Freight Car Department

CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN 4051

IT IS HERE, safe and sound!  Now all we need is some snow. 

Front and Right

Left and Rear

Builders Plate

This winter was not typical but who knows what the future will hold.  Here is the plow as it sits today on our Yard 8 Connector Track.  It has been little modified over its life, but there are some changes we will probably do like close up the doorway cut into the rear end of the plow.  And of course make new windows and doors to replace those that are missing.

Diagram

Here is a railroad diagram sheet of the plow supplied by Erich Russ courtesy of Chicago & North Western Historical Society.

The plow was delivered as number X 38 and sported at least three color schemes on the CGW. More research is needed, but it seems right now that it was maroon with the railroad name and Corn Belt logo, then maroon with black plow faces and roof and reporting marks only, and finally all over bright orange.  That could change as we get more research done.  Morning Sun Books has published data so if you have a copy of their book, please review that section.

The final scheme was in C&NW yellow with the ball and bar herald (after the merger) but still retaining CGW reporting marks, renumbered as 4051.  Note that there was a temporary drawbar that was removed from the plow when working snow to provide a smoother face for shedding the snow.  If we were to paint our plow in the maroon scheme, it would be a perfect match to our restored CGW 601 caboose, and could stage a credible plow train consist for photos.

Amazingly, it seemed to sport only these few color schemes over its service life, and of course was always lettered for CGW, even after CNW absorbed that line.

I would be remiss if I did not take time out here to recognize our member, Mr. Lucien Opperman, who has supported the project and done a LOT of legwork and research into the history.  He resides over 2000 miles from us in Union, but has taken the effort to help on this.  Isn't the internet wonderful?  Thank you!

But wait, I am getting ahead of myself.  The FIRST thing we need to do is to cover all acquisition costs which may include purchase, transportation, and associated track charges.  We have had some very generous support, especially from IRM members, and some of these were making good on pledges made five years ago when the possibility of first acquiring this plow first came up.  I have a list and if any of you are unsure of your promise, please contact me separately so I can refresh your memory.

But as new equipment goes, this happened quickly and on a fairly small budget.  Getting this plow - PRICELESS.  PLEASE, let's begin its IRM history by erasing all charges and starting off with a clean slate.  Donations may be sent to

Illinois Railway Museum

Box 427

Union IL 60180

And designate it for the CGW Snowplow or for fund  R 4051.

It has been a long standing tradition that pieces of equipment at IRM have been placed on what is called the Permanent Collection List.  I cannot for sure tell you what it means specifically.  Having the membership vote to place something on that list also means only a vote of the membership can remove something from that list. 

Presumably (by me) that means a piece of equipment is regarded for long term preservation at IRM.

Dave Diamond Photo

Over FOUR DECADES ago we acquired a wood bodied gondola, Chicago & Western Indiana 1185 (circa 1913), which is unique to our collection and has an interesting historical story to tell.  It is the ONLY freight car on or published roster to have been built by Haskell & Barker. However no member support was forthcoming and only $300 of donations in total over 41 years.

Mother nature has taken its toll on this car and at this year's membership meeting the consensus was that this car is not listed as part of our PERMANENT COLLECTION.  This is a hard decision to make but clearly this is beyond our resources to save any longer.  I do not think it can be RESTORED at any cost, but a REPLICA could be built using some of the parts at an estimated cost of $60,000.  As it sits it is a hazard and there is some question it will hold together enough to be moved on its own wheels.

So do not be surprised if this car 'goes away' soon.  This state did not happen in the last two years or five years, or ten, so do not ask me why I did nothing about it.  I suppose many will read this as an obituary and in a way it is.  We celebrate our victories and mourn our fallen comrades.

There continue to exist many wood bodied freight and passenger cars sitting outdoors year around in various states of repair or disrepair.  What can we do to assure this does not happen to more of our collection?  If we do not have the labor or funds to work on them immediately, the simple answer is that we MUST raise funding to place them inside the next Barn Building to be built.  Placing them under roof will serve in effect to arrest over 95% of any continuing deterioration and buy time until the 'next generation' may devote time and energy to them.  Please donate to INDOOR STORAGE SPACE for either of the above departments or to the restricted fund for any individual favorite car.

Here is a short report from Buzz Morisette who has been steadily working on this car.

ATSF 1400

Our roster shows this wood caboose as being built by American Car and Foundry in 1923.  It has several unique features and is well worth preservation. Note the rotating arm and signal disc which could be operated from the cupola.

New Flooring

New flooring was being installed in the interior during summer 2011.

Old Windows

The original or old windows are shown before removal in Spring 2012.  I say original with lack of conviction since historical photographs show a different style and arrangement of the sash.

Mortise and Tenon Detail

The new sash are constructed with exacting precision using traditional joinery featuring mortise and tenons.

New Windows Installed

And the new windows are being installed now, Spring 2012.

And the inevitable commercial message.  A lot of this work, all of it really, is being funded by donations to the restricted fund for this car, R1400.  And as a wood bodied car living outdoors, we greatly hope to raise funding to that same account which will allow us to subscribe to indoor storage space.  Can you help?