Steam Department

Among the many restorations and building projects in 2019 was the painting of the steam locomotive T&NO #975, a 2-10-2 wheel arrangement. This project, which was started in 2018, was financed by the museum through the general fund. This is an example what can be done by the museum through the hiring of paid employees. A member, Gregg Wolfersheim, was hired to paint the engine and with his hard work he turned a rusty old steam engine into again a work of beauty.

Here the wheel frames are primed and prepared for a coat of black paint.

Here Gregg has removed the old rust and paint and is now applying a coat of Sherwin Williams  primer.

One brush stroke at a time.

The running gear on the west side is almost all primed with pink primer. We added a little too much red colorant into the primer. 

Here Gregg is spraying the front pilot area black.

1630 fired up. This could a rail yard in Texas! No, its at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Side view facing East.

Side view facing West.

Side view with smoke box painted.

More progress.

Here Gregg has painted the front of the smoke box gray.

West side where Gregg has prepped and painted most areas.

The tender has been painted and hand railings painted white.

975 almost finished. Lettering has yet to be completed!  

The headlight now is installed.

Now it looks like a steam loco. The Headlight sure makes a difference.

To preserve the 975 and its paint job we would like to house this engine in a new barn when built.  Please send donations to the T & NO 975 fund to help make this happen.  Thanks, Roger.