Milwaukee Road 649

We have completed, in 2020, the installation of all the window frames in the 649. 20 frames have been painted and installed with new window gaskets and new glass window panes. Our Lead restorationist on the project, Steve Dobberfuhl, along with Howard Geier, have done a marvelous job getting this coach back into operational shape. Two items yet to be resolved before it is released for operation is the repair of the trucks and the air conditioning system. That will be the job for 2021.

Howard painting the exterior window frames.

Steve is working in our woodshop manufacturing new white oak trim for the interior framing of each window.

Finished wood trim. Please note the many different angles that had to be handmade and custom fitted.

Here Steve is preparing the exterior surface by cleaning the old residue off each window opening.

South side of the coach now has all frames installed.

Steve is explaining to John Knoll some of the repairs.

Howard smiles after preparing the roof for primer.

Repainting the roof has already begun.

Please consider stopping by and viewing all our progress in the museum's Freight car and Coach barn 10 shop.  Thanks, Roger.

The Milwaukee Road coach project is slow but is receiving some attention recently. We finally measured and cut new steel panels to replace the ones that did not meet our standards for restoration. Our welder installed the new panels this January and February of this year.

8 ft section of steel welded into place.

Our welder, Jarred, beginning to weld.

In January of this year the sparks are flying as the welder installs the second panel. 

This is the results of the welders efforts.

Howard came out to begin the future prepping of the just welded two panels. On a somewhat warm March day he began applying bondo to the panels and sanding them for April priming.

Howard is applying bondo to the newly installed area.

Howard working the second day he was out applying more bondo then sanding the imperfections.

On a rare warm spring day Steve was out applying Spar urethane varnish to the new oak trim made especially for the inside window trim. Another job that was completed last fall was the repair and installation of new florescent lighting tubes in the fixtures. We now have all the lights operating in the 649. Its quite an impressive site.

Here Steve is working on the interior trim.

Before Howard and Steve can finish painting the coach we need to resolve the issue of replacing the old window glass. We need ten sets of glass plus new gasket material to replace the old cracked ones. At a estimated price of $300 ea they are some what expensive. Please consider a donation to cover the cost of at least one set. That would surely help us with placing this coach in service at your museum.       Thanks  Roger