Entries by Pauline Trabert

On Saturday Ray Mormann and Barn 3 Curator Michael Baksic changed the oil on the genaerators under silver cars and checked to be sure they were full of gasoline as they started getting ready for Terror on the Railroad Haunted Event.

Michael Baksic and Ray Mormann work on a generator - Photo by Jon Habegger

John McKelvey continued the seemingly endless task of stripping, repairing and reupholstering the Henrietta seats.

Also on Saturday, Mark Gellman, Michael McCraren and Shelly Vanderschaegen prepared the Birmingham for the Band Organ Rally breakfast to be held on Sunday morning. Kevin Kriebs, Mark and Shelly cleaned the tables and put on table cloths in between regular Saturday visitors to Yard 5. Shelly cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the dining area.

Mark Gellman practices his waiter skills on Kevin Kriebs - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Jon Habegger and Ken Kosan were talking with visitors in the 1st Exhibit Car.

Ken Kosan talks with visitor in the 1st Exhibit Car - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

On Sunday, Mark Gellman, Michael McCraren and Shelly served up the Band Organ Rally breakfast. Michael M. was the chef, Mark was the waiter. Shelly washed dishes, took care of garbage, and tried serving coffee. Menus had been created and fresh flowers were in vases on each table. They served sausages, eggs, grits, country ham, orange juice, milk, and coffee to a group of volunteers and some of the band organ people. Donations were accepted. Jeff Calendine helped serve and bus tables. Big thanks to the crew for a job well done.

Mark Gellman waits on the first customer of the day - Photo by Jeff Calendine

Soon it was a packed house with more people waiting - Photo by Jeff Calendine

The breakfast crew - Michael McCraren, Shelly Vanderschaegen, and Mark Gellman - Photo by Jeff Calendine

Limonaire Freaes Band Organ, one of many - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

The eye-catching Dutch Canadian Band Organ - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Brian LaKemper reported that the Coach Department did something different and ran the five operable CRIP commuter cars and combine 7700. Late on Sunday, Brian noticed a mechanical problem with RI 2555 as a loud noise from the end of the car was reported. Mark Gellman inspected the coach and found a defect so the car was removed from the train for buffer repairs. According to Brian, the purpose for running the CRIP cars was to identify any defects so that repairs can be made ahead of next season. All defects were duly noted and reported to Michael Baksic along with a plan of action to resolve the pressing concerns. Brian spent the weekend on the coach train as a trainman/conductor trainee/mechanical rider.

With work on CRIP 2602's interior wrapping up for now, a group is applying lessons learned on the DLW 556 coach in Barn 3. On Monday night, Brian P. and Brian LaKemper returned the car's missing interior brake beam to its rightful place. It awaits attachment to the car's brake rigging and final adjustment. Once it is installed, the car's brake valve will be cleaned, tested, and installed, completing the mechanical work needed to bring the car to operational status. It still needs interior repainting and volunteers are encouraged to show up. Someone should be around Wednesday through Sunday of this week.

Chuck Trabert continued working on the side doors of the Milwaukee Road Dynamometer car. He has replaced the rusted metal and has primed the doors.

Chuck Trabert painting a refurbished Dynamometer door - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Another big thank you to John McKelvey who continues to work on the Henrietta seats even after Thomas is done. John, you are awesome and we really appreciate your patience and skill!

On both Saturday and Sunday, Michael Baksic, Ray Mormann, and Mark Gellman repaired seats in the RDC and will continue this work for the coming weekend.

Jon Habegger was greeting visitors and answering questions in the 1st Exhibit Car all weekend.

Jon Habegger in the 1st Exhibit Car - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Shelly was greeting visitors in the Santa Fe Lounge Car both Saturday and Sunday with some assistance from Andy Townsend.

On both Saturday and Sunday, Kevin Kriebs and Michael McCraren took up positions in the Birmingham to talk to people about the Birmingham and dining cars in general. A temporary display of railroad china used in dining cars was setup on one table. This china came from the collections of Mark Gellman, Kevin Kriebs and Michael McCraren. The china will make up the core of an exhibit scheduled to open next year in the Exhibit Cars featuring railroad dining cars. During Saturday afternoon a strong thunderstorm hit IRM and guests took shelter in the Birmingham and Pacific Peak. Kevin and Michael M. gave soda and water to anyone who needed refreshment while Mark handed out cook hats to the kids.

Kevin Kriebs greeting visitors in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

During a thunderstorm Mark Gellman handed out cook hats to kids - Photo by Michael McCraren

Temporary railroad china display in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

Close-up State Capitals service plate from the Missouri Pacific. The Capital building of every state the Missouri Pacific pass though is shown, Illinois is in the 5 oclock position - Photo by Michael McCraren

Filling in for Bob K. with help from Pauline Trabert this is Buzz with a Freight Dpt. Summer progress post. The photos are all from Wednesday August 20th.

I worked on several various items this week including lamp shade repair for the X-38, patching holes in Soo-5001's roof, and testing a wood sealer on CNW 10494 wood caboose.

Over the last year Dave H and I worked to cover our CNW 10494 wood caboose with recycled barn sheathing. It was a low cost and low maintenance way to preserve this car for future restoration. Next to treat and paint the ends.

CNW Cab - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Dave seen here has started chipping, brushing, and priming under the south wing of the X-38 snow plow. Hot hard work here, I think he needs a hand.

Dave - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Victor was inside the plow continuing to paint the restored interior car siding.

Victor - Photo by Buzz Morisette

This picture from last June shows the hole from removing rotten floor boards.

Floor boards open - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Behind Victor you can see the repaired and painted closet door and the repaired floor with the reservoir tanks back in place. It took some planning to jack the heavy tanks up off the floor and then replace the floor under them safely.

Repaired floor - Photo by Buzz Morisette

The Wednesday crew was making good progress on prepping our ICG caboose for new paint. Bill and Rick stopped for a moment for me to snap a picture.

Bill and Rick of the Wednesday Crew - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Working on the south side of ICG-199458 Lee brushes the far sill while Dan sands below the cupola.

Lee and Dan - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Ed was working the high iron brushing under the roof edge. This caboose received new wheels last year and is popular with operating crews and passengers because of the open vestibules to stand out on.

Ed working the high iron - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Also saw Bill again at the X-38 plow getting ready to start lettering the north side. Bill offered to fill in for Bob K. who is still recovering from a broken leg.

Lettering X-38 plow - Photo by Buzz Morisette

We miss you Bob, get well soon!!

August 24th, 2014 Buzz Morisette.