Entries by Roger Kramer

Here's a new and positive development being announced!  We now have added a second work session for our volunteers on weekdays!   Thursdays have now been added to our summer work schedule to further our production on our  coach fleet.    So if you can't make Wednesday volunteering in the coach dept please consider the new day of Thursday.   The most important part is that we are still having fun and will be accomplishing twice as much.   Boy, the improved interiors sure make a difference.  That is what we in the coach dept are aiming for to  enhance our visitor experience at Irm.    Here are some pictures of our latest efforts this last week of June 2016.The Dover bedroom project also at the same time. More upgrades on the Rock Island fleet.   Adding an additional volunteer work day certainly helps improve the appearance of our passenger coach fleet.  Want to join us and can't make out on Wednesdays?    How about a Thursday?  Paul and I will be there to help get you started.     Thanks   Roger      

I am just adding to what Nigel has said about the Shay.     Here are a few more pictures of the progress.    Most people do not realize how much work it went into getting the Shay to just this point!    This was not only a weekend working session for many of the volunteers but also a week day effort.   I was out working on the passenger coach fleet on  many a weekday and often stopped by to say "hello."    You name it ...on a Monday or Tuesday  etc 3 to 6 guys were reassembling the engine, tighten this bolt or  that  etc.     This was again a team effort!   A Volunteer team effort.   Here is a short incomplete list of guys  who worked on it to get to this point    Brian D,  Brain L, Phil, JD, Christian, Cody, Ben, Jason, Dennis, Jeff and about eight others.   Their names escape me at the moment but without their hard work  it would still be siting in the shop in pieces.   Next time you stop in the shop say "Thanks".    Then drop a donation in the mail to the museum and mark it to the Steam Shop!      O yes,  Jeff ask me to remind everyone of the Steam Department Benefit Concert fundraiser again this year at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills, Illinois.   If you have never been to this unique collection of restored antique artifacts it is well worth the admission price of  $69.99.    You will also enjoy a beautiful pipe organ concert from the talented brother of Jeff.   Yes, Jeff's brother is quite a talented musician.   Tickets can be purchased on line and the doors open at 1PM.  Hope to see you this coming Sunday.      Thanks  Roger 

Here is our good news for Fathers Day. WE are almost to the point of releasing the 556 for service.   Here's a detailed account of our latest work sessions. First,  I would like to welcome Jeff Button to our growing list of volunteers.    Jeff is from Harvard, Illinois and enjoys watching the 1630 pulling in and out of East  Union.                                                  Yes, as you can see, the lights do operate in this coach.  We might have some night operations with these coaches later this fall.  Next to last little project is to move the seat backs and cushions from their storage location in the Bessemer 25 combine to their proper location in the 556.   Again, Paul Cronin and I thank all of you who participated in this lengthy but important restoration of the Erie Lackawanna 556 interior.Remember.....the 556 once looked like this. This project was first started  in 2009 by Mike, Ray, and Shelly.   Now, after a much concentrated effort and leadership by Paul Cronin the coach is almost completed. We would still like to repaint the exterior.  It needs it.   The last time all three cars were painted were in the middle 1970's.   Don't you think they deserve a new coat of paint!?   Estimated cost is about $16,000 each.     We will see if the new 2017 budget will earmark this expenditure!   Don't  forget to come out and view our new paint job.  I think you will be impressed with all our hard work.    Thanks  Roger