Entries by Pauline Trabert

Report from Brian LaKemper:
On 4/12 Brian Patterson and I did work inspecting cars for the season and outlining needed repairs before cars go into service. Cody Z. from steam land assisted. All service cars except the Silver Train have been inspected and needed repairs noted and some repairs made. More work will be needed before the beginning of the coach train season.

Elsewhere on the property, Buzz was working on the turbine, JD and Cody were working on 1630's stoker, and CTA 4290 was getting its inspection.

Saturday, April 18th: Brian Patterson attended the morning rules review, meanwhile I started work with Mark G. on removing the defective fittings from 2612. After lunch, myself, Brian P, Mike M, Kevin Brown, and others attended the annual safety meeting conducted by Harold Krewer and Jeff Fryman.

While others took the rules test, I went back to work on 2612, with help from Phil from the steam department. With a lot of heat and mechanical persuasion, the rusted fittings finally came loose. Afterwards, I worked on the X-5000, changing an air hose, and other minor housekeeping. I also traced out a problem with Galt House's handbrake not applying, apparently at some point during it's travels, it was decided that the way to release the handbrake was to torch through the handbrake chains!

Rich, Greg, and Joe watch as Brian P. runs the controller and the machine spins engaging its many different contacts - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Frank, Joel, and an unidentified person discuss the new training machine - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Joe watches the revolving device spin around - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Rich and Brian (almost out of sight) discuss the CTA controller - Photo by Brian LaKemper

On Sunday 4/19, I removed one of the torched chains from the Galt House for repair by our metal working experts in the steam shop, and took the removed pipe to the shop for inspection. Big thanks to the steam shop for fixing the chain. I also removed a leaking valve stem from one of the conductor's valves on the X-5000 and flipped the double wear gasket to attempt to solve the leak.

Elsewhere on the property: after the annual meeting, several volunteers gathered in the electric car shop to try out the L car maintenance trainer. Turns out to be a very effective way of entertaining volunteers.

In the steam shop, work was ongoing on 1630's tender and cab floor, in addition to work on 428's axle boxes. The hydraulic planer is functional at last, though it still needs fine tuning.

Report from Michael McCrarren:
On Sunday 4/19, Brian Patterson dropped by and talked to Kevin Kriebs who was working on the lantern display. Except for some minor additions, the exhibit is ready to open.

The last two Sunday we opened the china exhibit to the public and have gotten very good reviews. People are amazed at the variety of china we have on display. They also love looking at the menus to see what was served. The exhibit will have a formal opening on May 2.

Brian Patterson dropped by and talked to Kevin K who was working on the lantern display - Photo by Michael McCraren

Visitors investigate the new railroad china display - Photo by Michael McCrarren

More visitors admiring the 1st Exhibit Car displays - Photo by Michael McCrarren

Report from Shelly Vanderschaegen: On Sunday April 5th, Shelly worked on an Ely window frame and began cleaning in the Birmingham.

On Sunday, April 19th, Ray Mormann and Michael Baksic nearly completed their project in the Birmingham. Kevin was putting lanterns in the new lantern display cases.

Wood from the Ely window Shelly stained - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Michael Baksic working on a wiring project inside the Birmingham - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Ray Mormann is in the attic passing wire down to Mike - Photo by Shelly Vanderschaegen

Michael McCraren Reporting: On Saturday, March 28th, Buzz Morisette and Kevin Kriebs assembled the second cabinet for the lantern display.

Buzz working on the cabinet hardware - Photo by Michael McCraren

Kevin and Buzz installing locks - Photo by Michael McCraren

Buzz and Kevin attaching the cabinet to the wall in Exhibit Car 1 - Photo by Michael McCraren

The finished lantern display cases - Photo by Michael McCraren

The opening of the 1st Exhibit Car with the china display is scheduled for May 2. Previews maybe held in April depending on staffing. Work has begun on adding displays to the 2nd Exhibit Car.

Expanded display of Wabash china - Photo by Michael McCraren

The photo history of Union Station is complete - Photo by Michael McCraren

Work has started in Exhibit Car 2 laying out a photo history of Grand Central - Photo by Michael McCraren

On Sunday, March 29th, Michael Baksic and Ray Mormann continued their work in the Birmingham.

