Entries by Roger Kramer

                           Here are a couple of updates from the Coach dept rolled into one Blog.       First,   Mike, Ray, and Mark have been completeing the annual assessments and inspections of the operating  coach fleet.   This takes about a month to month and one half.  They have been  checking on  the functions of brakes, wheels, and the condition of the trucks.   This year upon inspection of the Inglehome's wheels and truck frame it has been determined that one truck has a serious defect and it has been taken out of service.   Until this is resolved the  observation car will not be operating anymore!   Taking into consideration that it is more then 100 years old it will need some Major work to be placed back in service.                                                                                                                                                    Another project almost finished  by the Sunday crew has been and cleaning and repair of the "Silver train."  Last week Mike, Ray, amd Shelly installed the portable A/C  units into the various car to keep them "Kool" for the Summer viewing public.    More guided tours are on the schedule for this year.     A note for you folks who enjoy these cars is the fact that Track Storage Charges have not been paid on the LOCH SLOY!    If you would like to help erase this debt Please send a donation to the LOCH  SLOY FUND.  It owes more than $6,000.    Thank You!!!                             This Spring, one more project  has again started up.    It's the restoration of the women's bathroom in the John Mcloughlin sleeper.    Irm is hosting a convention for the Great Northern  RR Historical Society in late July of this year and touring  John Mcloughlin is on part of the schedule.  This gives the small team of Mark, Brian, and Roger  an added incentive to make things happen.  Would you like to join us?  Just stop by any Saturday in back of Barn #3.  Look us up!      We'll be there!                              A major project gaining added interest is the Lake City.   Already, it has been switched to the front of Barn #3 for display.   Please come in and view this amazing car!    John Mckelvy has also been working on reupholsterying the seat cushions in the section area of the sleeper-obs.    The lights  are working; ready for your viewing.   Not many museums can boist of four obs cars lit and ready for  viewing like we have at iRM!!!               Lastly,  recent news has been bloged about the reinstallation of many exterior windows in the D M & IR 84.   Chuck has done a great job!   The car was already back in service for the WW11 reenactment days this last weekend.  Great Job.     Don't forget to consider a donation to the Loch Sloy fund and the Inside  Storage Fund.   We are still working towards this "new barn" goal.    Thanks   Roger Kramer     

                                      The Cafe/Coach 1094 has received a significant  improvement to restoration of the car. Specifically, eight replica brass sconces have been installed in the dinning room.    These were made at home, over this last winter, by Jack Biesterfeld and then installed in the BM 1094 these last couple of weeks.    Just as important is how this improvement will be viewed by the visitor.   It will improve the  vistors experience.    How?    Just look at the results thur the car's window.       It really, really dresses up the diner.    Its a beautiful example of the elegance of early 1900's upper class, railroad travel.                                                   Another interior improvement was  advanced while Jack was  home replicating the sconces.    Shown in the next set of three pictures are the before and after of the  work and effort proformed by Mike, Ray and Mark Gellman.   The oil tank and its various pipe attackments were finally removed.  You can see the results with the last picture.    Sure looks different.    What was once there you ask?     This was the area for the Baker heater and the mens bathroom.     Eventually, the mens bathroom and it's appointments will be installed.                                              Would you like to help "Smilin Jack" achieve more improvements on this beautiful cafe diner?  Jack tells me there are a couple of "HOT" projects on this years list.    On the list  is the installation of two curved windows being manufactured by the museum's wood shop.     Please see Bob Kutella's woodshop Blog for construction pictures of the windows.  Ted Anderson is going to construct  two stain glass windows for these frames.   Together, Jack and Ted will install them.   The other project is centered on the vestibule reconstruction.   Needed in this job are some big dollars for the manufacture of two steel stairs.   Jack also plans to strip off all the old paint in this vestibule.                                                                                                                                                                 Please consider helping this project with donation to the BM 1094 Restricted Fund.    A N D    don't forget to send a donation to the  Barn 14 building fund.   We, at Irm, are still working towards building this barn!!!  Please don't forget.                            Thanks         Roger Kramer                   

                                                      This last Saturday found the Track dept hard at work on our main line replacing some old ties with new.     THIS is hard work.   Hats off to the track dept for the planning and installation of this program.   Earlier in the year a number of trucks delivered 750 new ties to Irm for the main line upgrade.   Do any of you know the cost of one tie?                         It is $33.00 delivered.   You can do the math.   Its very expensive.  When you donate to the Track Fund some of your donations go to the purchase and maintence of the equipment and supplies.  This tie replacement program happens every year and it keeps our railroad in tip top shape.  Safety is the word.                                               A few weeks ago the crew marked which ties to remove.    The next week the crew removed the spike and tie plate on each of those marked ties.    Todays pictures are the result of the that previous planning.                                                                                                 A big thank you to the following museum members who volunteered to make this project happen.   Mike Alterio, Terry Elliot, Frank Devries, Bob Olsen, Mark Reimer and Pat Shea.       This "tie gang" will be out again next weekend.    Would you like to join them?     Just met in front of Barn 2 and be sure and wear steel-toed shoes!    Bob might even tell you a story or two how we used to do things without machines.   THAT was fun...                                                                                                                                                                                         Thanks fellows for repairing the machines and making this possible.     Without their efforts the railroad would have a speed restriction of 10 mph!!    Track maintenance is vital to the museums growth and safety.   Please consider a donation to the Track Dept Fund!     While your at it..... again.....please consider sending a little extra to the Barn 14 Building Fund.       Thanks     Roger Kramer