Wood Shop

There was a lot of work done and a lot accomplished in the last week.  Stay tuned as I hope to find time to post extensive updates.

Stakes

Dan Fenlaciki was at the big bandsaw cutting new stakes for a flatcar project being managed by Mark Secco.  I think this is for CGW W 52 which acts as a crane tender car.

Wear Plates

Gerry Dettlof and John Faulhaber are installing steel plates to either side of the freight door on Lake Shore Electric 810.  Their purpose is to minimize damage, dents, and dings when freight is loaded or unloaded from this traction trailer.

Left Side

Gerry continued with installation of the second steel panel to the left of the door.

Herald

I was caught in the act of painting the second Great Northern herald on our GN 70104 hopper car.

In the Clouds

Frank Kehoe had his head in the clouds as I caught his good side in the viewfinder.  L car CRT 1797 was 'modernized' in the 1930's with a drop ceiling.  Years of crud, dirt and debris have accumulated, and he was diligently applying the shop vacuum to improve the situation.

On the Roof

Tim Peters, meanwhile, is applying the finishing touches to the completed roof of the 1797.  A lot of work, a lot of parts and paint, and an uncommon persistence to finish the job.  Usually the phrase "Petering out" means you are fading in the mission.  Not so with Tim Peters.

Lest We Forget

It is tradition that we remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women this weekend, but it also marks the 30th anniversary of a very significant milestone in the growth and development of IRM.  The button on the hat above was issued May 31, 1982 marking the opening of a mainline extension project that added over a mile of operations to IRM.  Note to self:  Do not try to take a picture of a white button on a black hat.

One Done

Part of the reason this report is late this week is that I have spent the last three days at IRM striving to get the lettering completed on our hopper, Great Northern 70104.  That, and very balky computer this AM.  But the first herald is done and this completes all lettering on the right side of the car.

Onward

The transfer pattern we created is in place on the second or left side and ready to move onward.  The pattern was traced and the inner black circle has been painted.

Side Patch

Victor Humphreys is at the drill press fabricating the second side patch for our B&O wagon top boxcar.

Dust Shields

The set of eight new dust shields has been finished, and ready to have a coating applied.  These slide into place over the axles behind the journal boxes on the car being restored on our TMS project, Milwaukee Electric 972.

Windows

The crew was in high gear this weekend doing work on Cleveland Transit System 4223.  Here, Lorne Tweed is using the torch to apply heat and to remove bound up screws in a window frame.  This will allow replacement of damaged glass and weatherstripping.

Window Tracks

Out in the barn, Eric Lorenz was busy drilling and tapping many holes in the window posts, ready to install the tracks for these windsows.  I forget - was it 34 holes done, 382 to go?

And Painting

Never a minute wasted!  Lorne moved on to prime painting many of the parts that have been cleaned over the last few work days.  These are pedestals, sort of a truncated pyramid in shape, that fasten to the roof of the car for ultimately holding the many next layers of parts and finally, the trolley base and pole.

Sanding

Ray Schmid was out inside Barn 4 on a scaffold where he was sanding and doing finish work on the roof of Michigan Electric 28.  What great weather for this work - 90 degrees at ground level and probably 105 up close under the metal roof.

Bending

Jeff Brady resumed the fussy work of bending and installing thin basswood slats for the rounded roof at the back end of the 28.  Here he is engineering the curvature and bends for each custom fitted slat.

Is this report too long?  Should I have divided it?

Engineering Department

Rich Witt is back in the shop and very productive, as ever.  Here he has made a new drawing and is laying out the needed cuts to make what we call dust shields for the TM 972 trucks.  These are wood inserts that fit over the axles and behind the wheels to keep debris out of the journal boxes.

All Cut Up

All of the blanks needed (eight) are made up with the next step to bore four inch diameter holes in them.

Taking Shape

The iconic Great Northern herald is taking shape on the right side of our hopper, GN 70104.  About another hour of painting will do it, completing all lettering on the right side.  Then, on to complete the left side.

Cutting

Victor Humphreys completed cutting a slot in the next section of rusted out car sides on our wagon top boxcar, B&O 374065.  Buzz Morisette brought in some artwork samples for choosing size and fonts to begin cutting the patterns for the lettering.

Fuse Box

The crew was busy on Cleveland Transit System 4223.  Here is a shot of a fuse box to be mounted on the roof, after cleanup and restoration.  They were busy on several other tasks, not pictured here.

Snapshot in Time

Henry Vincent and Gerry Dettloff look over the large restored photo mural of a Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive.  Plans are underway to return it to the depot as one of our exhibits.

Inspection

Father and son team, Randy and Frank Hicks are in the final stages of inspecting CA&E 309, something we do every year for every operating car.  CA&E 309 has just come off the pit and looks great out in the sun.

Side Door Trimmings

Gerry Dettloff shows the state of progress on Lake Shore Electric 810.  George Clark is leading this project with help from others including Gerry and Henry Vincent.

Illuminating

Pete Galayda and John Nelligan continue restoration of the steeple cab locomotive, Charles City Western 300.  Here they are working on a headlight resistance box, something allowing the head light(s) to operate.

And of course this was only part of the activity.  What is that SOUND?  Not making much of a picture, we heard a melodious thrumming coming from Chicago & West Towns 141.  The car was 'hot' with 600 volts and the air compressor was working away.  It had been tested for a short burst previously, but today ran for an extended period, checking for leaks, checking the cut in and cut out pressure settings on the governor, working the valves.  A few minor leaks will need attention, but smiles all around at the end of the day.