Entries by Phil Stepek

hi again, sorry for the delay. We have been in "season prep" mode for a while and while its been busy, there really has not been any significant changes. Cleanup and stage setting is one of those background but important roles we face as we approach the start of a new public season. When it comes time to set up, I am always amazed at just how much mess we made over the winter!

Not a lot of new photos but heres whats up...

On the Barn 3 front, Mike has made a lot of progress on the Lackawanna coach vestibule. New buffer springs were fabricated and after a bunch of tussles they were installed. Now the part comes to rebuild the platform itself.

http://www.irm.org/gallery/album133

Out in Yard 5, we have been working from one end getting things put away and setting the stage. This is where I realized what a mess I made all winter. It took me three full days to get the RDC set up alone, and another full day to prepare Silver Ridge. Three to go . Anyone interested in simple housework is welcome.

RDC 9934 is more and more along the path to respectability. Thanks to Bill Wulfert, we located the missing cab window frame, and got it rebuilt and reglazed. We have repaired the number board lights and traced down the classification light circuit. No photos yet but hopefully I will have a chance to get a couple of night shots with the car lit, especially after i have the chance to get the numbers "corrected". 

In addition, we have set the car up to help tell the story. The front half of the car will be pretty much intact as it was inservice, baggage racks in place and all seating areas cleared out to provide the complete visual image. The rear half will be set up with multiple displays, not only about the RDC experience, but i hope to use the space to develop a comparison between Budd and Pullman. I have been fascinated by the similarities and the differences between the two major players in the railroad industry, and I hope to give folks a sense of the competition between them.

i have managed to locate several video presentations that will be appropriate for the display as well. right now, I plan 6 videos along the way, each in an appropriate location. I would like to find something about ACL and NP passenger service if anyone has any ideas.

Our goal remains being completed by May 2 weekend to support the museums first event of the year.

As always, if the steps are open to the RDC and the lights are on, that means folks are welcome, and the coffee pot is on.

 Come on by and say hi. Docents are still needed to open two parlor cars in Barn 3 as well as folks to be on hand in Yard 5 display. If you are interested in working on the cars, or just want to come out and visit with visitors as they go by, feel free to let us know.

late winter /early spring. Things keep moving along, beginning to get ready for Opening

In Barn 3 we have begun to set up the display cars. First the globes for the reading lights in the ATSF lounge are finally in! After years, all the lights in the car now have lenses and are working.

http://www.irm.org/gallery/ATSF1534

Next we went through Susan Marie and Ely and double checked all the lights in those cars as well

We are preparing for two main walking tours within the barn; 3-4 cars each, plus the streamliner sleeper train out in Yard 5. we have also talked (ok mostly me) about more display pieces in Barn 9.

Again a call for anyone interested in acting as a docent in one of the passenger sets in Barn 3 or Yard 5 this summer. We want to open more equipment for visits, but cannot unless we have folks we can count on to "keep an eye" on the equipment. the task is not to be a traffic cop, more a guide, answer person and all around social visitor.

On the mechanical front, Mike is making serious progress in the vestibule and buffer of the lamented DLW coach, hoping to have it operational early this season as well. Still a lot of work to go, but progress is always good.

The walls in ATSF 2544 are getting primed and painted after a lot of metaland sanding work. After this the "new" seats will go in and one side will be done for this season, with the second side planned for next winter. The car has thin wheels, so she is not going out this year anyway.

While I dont have any new photos yet, I dont want to forget that Roger has been working away at the bathrooms in John McGLothan as well, and I know when they are done they will be Gorgeous!

Out in Yard 5 The baggage racks in the front of the RDC  are in and beginning to be painted. We had a broken seat frame, and managed to locate a replacement unit, so now all the seats are secure in place, and ready for guests. The second bathroom has been cleared out, and we are trying to come up with a way to feed AC into the car until we can afford to replace the blower motor. Plans for multiple displays in one section of the car, should make it a reasonably interseting place to visit. We also got the light units for the number boards out today, and should be a straightforward fix once we convert the ballasts like the ceiling fixtures. Then we hope to get correct number plates made and installes, make the unit 9934 again!

Birminghams air curtain is done and working fine. The kitchen is nearly ready for opening, with a bit more cleaning. We found the correct tablecloths and so this year we may have real table settings. While the dining area AC was stable last year, we have modified the kitchen AC to allow a bit more realistic space, and we hope it will give our visitors even more of a sense of the "way it was".

Come on out and say Hi. We are now in season prep mode, so anyone with the interest feel free to get in touch. We will be spending next week and probably the week after getting stuff "gussied up" sio even if you dont have the desire to be mechanical, we can use the help just cleaning and shining.

not a major report this time folks, but we are going to try and keep it up so our remote friends can follow our progress.

On the heavyweight front, Mike and Ray are making some progress on the DLW coach doorframe...operating crews know it well...the one that never can open. ATSF 2544 is moving along, repairing the wall behind the "new" seats and then Mark Hoffman is finishing and priming. The continued cold is slowing things down a bit as it is hard to paint until the walls are consisitently warm.

Over in Yard 5 the work contiues in Birmionghams kitchen. The entry air curtain is now working, and the final step will be to replace the wall section above the breakfront in the vestibule of the dining area. We hope to have that part finished this week, so we can move along into the other cars to prepare for spring.

Marc has begun to open up the furniture to air out.

All are welcome to stop by during the day on Saturday, if you make it out before the operating dept soiree. The coffee will be on and we will have a few light snacks, if folks just want to "stop and set a spell".

Spring time will, as usual, bring a flurry of activity as we begin to prepare for season. Lots of housework and setup will be needed, so anyone that can is invited to join in the fun.

In addition we continue to have several display ideas that will need the human touch both in setup and as docents to guide our visitors through. We want to open more equuipment this year, but will need folks that can be around to explain, and of course monitor.

Its not a lot of strenuous work, but it can be a great time if you are interested.

One day, one day a month, or every weekend, it doesnt matter. We can adjust our plans to fit your interest.

Susan Marie, IC, DMIR set is on the agenda,  and Ely is also a possibility. These will require someone to be the "historian/tourguide/docent" t obe open for visitors.

Have a great week.