Illinois Railway Museum Blog

On Wednesday, August 6th, Kevin Kriebs, Buzz Morisette, and John McKelvey put the Ely dining room table together and put it back in place in the Ely. A big thanks to all who helped! Shelly Vanderschaegen has been cleaning the Ely and putting the dining room back together as time allows. Shelly captured the following images on Sunday, August 10th:

Ely dining room as seen from the bedroom end - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

The mannequin is back in place in the Ely dining room - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Another view of the nearly complete Ely dining room restoration - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

It was a beautiful sunny day on Sunday, August 10th. Michael Baksic, Ray Mormann, and Mark Gellman attached seats to the floor in the DM&IR 84. (Sorry no pictures.)

Kevin Kriebs has removed all the decal adhesive and began scuffing the exterior of the 1st Exhibit Car using Scotch-Brite™ and a palm sander. It's a mighty big job!

Kevin Kriebs is scuffing the exterior of the 1st Exhibit Car - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Mark hoffmann continued his work in the 2602 sanding areas where he had previously needle chipped.

Mark Hoffmann points out work he has done on the 2602 - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

The 2602 end pieces are ready to be primed - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Jon Habegger spent the day with visitor at his post inside the 1st Exhibit Car.

John McKelvey continued upholstering Henrietta seats while Shelly Vanderschaegen stripped 4 more seats to be ready for John to epoxy and refinish. The rush is on to finish the seats for the Henrietta in time for the Thomas event.

John McKelvey just put the metal pieces on the coach seat back - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Shelly Vanderschaegen has replaced spring ties in many a bench seat such as this - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Buzz Morisette cleaned windows inside and outside in the Ely and outside the Lake City. After lunch Shelly began vacuuming the Silver cars for visitors next weekend.

At the Milwaukee Road Dynamometer, Chuck Trabert replaced the bottom 4” or so of the inside door panel on the bottom door with a new strip of galvanized metal. He then replaced about the same 6” on the outside panel of the bottom north door (no picture shown). Using his metal cutting blade on a circular saw and a straight edge he did a great repair job. These patch pieces were made two years ago by R&B Metal, not knowing when we’d replace them.

Chuck Trabert cutting off the lower panel area - Photo by Warren Newhauser

Showing the cut in the old panel - Photo by Warren Newhauser

Chuck lifting off the old piece of panel - Photo by Warren Newhauser

Chuck fitting the patch on the panel bottom - Photo by Warren Newhauser

The new patch in place - Photo by Warren Newhauser

Warren Newhauser installed the small motor alternator (32VDC to 120VAC at 400 watts) in the electrical locker of the X-5000, after being rebuilt by a local automotive electric shop. This little motor alternator was originally installed to run a small freezer in the office area that would get filled with frozen seafood in Tacoma and distributed to employees in Milwaukee back when the Milwaukee Road ran to the Pacific Northwest. This way the main motor alternator (with high current draw) and Waukesha Enginator would not have to run if the car sat for an extended time. Warren recalled, "I remember my Mother regularly making baked salmon brought back by my Father, who worked on the car."

The motor-alternator installed by Warren - Photo by Warren Newhauser

Warren continued: "The motor-alternator successfully hooked up and it works. The ball bearings, which I repacked with wheel bearing grease, or brushes or slip rings seem make a little noise so I’m a bit concerned, but maybe it just needs to break in. The 120V output wires head beneath the car with the thick welding-type cables for the generator and I wasn’t able to figure out where they go so I’ll have to use my RF circuit tracer to find their destination. They should go to the outlet by the office directly across the hallway for the freezer that was there. This will give us a small amount of 120VAC to use for lighting, possibly instruments and the kitchen while the car is in service on a train."

Many people to thank...

John McKelvey has been totally focused on reupholstering bench seats for the Henrietta, Rock Island coach 2612. He has been working on them daily. John has a lot of skill and experience in upholstery and has made a significant contribution to the Museum with his efforts. Thank you very much John! The Passenger Car Department truly appreciates you!

Saturday, August 2nd: Ray Mormann, Mark Gellman and Michael McCraren tested the air brakes on 3 Rock Island coaches in preparation for the upcoming Thomas event. A big thank you to the track department for use of their air compressor! The three men then found a coach step was in need of repair so track 114 became the RIP (Repair In Place) track.

Ray Mormann shown testing air brakes - Photo by Michael McCraren

Thanks to the track department for use of the air compressor - Photo by Michael McCraren

A step in need of repair - Photo by Michael McCraren

Ray doing step repair - Photo by Michael McCraren

They returned from Yard 11 to finish installing the door on the west end of the Birmingham dining car where it connects with the Pacific Peak.

Ray Mormann and Mark Gellman prepare the door window opening - Photo by Michael McCraren

Ray and Mark set the rubber to hold the window - Photo by Michael McCraren

Ray secures the glass in place - Photo by Michael McCraren

Pullman Standard door with window in place - Photo by Michael McCraren

The handle is now affixed and the door from the Birmingham to the Pacific Peak is complete - Photo by Michael McCraren

Later Mark and Michael McCraren boarded the coach train and repaired windows during a trip. (Sorry no pictures.)

Kevin Kriebs has made excellent progress on his project of removing decals and adhesive from the exterior of the 1st Exhibit Car. He continued his efforts on Saturday.

Shelly Vanderschaegen began her day with continued cleanup efforts in the Ely after Buzz Morisette completed the dining room ceiling and clerestory work. She vacuumed the car and started putting light shades on the fixtures below the clerestory. The mannequin was put together and put upright in her dining room position, and curtains were put back on the windows. Shelly spent the rest of her work day with John McKelvey working on the Henrietta coach seats project.

Jim Windmeier came to IRM to continue the discussion about a potential railroad china display which may go in the 1st Exhibit Car for next season.

Mark Hoffmann continued work on the 2602 Rock Island coach. Roger Kramer has put out a call for more volunteers to get this car ready for the upcoming Thomas event.

A big thank you to Kevin Brown for taking time to visit the Birmingham diner. Thanks for your continued support! We appreciate you very much.

Sunday, August 3rd: Michael McCraren was on train duty on Sunday. Jon Habegger was at his post inside the 1st Exhibit Car chatting with visitors and answering questions about the exhibits currently on display.

The Passenger Car Department would like to send out another big thank you to Buzz Morisette for continuing his support in putting the Ely back together. After completing his excellent work on the Ely dining room ceiling, clerestory, and woodwork, he helped clean up and even washed windows! Buzz is one of the really outstanding volunteers at the Illinois Railway Museum with skill, talent, and a helpful nature. Thanks Buzz!

Thank you goes out to Wayne Baksic, too, for short notice help with 7700 and Henrietta seats. Thanks Wayne!