Archive for February, 2011
Department update 2011-02-17
Posted by: | Commentsnot a lot, as the projects are simply moving along
I hope to update photo galleries in March and April as we begin preparations for the operating season.
No new news on Olympus or the heavyweight baggage car, but we still hope to have them all home by spring. We await the Executive directors in person review of the Denver car for prep.
Silver Pony is making a bit of progress. Cleanup and interior prep work continues,
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony?page=1
The one item that we accomplished this week was the installation of the lights in the corridor under the dome. With all the windows missing and boarded, it is a dark spot, so the lights help a bunch for now.
There are five more of the round lights to be replaced, but we have located them and they are on the way.
We also got some more cleanup, vacuuming much of the broken glass off the floor.
Not quite ready to walk in bare feet yet, but better than it was when it got here, for sure.
Night lights in the bathrooms are now working as well, so it is possible to SEE the grunge.
A couple more stair lights fixed.
i have added a few detail pictures to the cars web page, partly to maintain an archive of the restoration process, partly to let the more distant friends share in the “techie stuff behind the scenes”.
Seats for the lower sections are in the works, samples are at the upholstery shop, and we have located a soft blue fabric to use. On the advice of a couple of DRGW/CZ experts, pale blue was one of the colors used for the original CZ seats, so I think we are safe for this. We will need to BUILD four backs and ten seat bottoms to complete just the seat frames on hand. Its going to take a bit, as first we will have the metal seat parts fabricated, then the wood and upholstery will need to be created.
Even though we dont need to replace all of them right now, of course I want to settle on a good fabric to use throughout the process, which might take years.
With the seat cushions being repaired/created, we still need to find a source for the two missing frames for downstairs and about six frames for upstairs. We measured them, and discovered that while the frames are identical design, the dome seats are two inches narrower than the downstairs seats. It makes sense because the coach seats are intended to be a “home” for two days, while , in theory, the dome seats are for temporary occupancy.
Now, we ALL know better, as folks would spend the entire trip in the dome if they could.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, its important to remember that the work is just beginning on this car, and we have some rather expensive repairs in the near future just ot make the car presentable.
I estimate about $5K for windows , plus another 4-5 K for the missing seat cushions. This is NOT including replacing the missing frames or the broken dome glass OR the track space costs.
Therefore, I once again remind everyone that donations are needed, and will be used specifically for car of your choice.
Many thanks to everyone that has contributed thus far, and we hope to use your gifts wisely.
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
Department update 2011-02-10
Posted by: | CommentsSince last weeks update didnt cover muich of the Barn 3 stuff, I fugure I can add something here.
Ongoing plans for the winter include:
Completion of the DLW 556 coach, including a thorough cleaning and repainting of interior ceiling. Also, work continues on the platform of the car. Interior work is being managed and by Mark Hoffman, and includes some serious paint chipping and scraping before painting.
Repairs to DLW coach brakes that malfunctioned after Thomas, awaiting parts fabrication. This one is outside, so it is awaiting a thaw.
Working on the ATSF 2544 combine restoration, Shelly has most of the seat frames finished this winter, and finish installation of seats is coming. She really wants to have this car done this season.
Car corner repairs to the vestibule of CRIP 2571 coach. which were started and then stalled as Mike and crew got involved with truck work for the inbound cars.
Improvements and repairs to the second Exhibit car in preparation for additional exhibits in 2011. Jon hopes to begin soon, we await Max wiring finish to power up the car.
EQUIPMENT REPORTS
Inbound Acquisitions
Incoming acquisitions are making progress, but each has become complicated by factors.
The CBQ 1309 baggage car in Denver had some administrative problems and will require a visit by the Executive director to make the final push for transport.
We hope to have the car open for visits during the weekend of the Soiree. Currently the car is not easily accessible, so a specific plan is being developed. If the weather cooperates, we may have a thaw before then, and that might solve some of the problem.
Olympus wheels are in discussion , and while we hope to complete the acquisition soon, it is taking a while to get all the pieces in the “right place”
All three cars now have donor sites on the IRM store page, and might help raise funds to defray the costs.
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
charges associated with the dome loading are completely funded, with a bit left over towards the unloading here.
In the absence of any radical changes in Denver, the costs of loading and transport all pieces are funded now, with the future donations to cover track charges.
Rock Island Coaches (4)
As noted earlier, four revenue Rock Island coaches are now in service. The fifth remains awaiting restoration
One car will require a window to be re-glazed following the Terror event, but should not delay use of the car next season.
