Entries by Roger Kramer

Following Pauline's fine report on the restoration of the ACL diner, Birmingham I will update the reader with a small report on the other coach department project, the Rock Island 2612.  Like Mike and his crew I have been leading another small crew in restoring to operation the 2612.  We are finally seeing some progress towards that end. This coach will be used to help the museum make more $ from future events such as this years Thomas Days.  Here then is the latest news.











Other projects being worked on in the coach dept are the EL 556  interior, and the CB&Q 1923 RPO buffer. The Birmingham needs further funds to continue  the fine work Mike and crew have accomplished.   Won't you consider  a donation the next time you send a check to Irm? Again, please don't forget the Barn 14 building project!!. I am sure more news will be forth coming about this important project once the summer season ends.    Please  don't forget it.    Thanks      Roger Kramer

                                                    I will make this entry a two-for....The crew has accomplished quite a bit in the last two sessions.  We are well on the way of accomplishing our goal of making the 2612 available for Day out with Thomas and the event of the year, the 4-Day Labor Day Extravaganza. Last Sunday, Brian Patterson and myself worked on sanding, prepping and priming two panels on the long wall.  Each side of the car has a total of nine panels.  With two more primed we only have two left on that side to work on.                                                    This last Wednesday was a very beautiful day with low humidity. I guess that's the reason the crew successfully completed the last two panels on the one side and have now switched to the remaining side. Loraine started the day by painting parts of 15 seat frames. She then switched to her favorite activity of scraping paint off the wall.  She loves it!  Dan, her husband, and Brian Patterson spent most of the day sanding the two remaining panels.  Brian also began sanding on the other side.  Meanwhile, Ray Erickson spent the day stripping off  layers of upholstery on three seat cushions revealing the old brown layer.  We will use that material in this car for the foreseeable future.  I then also help sand and wire wheel  many hard to reach areas.  Lastly,  I then primed the last two panels at the end of the day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Now, there is still plenty of time to join our crew!   Please consider coming out to support the museum by volunteering your time on a project.   Like one of the team said " Now, you can see  progress!"   The 2612 team meets every Wed around 11am either east of barn 3 or by the entrance to barn 11.   Won't you consider joining us?                                                                                                  Please also remember to send in a donation to the Barn 14 Building Project.    Thanks       Roger Kramer

The reason I have made a special effort in mentioning this topic is the fact that there are a number of women volunteering in the coach dept. We would like to have more! Ladies, IF you have often considered helping out but just did not know how your efforts  and talents could be utilized; we in the coach dept would certainly be interested in your volunteerism.   Already, we have four women working on various projects. I would like to name them and given them special "Thank You's" from the male members of the department.   The four members contributing to the success of the dept this year are the following: Shelly Vanderschaegen, Pauline Talbert, Nancy Ring and Loraine Bixler.  Nancy and Loraine have been volunteering their efforts in the RI 2612 all this year. Their contributions  can not be understated for they are an intrinsic part of the team. Thanks to both of you for helping us "guys'.

If any of you ladies are interested in joining our team.    Please contact the Passenger Coach Dept via the IRM office.   Remember to keep sending those donations in for the new barn 14.  We have not forgotten your  interests in building it.....       Thanks      Roger