Rock Island 2612

Here is a little progress report on our job to completely restore the 2612 to operation.  Our crew has expanded their efforts and I now see the possibility of getting all window frames and window sills painted before Thomas! Yes, the entire interior might be completely repainted by the time Thomas rolls up to our gate!   Its a great job everyone has been doing.  It's a lot of repetitive work. You would be surprised how long some tasks take. Eventually if you keep at it, the work does get completed.    These four people are the nucleus of our work team on the RI 2612.   Thanks again to Howard,  Loraine, Dan and Austin.   Without them the car would not be ready for this years Thomas Event!. 

       The weather has warmed and so has the interest on the RI 2612.   Last week, Brian Paterson and Brian La Kemper preformed a single car air test on the coach and found a pair of leaks that must be repaired  before the coach can be placed back in service.  This weekend found the both of them repairing those leaks.    This involved replacing a leaking angle cock and an air line "T" fitting.  In this case, like most of the older equipment, the replacement of the pipe became more involved.  Helping the two Brian's was young Phil from the steam shop.   Together they had to remove twenty feet of air line pipe in order to repair the damaged "T" fitting.  Nothing is easy!    Hopefully, with the help of Tom Schneider and other steam shop members a new pipe will be bent and installed next weekend.   My thanks for all those helping to make this repair!   

     And on the exterior...... Last Wednesday, Austin Harvey, began needle chipping the second vestibule.     Saturday, Howard and Mary Gierer continued the chipping and removed almost 2/3 of the old yellow paint from below the belt rail.   Thanks to all three of you for your continued efforts.      We hope to continue prepping this side for the eventual painting of the  Pullman green color this year.  Would you like to join us?  It seems as if Wednesdays are the perfect time for midweek activities at Irm.   If you can't make on a Wednesday I am also at the barn 3 most Tuesday's and Thursday's.      As always,  I enjoy helping you, the volunteer, get started on a project.    Please stop by Barn 3 for a visit and view our progress!                   Roger   

               I would like to publicly thank all the following volunteers who faithfully partook in the restoration of Rock Island 2612 and the repaint of Rock island 2602!    Without your interest and devotion  these projects would not have been completed.    So...   Thank you all again for your efforts.    We are continuing working on some projects  and starting others.    See you then.     

                      Gary Sherman, Loraine Bixler, Dan Bixler, Dave Cook, Brian Patterson, Andy Patterson, Mark Hoffman,  Ray Erickson, Austin Harvey, Kyle Vander Meer, Jane Blackburn,  Andy Townsend, Mary Geier, Howard Geier, Jan Hervert, Nancy Ring, Dan Boguse, Mike Steigerwald, John Mckelvey, Eric Olesen, Brian La Kemper, Shelly Vanderschaegen, Jim Opolony, Paul Cronin,  Matt Voss, Chase Renwick, Logan Gaerlan, Warren Newhauser, Roger Kramer  and from the steam dept; Christian Ellis, Jim Opolony, Eric Wahlmark  and Dave.  Here, again, are more pictures of some of the crew in various degrees of action. 

Gary

Jan and Loriane

Gary and Brian LaKemper

Dave

Dave Cook

    I am certainly proud of all of you for volunteering your time and labor in these two projects.        Roger Kramer     

Mary and Howard 

Austin

Brian, John our contract welder, and Roger 

 Howard, Gary, Roger, Loraine Dan and Dave 

Roger and Kyle  

Jane and Austin  

        Would you like to meet new people,  who also have similar train interests, and at the same time help restore and maintain museum artifacts?   Why not join our team and begin volunteering this coming week.   We meet in back of barn 3 where there is plenty of parking.    Remember to bring your lunch and your favorite drink.    All else is supplied including good conversation!       Thanks