Archive for June, 2011
Dept update 2011-06-29
Posted by: | CommentsI know I know
I have been less than chatty for a couple of weeks. The weather and the projects have taken their toll.
So for now heres a bit.
OK more than a bit. As I get this written, I remember more and more that i havent mentioned, so the report is lengthy.
I dont want to leave folks out. Several efforts are going on, and they all deserve recognition.
Of course, i have the most details about the work I am involved with, but i am far from alone within the department.
Perhaps others will someday be willing to provide info and photos so i can include them here.
On the Yard 5 /streamliner front…….
The AC units in Birmingham came out and i got new units to replace them.
Last week, one of the new units quit, so I got the pleasure of pulling the entire set apart again, but i knew I needed to get it done before the 4th, as it promises to be stinky hot this weekend, and without some ventilation, the silver steel greenhouses would be uninhabitable.
so down they came again.
The upside is that the failed unit was simply a structural issue, some of the units insulation had come loose and jammed the fan. Repair was easy, of course, after taking it apart.
So at least they both work and are back in place for this weekend.
In the middle of all this, the primary blower motor in Silver Ridge finally gave up the ghost, as the brushes wore down to the nubs.
Not bad for 50 years though, huh?
This motor, a low voltage DC motor with old technology is huge, and while the mechanics of the removal were easy, lowering 110 pounds of metal from overhead is always a bit of a challenge.
and so after arranging a rope pull and enlisting my sons help down it came, quite easily i must admit
I am continually amazed at how cooperative the car is. She really wants to be alive. Parts come apart just like they are supposed to, bolts come loose, hinges line up…you get the idea.
Anyone with mechanical experience understands. If a machine doesnt want to cooperate, it can make your life miserable. Frozen, rusted, bent.
Not Silver Ridge. A true pleasure to work on.
As part of my ongoing restoration, I have been converting the electrical system to 120/240vac all along. This item is no different.
The motor to replace ?
same HP rating, same speed , 240vac 4amp draw, instead of 25 amp draw, and only about 1/4 the weight.
A simple alignment, new mount holes on the mount plate for the car, and it dropped right in. Gotta love improvements in technology.
Some people make a bg deal about "authentic " restoration.
The simple truth is that the railroads were always looking for improvements, and would have changed the car over in a heartbeat if equipped with todays machinery.
Just look at Amtraks HEP program. Every Heritage passenger car that they had got HEP'd . Higher voltage AC makes motors run better, last longer and take less electricity, which also means less strain on the car electrical system.
By putting the new motor in, i not only will make the system more efficient, but it will also make it possible to run the blowers while operating on generator power in motion.
I agree , if the restoration is visible then a credible period device is the first choice, but this is not visible and will only help make our guests more comfortable.
But enough about my part of the world. Lets check in Barn 3 a bit too.
First, for those not in the neighborhood, we have a small structural issue in Barn 3……
OK NOT A SMALL ISSUE…rather a LARGE ISSUE
after several years of reporting the track conditions inside the Barn, and watching ties float out when we flood (for real!) the 31 track has finally begun to roll on itself.
It is, after all, some of the oldest track on the property, and it is spiked to mud, not ties, so I guess its not too unexpected.
Ther current plan is to have the track dept make panels and prep the site, pull everything out before Thomas and re-lay the entire track.
Of course, there are several sidebar issues involved.
Cost , time, and on and on.
For the moment, the 31 track is frozen. If we pull out of there, we will not be allowed to put anything in until the track is repaired.
Two of the four cars have weak leaky roofs, so we also need to plan for indoor storage on them during the work.
Elsewhere,
All the while, Bob Hunter moves along with finish work inside Dover Strait. For now, the project is window shade fabrication.
Mark Hoffman is making progress on the exterior of the John Mcloughlin, and we hope he will get back to the ceiling of the DLW coach soon.
Mike Prendergast and Roger Kramer have been masking the IC cafe car 3345, to prep for paint. Andy has one more window frame to finish welding and joining then the paint can fly
Mike, Ray and Marc have been making serious progress on this years brake inspections. They have already finished all the heavyweight coaches, and four of the five streamliner cars.
A bit of work on Birmingham's emergency valve is needed, but everything welse is done. Great work!
Since June 15, we have re-arranged the barn a bit.
The RPO and BLE 25 combine are now mated on the south (34) track, so they can be pulled out for service as a pair, like we do with DMIR 84 and IC 2804.
This layout sets the cars up in better display positions, and also makes it easier to pull cars for a "pretty" heavyweight train on special days. Twio pair out, add DLW coaches and Inglehome from Barn 9 and the train is complete. No more juggling or wyeing the pieces for the correct order.
a secondary advantage is that i was able to convert BLE 25 to 110vac power, and light it up for display. Fully lit, it draws a bit over 1 amp total
http://www.irm.org/gallery/BLE25
closer and closer is the possibility of running a heavyweight train at night .
Already up to six cars, RPO, combine BLE 25, coach IC 2804, coach DMIR 84, two coaches DLW.
Maybe, maybe.
Finally, in this report, i got some interior shots of the glen Alta for the photo fans.
Glen Alta is the sister car of the Glen Springs, and was heavily modified for use by a circus.
having never taken any interior shots, I took the opportunity to get a few.
The car was boarded, and dark inside, so i was never inspired to photograph it.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/GlenAlta
as a finale, once again remember that all of this work could use your support.
Two baggage cars still need to get home form their respective places.
Silver Pony, not in the news this month, but will still need lots of support and donations to move the car towards display and/or service.
