Friday, September 10. 2010
Passenger Dept Report 2010-09 Posted by Phil Stepek
in Passenger Car Department at
15:13
Comments (2) Passenger Dept Report 2010-09GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS Thomas was encountered One car on the Thomas train suffered a hot box during one operating day with the assist from Rod Turner, the car was removed to the pit and serviced same day. It was determined that the lubricating pad was not feeding to the bearing surface. Cause is still unknown The bearing was replaced, pad replaced and inspected The car was returned to service the following day and performance was monitored by passenger dept following each trip, with no further incidents. a mainline DLW coach experienced a brake hangup the last trip of revenue service on the last day of Thomas' visit, and is currently out of service receiving repairs. Final inspection of Barn 3 following the end of weekday operations was completed, and displays are now shut down between weekends to reduce power consumption as well as wear. The plan to secure car interiors, while still very much planned, has stalled a bit as we have been busy with other display and department needs. Our next event priority is preparation for a significant operating display for Showcase Weekend.
Inspections have made a 6 car heavyweight train and a five car streamliner sleeper train possible, If the decision is to lengthen the heavyweight train, the four CRIP cars are available, operational with different roof lines. Other winter plans include: completion of the third DLW coach restoration, completion of the ATSF combine restoration structural repairs to the vestibule of one CRIP coach improvements and repairs to the second Exhibit car in preparation for additional exhibits in 2011 continued review of electrical demands inside Barn 3 INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS DLW coaches (3) The restoration of the third DLW coach has been on hold during the Thomas event and other repairs. One car is in service. The second car suffered a brake malfunction during revenue service, and appears to be an accumulation of wear and component failures that finally caused the brakes of one axle to lock on. Parts are being fabricated to perform the necessary repairs. The third car is progressing in the repair of the vestibule, but is on hold until other repairs are completed. Rock Island Coaches (4) As noted earlier, four revenue Rock Island coaches are now in service. The fifth remains awaiting restoration CBQ RPO 1923 With the placement of the car in Barn 3, we are now beginning to have a display for view to our guests. The visible car display has been supplemented by a video loop of postal clerks, and has been well received by visitors. We are considering moving the car to a more guest friendly location to improve the presentation for next season. Jon Habegger has been active both within the car as well as with the RPO exhibit within the special display cars. ATSF 2544 The prep work for the second side of seats has continued, also stalled a bit as other projects have made demands on the time of the department Dover Strait No change from last report. Progress continues piecemeal, interior painting is now essentially complete, and reassembly of the lounge area continues. Hardware installation also continues. As stated earlier, we hope to make this car part of another interior display for next year. B&M 3288/1094 The restoration continues, with long range movement plans also on hold until now as the two commuter cars under repair have slowed the movement plans. CNW 9933 RDC Mike has completed the process of preemptive overhaul of the brake cylinders of this car. This should provide years of low maintenance operation. It is now inspected for season ending use. Interior braking ability was delayed by other more pressing issues within the department, as the repair will require a complete repair of piping to the cab. The car was used strictly as a trailer in its final days at MBTA, and all air lines to the control stand have been cut. YARD 5 DISPLAYS Safety and anti climb signs have been posted on many of the pieces within the yard, in an attempt to make the area safer and more consistent. Opening between cars have been barricaded as well, to reduce traffic into the service aisle. Thanks to Dave Diamond for supplying them. Extra signs remain if needed. Boundary ropes were added on the public pathways for the Thomas event, to help control wandering . In addition to the cars in revenue service, we have been successful in re-awakening the special exhibit cars. As reported previously, this display re-opened for the July 4th weekend, and we hope to have it open for public display throughout the remainder of the summer. We also continue to add items. We have recognized a need for security within the display; Les and Wally have reviewed the sites' needs, and provided Mike Baksic with a comprehensive and long term plan for video monitoring of the interior displays. Five exhibits are now in place; a). A display of railroad artwork by George C Clark, b). a poster and informational display of the WW2 /railroad effort, and Pullman troop sleeper c). a program explaining the role of the railroad postal clerk. This display is still in progress, and the plan by the program leaders is to tell the chronological story of the service , and end with a display of the experiences at IRM. This display will tie in with a more visible display within the RPO car itself in Barn 3 , now that the car is turned around for visibility. We also have the rights to present a "living history" video produced by a team member from Eastern Illinois University. d). A display explaining the history of the Fox River Interurban system, with thanks to John Cloos. e). An enlarged reproduction of the Chicago Railroad station story, as told in an excellent article in a earlier NRHS Bulletin. Rights for reproduction were received from NRHS prior to display, and they were appreciative of the dissemination. Coming attractions include, The Freight Dept has been preparing for a freight traffic display. A Chicago Railroad Fair exhibit from Ray Bellock, upon his return from leave. Jon Habegger has now begun development of a "THEN and NOW" display. He hopes to have a portion prepared in time for IRM 45th anniversary of operations at Union, coming next summer, and continue to expand in time for the 60th anniversary in 2012.
Jon has continued to have conversations with folks around the museum , including Julie Johnson, Barb Lanphier and Gwyn Stupar . Several folks here have expressed interest, and we invite them to share archive information and memories to put together a solid presentation. The sleeper display appears to have fulfilled a successful season as display, and we now turn to making the cars ready for movement. winter restoration projects have been identified, and will be reviewed in November. Our desire to acquire Olympus has continued. We have accumulated significant funds and hope to file formal acquisition papers soon. Mike wishes to personally inspect the car before filing, and has made contact with fokks to arrange that visit in late Sept or early Oct. funds have also been accumulated for loading and transport of CBQ 1309 from Denver, and with the General Manager decision to allow us to use the UP move for this year, we hope to move forward on this project as well.
