Mt Harvard

Our new interior painting program is well on its way for a first part conclusion.  In the previous blog I showed you part of the painted hallway leading into the lounge.   Well, that is now coated with new paint.    Thanks to Sandi, John, Bill, Dale and Bob for removing the old layers of paint and prepping them for primer and top coat.  As this was wrapping up we began our another phase by stripping old paint in the entrance hallway leading from the back door past the women's bathroom and into the section area. This is now completely stripped and awaiting sanding.     If you would like to help on this project the members meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays.    We can always used more help!  Remember our plan is to use the Mt Harvard on Museum Show Case Weekend, 2019!      Thanks    Roger

The small band of volunteers are working on three ongoing projects in the Coach Department. The progress is being made on the  Mt Harvard, Milwaukee Road 649 and the John Mcloughlin. Here are the updates for your viewing pleasure. First, is the Mt Harvard and its interior restoration. I have been slowly working on the interior with the goal of repainting the hallway leading into the lounge area of the sleeper. Before I purchased the car from Mid Continent RR Museum, its previous owner, Dick Goddard, begin the interior up grade by repainting the lounge and priming part of the hallway. I thought that would be a good place to start where he left off. The hallway was partially stripped but never finish painted. After a few weeks of work it has been primed and  now has a finish top coat.

This is a massive restoration commitment and a personal goal of mine is to restore the Mt Harvard to limited service at the museum. Before I go on I would like to thank the following crew members for their help; Dale Steichen, Bob Olsen and Kari, Sandi, Paul and Charley Voyda. Now, once the interior is painted and in good shape I will turn my attention to the exterior. That means, basically, finding a welder to work on the installation of new steel panels for the vestibule area and also along the exterior side of the sleeper below the lounge area. A large amount of money. Perhaps, $9000 FOR JUST THAT WORK. The other large expense is the manufacture of major vestibule parts. They include two traps, two stairs and the rebuilding of the two vestibule doors. Since I have some of the parts already in storage the expense should be somewhat less, maybe $7000. Again my goal is to have the Mt Harvard in operation on our demonstration heavyweight steam train showing the membership and educating the general public the significance of passenger trains to the American economy. If you would like to help with this project please consider a donation the Mt Harvard fund. And by all means when visiting IRM please stop by and visit the Mt Harvard. Its currently located in Barn 11. Thanks, Roger Kramer 

Our small crew this  winter and early spring  have been  progressing on a number of projects for the Mt Harvard.   I have been working in the woodshop for about 3 months manufacturing 15 mahogany wood window frames for the sleeper.  They have been made from various sized wood mahogany planks purchase from Owl Hardwoods of DesPlaines, Illinois.   A lot of cutting, trimming, fitting and gluing to get the correct size and shape for the window.  All the  frame dimensions  have been made from the specification drawings given to me by the folks in the Pullman Library.  The  window project is far from finished but its to the point where the frames call now be sanded and primed.   I would just like to thank Tim Peters for assisting me in this project   His valued experience in woodshop construction and machine operation have made my efforts  much easier.   In most prior posts I have always asked for donations for the various projects.  Well, I will now change this request!  The Mt Harvard  project, as well as the freight car department, needs a few new volunteers to assist various restoration duties.  Its not a lot of heavy work but it does entail replacing old  parts with new painted ones as well as installing various parts that were removed years ago when the sleeper was still at the Mid Continent RR Museum.   Want to help?  See me or Paul on any given Saturday,Sunday or Wednesday.   I'm also available  other week days if you cant make it either of those weekend days.     Thanks   Roger