Brian LaKemper Reporting: The 556's brakes are completely reassembled and ready for an air test.

On Sunday, March 29th, I cut the final pipe to the correct length, threaded and installed it with the help of Cody Z. from the steam shop. The needed fittings to assemble it all were procured and installed. Thanks to the Steam Department and the Electric Car Department for all their help on this part of the project.

The completed piping - Photo by Brian LaKemper

The brake beam installed under 556 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Another view of the installed brake beam - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Mark Hoffman finished priming the cleaned ceiling panels. Still a lot of work in the interior of the car.

Inside 556 in Fall 2014 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

The same view inside 556 as of March 29th - Photo by Brian LaKemper

Close-up of primed ceiling in 556 - Photo by Brian LaKemper

On Wednesday, April 1st, Brian Patterson and myself applied air to test the brakes. After receiving a replacement gasket from Rod Turner (Thanks Rod!), everything was leak free and the brakes worked as intended. Once the interior is finished, the car will be ready for operation.

Elsewhere on the property: the clutch was removed from the Joy #2, so it can be repaired. The L car team has mounted poles on the 2400s and are rapidly finishing them up. In steam land, work is progressing on machining 428's axle boxes, 1630's winter repairs, and clearing tell-tales on the Shay.

Michael McCraren Reporting: On Saturday, Michael McCraren, Paul Machette, Mark Gellman, Mark Hoffman and Brian LaKemper attended a train show in Davenport, IA. On the way back, Michael, Paul and Mark did some "research" on current passenger trains by taking some action shots of the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief passing through Mendota, IL. After all, someday these cars will be at IRM. They also visited the depot museum there.

California Zephyr - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

Southwest Chief - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

Passengers boarding the Southwest Chief - Photo courtesy of Michael McCraren

On Sunday, more graphics and a few pictures were added to the china exhibit. The big news is that we have added 2 rare service plates to the display for opening and a third that will arrive in the summer. The two new plates that will be there at the opening are an Illinois Central service plate used on the Panama Limited and the Daylight Limited (the fore runner of the City of New Orleans) in the 1920's, and another service plate from the Golden Rocket. After World War 2, the Southern Pacific and Rock Island were planning a replacement for the Golden State called the Golden Rocket. The Rock Island had ordered the china and cars but before the train could be started the Southern Pacific backed out. The china and cars were using on the Golden State. We have obtained a service plate from that still born train. A third service plate will be coming this summer. A hint is that the plate is from a well known, upscale, private dining room that was best ever on the rails.

Illinois Central service plate - Photo by Michael McCraren

Service plate from the Golden Rocket - Photo by Michael McCraren

Other work inside the 1st Exhibit car includes the picture history of Union Station Chicago where progress continues with the hand built sign going up along with the pictures and the cabinet for the upcoming lantern display was completed. Buzz M. and Kevin K. did a nice job building the cabinet.

Work on the picture history of Union Station Chicago continues - Photo by Michael McCraren

The cabinet that will hold the lantern exhibit is completed - Photo by Michael McCraren

Brian LaKemper reporting: On March 22nd, Mark Hoffman, Brian Patterson, and Brian LaKemper worked on the 556 again. Mark did more interior sanding, followed by priming some of the ceiling panels.

The two Brians worked to replace the last missing components of the brake system; however, a minor setback meant that we had to fabricate two pipes instead of just one, as during the process of pulling off a fitting to use as a guide, an adjacent pipe was found to have severe corrosion issues. Many thanks to the steam shop for help, encouragement, and use of tools to make both replacements. One of the replacement pipes was installed under the car, the other will be installed once we acquire the remaining fitting to attach it. Slow but steady progress overall.

Elsewhere on the property, Joy #2 was over the electric car pit for removal of the torque converter and clutch assembly. By the end of work, the torque converter was out of the pit and on a cart; but the clutch was stubborn and could not be removed.

Work was being done on Michigan Electric 28, UP 428 was having an axlebox set up for machining, and other projects were ongoing.