The Yard 5 streamliners are under a fund called RSILVR, for folks interested in that
Galt House is a work in progress, and while i do not have intimate details, I know Gerry Boguse has been out a couple of times, and he could use donations as well.
ALL cars have separate funds, and if you have a favorite, you can do a phone donation to the office, OR
online donations can be made to some of the cars at
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
Stay cool this weekend, watch the show on webcams if you cant make it for the parade.
Department report 2011-06-11
Posted by: | Commentsfrom the report delivered to the Board this month.
Passenger car inspections have continued pretty much on schedule, with the last of the Rock Island commuter cars being planned for inspection during the weekend of June 10-12
The department support for the Memorial Day event went as planned, seven cars were used for the weekend. The RPO plan is on track for a five car train.
Two windows in the DMIR coach were broken during the Memorial Day weekend in unrelated incidents, and repairs are scheduled for completion this week.
We have discussed a plan to increase display equipment inside Barn 3, as well as creating a more effective alignment to allow for easier switching during special event dates.
The intent is to create two pairs of cars, which can be used as the front four cars of a high profile heavyweight train with a minimum of switching moves.
In addition, the plan includes the converting of another car to 110vac power.
This single change will not only further reduce our dependence on expensive low voltage lamps, but will also create a potential for night operations of a heavyweight train.
This has not been done at IRM for a significant period of time
Currently we have 10 out of 16 pieces lit for display, with three cars open for walkthrough.
Our immediate plan will increase the number to 12 cars lit for display, with the ongoing plan to add a second 4 car walkthrough when time allows.
EQUIPMENT REPORTS
Inbound Acquisitions
Incoming acquisitions are making progress, but each has become complicated by factors.
The CBQ 1309 baggage car in Denver has been visited by the Executive Director, and many of the transport questions have been answered. Nick has indicated he is planning a return visit to progress sometime in June.
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”. Nick is getting prices to move the trucks by road instead of rail, and Gateway has indicated they will load the car as soon as we send them a flat car.
The most efficient and cost effective plan is still to have all three cars on property, and use cranes one time to put all pieces on wheels.
DLW coaches (3)
567, is in service.
561 is in service as well, following significant repairs to brake structure and attachments
556 continues to have its interior cleaned and finishing work performed on the rebuilt vestibule.
Rock Island Coaches (5)
As noted earlier, four revenue Rock Island coaches are now in service. The fifth remains awaiting restoration
B&M 3288/1094
Continued interior work. The kitchen area is beginning to be restored, with a model on display indicating the original layout for our guests to envision. Exterior painting has halted during public season, and kitchen renovation has resumed.
DMIR 84
Flooring repair beneath seats is completed.
Windows are reinstalled following repair.
Unit is now in service, assigned as a mated pair with IC 2804.
CZ Silver Pony
We await some parts from the metal shop to allow the fabrication of the missing seats. The upholstery shop has the materials, and will begin work as soon as the framing pieces are completed.
ACL Birmingham
The primary AC units in this car have worn out, and were replaced during the week of June 6. While it was not expected, the 5 year time frame since their installation was probably equivalent to a 10 year service life under “normal” use; so it would appear that the failure was simply normal wear.
YARD 5 DISPLAYS
The streamliner sleeper set has opened for the season,
Special Exhibit car has reopened for the season.
The Memorial Day team once again made use for a significant artifact display, which was well received
The Chicago Railroad Fair display being developed by Ray Bellock has been making progress, and it appears that he will utilize and entire side of the display area.
We have implemented a video presentation in the foyer area of the display, and are currently displaying a video of the UP turbines for our guests.
Jons long term plans continue to take shape as he prepares for the anniversary exhibit
While we still await the completion of the second car power supply, we continue our plans to add the second car to become part of the show as soon as possible
small notes 2011-06-06
Posted by: | Commentsno I have not disappeared.
The past two weeks of Memorial Day and the heat have taken their toll.
I have been busy and ran out of energy after both weekends.
At least for now, everyone remember to come out this weekend and help us celebrate RPO weekend, with retired postal clerks, and a chance to watch/photograph a truly unique event.
I have heard that there are a few other locations that operate their restored RPO in train service around the country, but none have a regularly scheduled event as we do.
In addition, while i managed to track down another circuit in Pacific Peak, and install a new exhaust blower in the system, the two air conditioners in Birmingham seem to have worn out.
I reviewed the symptoms with a couple of AC folks , and it looks like after 5-6 years of abuse, they have hit their limit.
One repeatedly blows its circuit breaker, which usually means that the compressor is failing, and the second cycles itself far too quickly and pumps hot air.
So , it appears that i will need to replace both units.
The custom construction i needed to do in the ceiling means it really doesnt pay to replace one, as we will need to remove all the ducting up there to pull the units anyway, and so putting two new units is the only practical solution
Of course the downside, is that the cost will be about $900 for the two pieces.
The upsaide it that once again, I should be able to provide a reasonable comfort level for our visitors and friends.
I will try to remember to take some pictures of the process, but I have to tell you, the heat really has the wind out of my sails right now.
In addition, the board meeting is this week, so i will post the department update after Mike reviews it.
chat soon, feel free to stop by and sympathize, and of course donation to help defray the cost would be most appreciated.
RSILVR is the fund if you stop by the museum;
if online the a donation to Silver Pony will reduce the dept burden a bit and free up funds for these repairs
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
thanks to everyone that supports our efforts and I will try to write a more thorugh update later in the week.