Tuesday, August 10. 2010
Passenger Dept update 2010-08-07 Posted by Phil Stepek
in Passenger Car Department at
22:38
Comments (0) Passenger Dept update 2010-08-07in the absence of time and energy right now , here is the report filed by the Passenger Dept to the Board of Directors at the last meeting. GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS Coach inspections are completed The two CRIP units mentioned last month have been finished. The wheel swap took place on CRIP 2571, with the generous assistance of Rod Turner The second unit had been inside for a significant repair of the interior ceiling, and that also was completed. Both cars were inspected and placed in service Aug 1 weekend, completing the set for Thomas. All cars for Thomas train were made available for setup during week of Aug 2-6 to allow the sound crew to install their necessary equipment. A new info sign was installed on John McGloughlin as the first of the Barn 3 enhancements. The plan is to add signs to all equipment on display. The RPO car was replaced into Barn 3 on Aug 3, and now is capable of viewing from the public aisle. We plan to offer an interior exhibit, including a video presentation of mail clerks. The Dover Strait is nearing completion of its painting, and once the underbody is finished, we hope to position it in a way to make it viewable beside the Susan Marie. Not only will the display then be eye level, but will also make it easier to utilize the two operational coaches on that track. This process will also stimulate the plan to make more interior access within the barn. The plan to secure car interiors, while still very much planned, has stalled a bit as we have been busy with other display and department needs. INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS DLW coaches (3) Changes are progressing , but not yet completed. No change from previous report Two cars are in service. The third car is progressing in the repair of the vestibule, but is on hold until the car inspections are completed. Rock Island Coaches (4) As noted earlier, all four revenue Rock Island coaches are now in service. CBQ RPO 1923 With the placement of the car in Barn 3, we are now beginning to have a display for view to our guests. We hope to have enough time to complete it before Thomas, to add to our inside displays. Jon Habegger has been active both within the car as well as with the RPO exhibit within the special display cars. ATSF 2544 The prep work for the second side of seats has continued, also stalled a bit as other projects have made demands on the time of the department Dover Strait Progress continues piecemeal, interior painting is now essentially complete, and reassembly of the lounge area continues. Hardware installation also continues. As stated earlier, we hope to make this car part of another interior display for next year. B&M 3288/1094 The restoration continues, with long range movement plans also on hold until now as the two commuter cars under repair have slowed the movement plans. CNW 9933 RDC As a precaution, Mike has begun the process of preemptive overhaul of the brake cylinders of this car. This should provide years of low maintenance operation. Following last years success, we hope to further enhance the function with interior braking ability, providing a more comfortable environment to the conductor during reverse moves. YARD 5 DISPLAY Bilevel car doors have been barricaded, and CNW 151 sign was located and hung on the outside for information. In addition to the cars in revenue service, we have been successful in re-awakening the special exhibit cars. As reported previously, this display re-opened for the July 4th weekend, and we hope to have it open for public display throughout the remainder of the summer. We also continue to add items. Five exhibits are now in place; a). A display of railroad artwork by George C Clark, b). a poster and informational display of the WW2 /railroad effort, and Pullman troop sleeper c). a program explaining the role of the railroad postal clerk. This display is still in progress, and the plan by the program leaders is to tell the chronological story of the service , and end with a display of the experiences at IRM. This display will tie in with a more visible display within the RPO car itself in Barn 3 , now that the car is turned around for visibility. We also have the rights to present a "living history" video produced by a team member from Eastern Illinois University. d). A display explaining the history of the Fox River Interurban system, with thanks to John Cloos. e). An enlarged reproduction of the Chicago Railroad station story, as told in an excellent article in a earlier NRHS Bulletin. Rights for reproduction were received from NRHS prior to display, and they were appreciative of the dissemination. We are installing a "coming attractions" board near the entrance, The Freight Dept already has been preparing for a freight traffic display A Chicago Railroad Fair exhibit from Ray Bellock and are in the early planning for a possible living history of IRM , especially as we approach our 60th anniversary. Several folks here have expressed interest, and we hope to put them together to create a solid presentation. With the filling of the first display car, we are already planning to awaken the second car late this season, with the plan to have it functional for next year, including (we hope) a contribution to the celebration of the anniversary of operations at Union coming next July. The sleeper display has been open as planned, and interior function has been successful. We have altered some of the videos to support events at the museum, and then return to the "normal" video for the remainder of the weekends. Our desire to acquire Olympus has continued. We have accumulated significant funds and hope to file formal acquisition papers soon. Mike wishes to personally inspect the car before filing, and dept obligations toward Thomas have prevented this until now. funds have also been accumulated for loading and transport of CBQ 1309 from Denver, awaiting the decision from the general managers regarding its transportation arrangements.
Friday, July 9. 2010IC King Cotton and CNW 4103a small note about donations to these two pieces of equipment. They really are appreciated. Factual updates about them: CNW 4103 is in really bad condition, and while the passenger dept is very aware of the cars history, we also are honestly not in position to make any restoration attempt at this point. We are not actively pursuing scrapping, but it obviously will not get any better outside, therefore the cars first need is obviously to get indoors, at 68 plus feet in length the car will require about 13000 to get that done. The good folks that have made recent donations toward this car are the first ones. If folks really want this piece saved, it will take a lot of money. IC King Cotton is another piece that has recently received some donations. As a point of clarification, while we hope to own this car someday, at this moment we do NOT own it. King Cotton is privately owned and the owners' estate has not formally transferred ownership to us. When the car is IRM owned, it of course will need some money for restoration and indoor storage, so the funds will not be for naught. For now, we cannot take any action with it. Again, thanks to everyone that helps with their contributions. |
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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 [...]