this is a major step forward on this project, Jeff informs me that funds are still needed to replace the windows and moldings removed when the plow was retired and to renew the hoses that connect the rotary snowplow to its tender. And, of course, donations are needed to ensure that this project has indoor track space so that this amazing restoration will remain in excellent condition decades into the future. Donations to this project can be made at https://www.irm.org/donations/rotary-snow-plow/. |
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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 [...]