Entries by Roger Kramer

            After all these years of waiting the coach dept is finalizing  plans to move CB&Q 1309 located in Denver, Colorado and the CB&Q Silver Beaver located in Madison, Illinois to our museum campus.  As some of you might remember, both pieces are complete and are "Q" baggage cars.  "What is the big hold up,"  you ask?   It's the usually answer:  $ MONEY!    Where as, moving lighter weight equipment is less expensive, these two pieces will cost much more than the usuall 3 to 4 thousand dollars each.  Yes, acquiring new equipment these days is very, very expensive.    

       Let me first explain the situation behind the heavy weight baggage car 1309.  The museum has owned this car since 2002 and has considered moving it a number of times but something always comes up to shove it to the back burner.    Now with a renewed excitement we are working on moving this car to Irm.  Our largest problem is $.  We are considering the possibility of trucking it from the  Denver area to Irm.  Please  consider supporting this acquisition!    It's about time to do something with this project!       Recently, I asked  Brian La Kemper  if he had any contacts in the Denver area so that we could have current pictures of the car.   His contacts sent us these pictures.   They are graciously supplied by one gentleman in the Denver railfan community.   His name is Nick Gully  and we thank him for his efforts and granting permission to use his pictures.          The 1309 will cost more money to move on account of its age, distance from the museum and weight.    Please consider a donation to the 1309!              Now to the Silver Beaver, and yes, that's its name.  Sister cars were named, the Silver Stag, Bear, Buffalo, Coyote and Antelope.  Do you see where this train of thought came from?  Unfortunately,  I do not have any current pictures of the 801,  Silver Beaver.  This car is also a baggage car but is a completely different configuration.   It is a light weight stainless steel fluted car and was built by the Budd Co in 1948 for service on the California Zephyr.  As some of you already know the Silver Pony, our Dome coach# 1108,  was also built for the California Zephyr.  This baggage car will fit perfectly with our Zephyr consist, as well as, our other stainless train set.    The Silver Beaver will cost less $ money to move because of its rather close proximity to Irm  and the age of the car.  The 801 has roller bearing trucks and will be shipped on its own wheels to the museum.   Estimates to transport this baggage car range from 5 to 7 thousand dollars!                                                                                                                                                                          Since its baseball spring training season; Here's the Pitch.....We would like to bring both cars home to Irm before......Before Opening Day or the World Series!   That will depend on you, our generous supporters of our museum.   To keep these two projects rolling to Irm, please consider donations to the CB&Q 1309 and The SILVER BEAVER.    The 1309 would look great on our steam train and the Silver Beaver would look equally magnificent with our Nebraska Zephyr!!         Thanks                Roger  Kramer 

      This news from the woodshop has been provided to me by  George "Buzz" Morisette.  Many different projects are being work on in our shop facilities.    We all are especially thankful that we have this fine HEATED area to work on these many projects.  Lorne Tweed has just finished painting the underside of the motorman's platform for our Cleveland PCC  Bill is painting wood siding for the "Pennsy" Cabin car. Many people call it a caboose but in Pennsylvania RR terms it was called a "Cabin."  This project will start this coming year.  If and when the snow and cold ever leaves. Dave, also part of Freight Car Team,  is painting more siding for the Cabin.  What a fine job!  Victor is looking mighty proud because the stove has been finally cleaned of dirt and rust.Here is a upclose shot of the insignia that was found underneath the rust.  No doubt about it.   It's a Pennys stove!  Victor was showing everyone this headlight!  This will be the headlight for the CGW Russell plow and is completely restored and ready for installation.  Many parts were donated, scrounged and repaired to make this one whole.  Good job guys!  This addition will return the plow to it as built look. We could have used the Russell a few weeks ago.   Rich Witt spends a lot of time at this table.  Not pictured but receiving a lot of attention is the fine work Jeff Brady and Norn Krental are doing on the ME 28! Here Buzz took a picture of Randy Hicks and Larry Stone working on the 3rd rail  beams for their ongoing project, CA&E 36  Here Randy poses for this picture.   Buzz decided to take his picture since Randy is the one, generally, taking the picture.Buzz has been working on a new project for the display cars.  It will be a new display case to house and interpret our many railroad lanterns.   These oak cabinet bases have just been glued and are in the glue press for drying.  This project Buzz has been working at home installing new wire or the future installation into the dining room of the Ely.   This will be the finishing touch for a three year restoration of the ceiling in the private car. Buzz has acquired from the UPRR an original decal that will be applied later this year to our UP Turbine  #18.    Lastly, here is a view of the Electroliner sitting in Barn 4 waiting to be spotted over the pit to begin the removal of damaged traction motors.   Rod Turner  is leading this very important project!  The motors will be then sent to a contractor and rebuilt to our specifications and then reinstalled.  No easy task!                      Did you ever wonder what becomes of your donations to the various projects?   This is a prime example of money being used from your contributions to better these projects and others around our museum campus.   With income tax season here why not consider a donation of some of your refund to a project or two at the Illinois Railway Museum.    You will be amazed how we can stretch a dollar!    Thanks to Buzz Morisette for photographing the pictures and the idea for the update.        Roger

           The first weekend of February was a busy one.  Here are a few highlights.                 This is just a few views of the activity in the shop.  The cold weather does not keep these diehards from coming out and working on their favorite projects.   Please consider joining the crew.      Roger