CBQ 1923 RPO
This car had developed brake issues late last season, and to eliminate problems for the long term, Mike has begun to completely rework the air brake piping and valving. The parts are on hand and he hopes to finish the project this weekend. The valve will be going out to Pittsburg Air Brake for inspection and /or repair.
GN John McLoughlin
Roger and Mark have kept going on this long term project over the season, and while progress is not always obvious, it is being made. some paint removal and prep is done, the bathrooms are moving forward.
NYC Dover Strait
Since Bob has not been around much through the deep winter, progress is slowed a bit, but not stopped. He has gotten the ceiling vent covers restored and installed, and now he is mounting hardware and trim. We hope to create a path for visitors this year to have a second set of cars for our guests. We have an idea for protecting the bedroom interiors from thieves and vandals, and it weill take a bit of time in milder weather to try the experiment.
NP 230 Baggage
The Wednesday special Projects group has begun cosmetic restoration of this car to original NP Loewy Green design, however this project is on hold until spring. The south side of the car was primed before the winter hit, so we can look at it again soon.
YARD 5 DISPLAYS
Electrical service to the second exhibit car has begun.
While this work is needed for the enhancement of the special exhibit cars, the weather and the need to complete the Barn 4 shop addition have both delayed the work a bit.
We developed a preliminary diagram for Yard 5 to add displays there as well, but have not yet heard back from folks about their ideas. The plan would maintain Yard 5 as an active display area, with new stuff to see, and still allow good working space for the Wednesday Special Projects Group. It would also add the Havelock Baggage Car to the string of cosmetic restorations along Central, which would enhance the view for pedestrians and trolley bus riders. All of this would still provide for the east end of the yard to remain as diesel storage, which is what the diesel dept has stated is necessary for their purposes.
update 2011-02-07
Posted by: | Commentslast week was rough with all the snow. Not a lot of progress to report.
Silver Ridge exhaust blower issue is resolved. Two days of trying to get the old mount to work failed to solve the problem, so we installed new blowers and ducting. We will of course save all of the old parts in the event we can reinstall later, but we also realized that part of the problem seems to be the alterations performed by Amtrak on the framing itself. Parts were welded together, and mount holes washed out. The motor i removed was from 1977, so amtrak was definitely in there.
The upside to the issue is that the blower is once again functioning as intended, not pretty but working, AND it will once again be quiet in that corner of the car.
The blower repair also made me review the “bandaid” wiring i had been doing in the car. It was always safe and oversized, but the circuit repairs over the past four or five years had become messy. So, this was my opportunity to resolve that issue before it got any further.
I rewired all circuits through a newly installed breaker panel in the cabinet, providing separate protection for the high and low voltage supply, plus replaced the outlet cords with properly installed outlet boxes. Again, nothing flashy, just a cleaner, long term solution to the function of the car.
Seats damaged during the Terror event should be repaired in plenty of time for public season. The roomette doors damaged are already apart, and if Nick brings home the parts we expect, all should be fine for spring.
With the snow piling up, the access to Silver Pony will be seriously reduced for the next week or so. In the meantime, we have located several of the round ceiling lights that are missing, and hope to have them on hand soon so we can cleanup that part of the cars interior.
The blowers in thai car are going to be a challenge, as they were an earlier type, belt drive blowers. The motor is out, lying on the floor and it is definitely from an earlier time. The thing is huge and weights a ton. The fan housings are off their mounts and lying in the ceiling. This is the reason the panels were down when the car got here. Unfortunately, whoever removed the motor wasnt too fancy about the rest, so its kind of sloppy up there, but not impossible.
We have begun to look for seat frames to deal with the missing ones, three downstairs and 5-6 upstairs. Cushions can be made, and our upholstery shop is looking for comparable fabric.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony/abq
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony/abw
We are also looking for dutch doors out in the parts world. They differ from the other streamliner doors. we have learned there are two main designs. The ones for this car are Truss type, which look to me like a transition from the 40s style Pullman. Latch mechanisms are in the door itself, and hinges are individual not piano style. Once again, we are exploring the realities of chronology in the design. This car is 1948 built, and the earlier technology is evident.
I hope to have a path planned for the weekend of the Soiree Feb 26. Looking at the current position, i am thinking to use the DLW coach as a passage, which will make the trek through the snow 70 feet shorter, and closer to the road. This should also give me a chance to do some more work in the Yard 5 cars.
This weekend is a board meeting, so we wont be around until afternoon Saturday for folks to come by, and not at all on sunday. Mike is planning to be out Sunday for folks that want to go see the heavy lifting going on in Barn 3, as prep work on the trucks is taking up a lot of Mikes time this winter.