Mt Harvard

This last year, 2021, was very productive with our volunteers working on various projects in and around barn 10. The Mt Harvard is a case in point. What follows is just a sampling of what has been accomplished since my last update on this sleeper.

Paul and Ed removing window frames.

One of the major tasks on the MT HARVARD that started in 2020 and carried over to 2021 was the restoration of all interior and exterior window frames. Counting all 40 frames to be removed inspected and repainted was by far a monumental task.

Details of just one section.

John Knoll is working on the window sill.

Installing glass into one of the exterior frames includes all of the needed parts.

Another view.

This last Spring I talked to Buzz in the wood shop and hired him to make four missing exterior window frames. Three for the Men's restroom and one for the interior hallway. He really did a fine job. Thanks Buzz. The ability to hire in-house staff to complete some tasks such as creating window frames sure expedites the work progress. Your donations to the MT HARVARD project make this possible! Thank you.

Buzz and one of the new window frames.

All four frames ready for glazing and painting.

The mens bathroom being prepped for paint removal.

The mens bathroom is the last major interior paint project.

Some old paint has already been removed.

Shelving now removed.

A large view of the car side with John working in the window opening.

One of our new volunteers Dave Van Bergern working in the mens bathroom.

If you wish to continue to see this kind of progress, please consider making a donation to the MT HARVARD FUND! Thank You! Roger.

The Mt Harvard has changed its appearance since my last report on the sleeper. We have continued working on it through the winter and have made great strides on our goal of operating the Pullman. The change, has been amazing! I will explain as well as letting the pictures do the talking. You will remember we had our first xmas party in the Mt Harvard lounge last December. At that time party goers were impressed when shown our progress on the sleeper. We are making more progress concentrating now on the vestibule. Renewing and repairing that area is now our goal. Along with that is the prepping of both exterior sides for future painting.

Here is what the vestibule deck looked like in November 2018.

Another view of the project ahead of us.

Gregg has been restoring the vestibule deck floor. He has done this by removing the old rusted steel plate and then installing new painted steel sheets to support the deck.

He now has the new deck plate installed and painted black.

A more detailed view of the replacement steel welded in place.

This exterior sheet has also been replaced.

Gregg finished drilling holes and now a second coat of primer has been applied.

January, 2020 Gregg was busy fitting a new side panel into place.

He is checking his work.

North side of the vestibule.

The long awaited installation of the second stair. I am sure glad I had them manufactured eight months ago.

In April 2019 I contracted with Harmony Metal of Gilberts, Illinois to manufacture 6 duplicate stairs at a cost of $1200 ea.  One stair was installed in August, 2019 on the Mt Harvard. Now the second stair has been installed. An additional four stairs were made for the John McLoughlin's future installation.   

Just a reminder what the area looked like before we started this side of the restoration.

Here Sandi is trying to persuade the stair to get into proper alignment.

Using a comealong device, we moved the stair into position. Gregg drill holes from underneath and then fastened the last stair to the frame of the car.

Here is the finished product.  A couple of things must be added but now one can enter the sleeper from either side of the car.

The next job we worked on was installation of the two steam traps. These were removed in order to transport the Mt Harvard from the Mid Continent RR Museum to IRM.

The last project we started on before the shutdown was the rebuilding of the two traps for the vestibule. Parts have been made for the rebuild but we ran out of time to reassemble them.

Here Gregg is removing the brass support pieces for future installation.

We have also been working on the exterior. 

Here Bob Olsen of Waukegan, Illinois, is sanding one side of the car in preparation for future painting. 

Bill L. Davis, part of the father son team.

Darek Mitura pausing for the camera while  sanding a panel.

Bill R. Davis prepping the rivets.

I am so very proud of all the volunteers and employees that have contributed to this project! Many hours of work still lay ahead of us but we are all working together to get the job done. The Virus has complicated our time frame to return the Mt Harvard to limited service. Hopefully, we still might see the project get finished by the end of this year.

The Mt Harvard restoration is being solely funded by your donations to the restricted fund. Please consider a donation to help with the restoration of the Mt Harvard project! https://www.irm.org/donations/category/passenger-car-department/  

After the bathroom was repainted my energies turned to repainting the walls between the sections. Here is the photo essay on the project.

Tim Fennel, our newest volunteer, is sanding the dividers in preparation for priming. 

He along with Dale Steichen, Bob Olsen, Jessie  Felt and Sandi Harreld made this repaint possible.

Sandi here is priming.

More Sanding

Then I decided to strip and small area where the lower berth lights are installed. Now there is more continuity with all areas repainted.

Early May finds Sandi again doing what she does best, painting with primer.

We also removed more old paint on the wall adjoining  the womens bathroom.

Thanks  Roger