Entries by Pauline Trabert

This update from the Passenger Car Department was provided by Brian LaKemper...

On Wednesday, March 11th, Brian Patterson and Brian LaKemper were at IRM. They managed to wire wheel two of the three needle-chipped panels of the ceiling of the 556; as well as some progress on Dover Strait.

Brian LaKemper wire-wheeling a ceiling panel that was needle-chipped late last fall - Photo courtesy of Brian LaKemper

A closer view with a little more progress - still over 50 linear feet of ceiling to go - Photo courtesy of Brian LaKemper

Brian Patterson gave Brian L. a break on the wire wheel - Photo courtesy of Brian LaKemper

Unfaded paint was found underneath a car sign warning of extra fees for buying tickets on the train - a chip was used to source the correct color needed to repaint the lower portions of the car - Photo courtesy of Brian LaKemper

This is a Pullman ashtray that was disassembled a while ago, Brian L. reassembled it for display in the Dover Strait - Photo courtesy of Brian LaKemper

On Saturday, March 14th, Mark Hoffman, Brian Patterson, and Brian LaKemper were working on 556. Mark wire wheeled the third cleaned ceiling panel, and he and Brian P. worked on sanding the sections of the ceiling that were wire wheeled in preparation for primer. Mark planned to prime it on Sunday.

Brian L. worked on finishing up the incomplete repairs to the 556's brake system. The repaired brake beam that was installed last fall received brake shoes and was connected to the brake rigging. Phil from the steam shop is owed a HUGE thank-you from all of us in Barn 3 for managing to wiggle himself and tools underneath the car to connect the rigging. After all the rigging was connected, Phil and Brian L. wound down the handbrake to check that the rigging was working again. All was in order, so with help from Greg Kepka, Phil hung the 556's brake valve under the car.

Once the valve was attached, air was applied from the Barn 4 supply using a single car air tester to charge the car's reservoir and test the brakes. After 10 minutes of charging, Brian L. opened the tester's brake valve and made a reduction. With a little noise of protest, the cylinder extended for the first time in over 5 years. Due to the dirt and grease involved, no photos of the brake work were taken.

Tim, Bill, and friends have been working away on 1024 1797 Wood EL cars all winter.

The old tag excavated from 1024’s car body - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Hard to see in the photo above, but it is a tag inscribed in pencil “North West Railroad car 1/17/39” The original car No. was N.W. Elevated 24.

3rd rail beams for wood elevated car 1797 that Bill has been working on - Photo by Buzz Morisette

New custom-made quarter sawn oak ply for 24’s ceiling - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Bowling Alley seat frames under restoration for 24 - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Completed seat next to one about to be stripped - Photo by Buzz Morisette

72 new white oak windows manufactured, stained, and glazed by Tim in the shop - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Closer view of a sash with the restored brass hardware - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Bill and Keith working on the light fixtures for N.W. El 24 - Photo by Buzz Morisette

The amazing transformation of said fixtures - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Finally from the Wood El department was Painting and testing of the corner outside marker lamps - Photo by Buzz Morisette

The fixtures seen in the image above have been completely manufactured new from photos, as the originals were removed long ago. Tim made a pattern for the body to be cast and Rod has machined and soldered the cap and lens mounts. A huge effort here to restore the car to original.

Tim here with the lamps being tested - Photo by Buzz Morisette

Inset in the image above is a catalog photocopy that was scaled to the pipe size in order to get dimensions for the parts made.