Passenger Car Department

                         Gary and I were out on a Thursday,3-6, instead of the usual Wednesday.    It snowed Wednesday.     Gee... what else is new!    Gary and I spent most of the day drilling and tapping new holes for which the seat frames will again be fastened. V

    What a job!   In order to save a little time we used my three drill motors with three different bite sizes to drill the holes.    If any of you have spare titanium  drill bites we could sure use them.    We then tapped each hole with a 1/4-20 tap.   Each seat frame will be fastened to the wall with at least  6  1/4-20 flat head brass fasteners.    My arms were tired from drilling and Gary's was tired from tapping.   We have 11 frames to reinstall with 6 screws each  being used to fasten to the newly installed steel wall.   That's at least 66 fasteners just on this one leg of the job.    I'll tell you the revised count when we have completed the work.

                         Here is something new.   We began removing more rusty steel walls on Saturday, March 8 .   This time in back of the 3 nickel seats [long bench seats closest to the doors].  We have decided to cut and remove three nickel seat frames,  get them repaired and then reinstall them after the walls has been repaired. 

  Part of the reason this decision was made was on account of this years board candidate, Nick Kallas.     He astutely observed the frail condition of one of the nickel seat frames and suggested that we repair it.    Upon further investigation  we decided to indeed "fix the problem."    That problem turned into three problems. 

                       That's where we stand today. 

    Gary and I also decided to remove one more steel section behind three more seat frames.     We might as well replace those sections while we have the opportunity.  Once the interior repairs are made this coach will reliable in service way beyond my years.   That's the way it should be looked at.   We are preserving it for the future.    

                                       If you would like to help with this steel purchase send your donations to the Rock Island 2612 Project!  

                     And remember too that Irm might be building two storage barns!!.      Donations to the Barn 13 and 14 storage barns are being accepted.        Thanks   Roger  Kramer 

                                                    Here's one of those rather revealing reports on our  RI 2612 project. 

 

  This is a sample of the work Paul Cronin and the woodshop crew has been producing for our project.   Just  painted sections of  poplar  wood made into window sills.  

   It was another snowy Feb, Wednesday the 26,  but there is always a Wednesday crew to enjoy  a little lunch.       Walking back to the 2612 I found Gary all ready to start fitting the new steel panels onto the wall.  

                                                                                        

                                     

 

           The last photo of March 1, shows the three sheets are fit into place and have  screws already drilled and taped.    The drilling and taping of the rest of screws will complete this part of the job on our next visit March 6th.     I hope  warmer weather is also going to visit us...  and too you the reader wherever you live.    

            Too help this project along Gary and I are asking for a few volunteers to come out and assist us with sandblasting duties.   We are in search of people, male or female, to clean metal  parts that have been removed from the seat frames.   Since they have been removed we should clean and paint them before the reinstallation.    If you are interested please meet us in back of barn 3 on any  Wednesday or Saturday for further "How to" instructions.   If you have another day that you are available please let us know.   We will make the appropriate accommodations.   It's not hard work  but it does take some time.   Bring you lunch and something to drink and we can lunch inside or out, weather permitting.  

                           Remember,  to donate to the  BARNS 13 and14 building fund.    Yes, we might build 2,  Yes 2!!!!!!!!!!      Thanks  for  reading this blog                        Please share if with your friends.                Roger  Kramer