This weekend was dedicated to cleaning out the interior of LA Brill 8002. Richard Schauer and I lugged the stuff to the front of the coach, then moving it all out the front door to the staging area beside the coach, finally to the final storage place to await reinstallation onto the coach. As with the other coaches from OERM, there was dust EVERYWHERE!!! We not only battled this when removing the parts, but sweeping the coach out afterward was a new adventure in dustiness.
Another very productive weekend in the TB Dept. Richard Schauer and I started yesterday (07/03) by pulling out the LA Brill. We cleaned and organized the area around the coach’s spot, including some of the big components that are destined for it. We then wyed the coach and pushed it back into the garage. This will allow us easier access to work inside. Today (07/04), Richard and I pulled out 4 coaches to be included in the annual Trolley Pageant and lined them up on Central Avenue just east of Depot St. This year the pageant moved back to the carline, so we were able to be included. Nick Kallas inserted the coaches in logical breaking points in the pageant – between rapid transit cars and work equipment, between electric locomotives and interurbans, etc. We arranged the coaches in ascending age order. Richard started us off by operating the Seattle M-A-N 4020. After Nick’s dissertation about the coach, Richard went to Railroad Avenue, turned north, then parked the coach diagonally near the end of wire. The coaches stayed there on display until the parade was over. I followed with the Edmonton BBC 181, next was the Chicago Marmon 9553, then Richard returned to finish up with the Chicago Brill-American 84. We then returned the coaches to the Andersen Garage. All in all, a good weekend!
Another productive day. Richard Schauer and I started by pushing the SF 614 to the front door of the Hoffman Garage. This allowed the battery compartment door to clear the coach next to it and allowed us access to install the brand new battery. Once completed we moved upstairs. Several weeks ago, Richard and I replaced the trolley bases on the roof of the coach. Today, it was time to replace the poles, which had to be done outside. The three of us mustered up the strength once again to push the back half of the coach outside the garage. The poles went on without too much of a struggle. While I took a couple hours away to video the 749 dedication (Nice job Gwen – you put on a GREAT show!!! The 749 looks FANTASTIC!!!!), Richard found two good retrievers, installed rope on them, tied the ropes to the poles and it was ready for action. After the dedication, we used the stinger to put power to the coach. After the inevitable troubleshooting, we were able to run it back into the Hoffman Garage. Richard has been slowly but surely replacing trolley rope on many of the coaches. Today it was the 4020. We still have a few more to do, but he’s made a nice dent in that little project.
Comments
Fri, 03-29-2024 21:26
We're slackers and spend more time working on the equipment in the shop than keeping all you readers updated. We'll work on it, but I'm sure updates [...]
Thu, 03-14-2024 08:02
What happened to the Department Blog? It's been over 2 years and I still regularly check for updates, but nothing comes...
Mon, 12-27-2021 16:28
Happy New Year to all the Departments at the Illinois railway Museum! Thanks for all the good work you do in railroad preservation. Ted Miles, [...]
Wed, 10-13-2021 13:33
Was the CB&Q 1309 every transported to IRM?I’ve been reading old issues of Rail&Wire and the car was mentioned several times.
Mon, 06-07-2021 22:40
I was wondering if in the model layout display what scale would you guys be using and would you be displaying model train history as well? Just [...]
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!
Tue, 06-01-2021 16:47
I hope the work will continue on the UP #428. Now that they are the museum's connection to the national railroad network; she would be very [...]
Sat, 04-17-2021 23:07
What is the status of 126, the Milwaukee Buffet car that is in S. Dakota? Any guess on when or if it will get to IRM?
Wed, 04-14-2021 21:09
Perhaps it is time to scrap the remains of the c, B & Q 7128 to make room for the Villa Real. Ted miles, IRM member
Wed, 04-14-2021 15:26
Hi IRM my name is Jason and I was wonder If you guys would be willing to save a CN Dash8-40cm they are currently being retired by CN and being [...]
Fri, 04-09-2021 19:56
Bear in mind that the Nebraska Zephyr is an articulated train set, so cars cannot be inserted at will. Although cars and/or a second engine could be [...]
Wed, 03-31-2021 11:37
I believe Silver Pony is currently on the back burner, and has been put into storage in one of the barns. The car needs a lot of work done to it's [...]