Entries by Max Tyms

IRM has accumulated overhead parts from everywhere over the years.  A small amount are old but never used but most are old used parts.  Many are styles that are no longer made and therefore have historical value.  A good example are wood strain insulators (wood strains).  This is one item we have in abundance, in varying conditions from never installed-still-in-the-box to outside rotting in a barrel.

Wood strains are insulating tension members installed in span wire to electrically insulate two sections of span wire or hardware and span wire.  They are also used as insulation between pieces of hardware and in specialwork.  They come in various sizes, lengths and end fitting configurations. The typical woodstrain is made of a section of turned hardwood rod with a mallable iron end fitting crimped on each end (eye-eye, clevis-eye etc.).  The modern equivelant uses fiberglass rod instead of wood.  Because of the wood which will rot, woodstrains are a high maintenance item.  Because of this, my policy is to recondition used woodstrains before putting them in service.  I have spent many weeks reconditioning parts to build up an inventory.

First, they are stripped of bolts, pins and wire.  Then, they are inspected for soundness.  After passing inspection the metal ends are sand blasted to white metal.  The wood is lightly sand blasted to remove loose paint and foreign matter.  After another inspection, the end fittings are dipped in cold galvanizing compound and allowed to dry.  One end must be dry before dipping the other end.  Next, two coats of grey oil base house paint are applied to the wood.  Once the paint has thoroughly dried the metal ends are given a final dip in galva-bright.  Now they not only look like(better than) new, but will last for years.  This process takes six days per batch (20-25 pcs). 

Other parts are reconditioned in a similar fashion.  Round top and pulloff hangers that have durego or composition insulation have the exposed insulation sand blasted and are given one coat of insulating varnish.  These are also dielectric tested to ensure insulation integrity.

Woodstrain before sandblasting

Woodstrain ends dipped in cold galvanize

Woodstrain ready for instalation

We had a great turnout Saturday! Charlie Strong, Stan Wdowikowski, Warren Lloyd, Joel Ahrendt, Roger Smessaert, Rod Turner and "the new guy" Mike Sorenson. All under my supervision Dug out and straightened the seven remaining poles. That completed the worst section that had to be fixed.

We began at eight AM at the car shop. After a job briefing we headed out on the railroad. Once at our work location we held a short safety/work plan meeting, then split up into three groups. Two groups dug by hand the third would help me do the rigging, aligning and back filling.

I did not get a chance to rest. As soon as we get one pole done. I would bring the rigging to the next expecting a bit of a break. But as soon as I got there the diggers were done and We began rigging. When the backfillers completed the last pole, they would come and help me, the diggers would then move to the next pole. This continued until we completed 7 poles.

We did break for lunch when most took the ComEd 4 to town and we met at Clausen's for burgers.

After the poles were done we headed West and completed some minor repairs at Schmidt siding, then to across from the Depot where we cleared up some fouled telephone wires. That was the day.

These guys worked their butts off to keep IRM running smooth. They sure earned "the right" to first dibs on pan equipment! These are usually car dept. & diesel dept. people but today working on DC line jobs demonstrating how we work together when we need to.

I haven't had this much fun in years. All you "old guys" that were bugging me about pan operation owe these guys a big THANK YOU! THEY just made a big leap towards "pantographobility".

Max Tyms
Supt. D/C Line Dept.

Let me explain to you what the A/C-D/C Line Dept. does.

The Line Dept. is the electric utility part of IRM.  We design, install and maintain the museum's overhead and underground electrical systems.  Both A/C power & lighting and D/C traction power.  We also install and maintain signal & telephone lines above 7 ft. for those respective departments.  We also design, install and maintain the building wiring systems for the Buildings & Grounds Dept.

Our system is quite elaborate.  Com Ed, our local electric utility, maintains a 34kv to 4kv substation on our property. Everything on the 4kv side of the transformer is owned and maintained by IRM.

Our system consists of 7 miles of 2400/4160 volt line, single & three phase transformer banks from 1kva to 750kva, voltage regulators, two 800kw rectifiers, a traction power substation with 2 -2500amp feeders and electronic relays, many poles, underground ducts and manholes.  We're like a small town.

We own a digger derrick and a bucket truck.  We maintain a stock of protective rubber goods: hose, blankets,gloves and sleeves- all up to date.  We have hot sticks, hot arms and lots of other "tools of the trade".  We always work safely.  The best part: it was all built and is maintained by unpaid VOLUNTEERS!

If you love this trade like I do or just interested in linework.  Come out and help!  The line dept is Fun!  THERE's MORE TO IRM THAN JUST TRAINS.

Max Tyms 

mtyms@irm.org

815-923-4391