Department Report July 2011
ByIRM Passenger Car Dept
Report of Work July 2011
GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS
We await repairs to the #1 track in Barn 3, identified previously. The report from the general Manager is that preparations are underway to accumulate the supplies needed, and perform the repairs beginning late July /early August.
The timing is excellent, as it will utilize the time when several pieces of equipment are in service and out of the barn during the Thomas event.
Summer inspections are on track.
All heavyweight and commuter cars are done. All streamliner cars are inspected, with repairs needed on one unit. This includes all Thomas cars.
Windows broken during revenue service from the previous reports have been repaired and invoiced to the Operating Dept for payment.
A single window in a DLW coach came out off track, and was repaired during July 10 weekend.
Parts of two days were spent providing support to the Nebraska Zephyr effort.
Two door windows were replaced, two door latch mechanisms were repaired for function, and three of the step traps were repaired for function. Further repairs were identified
In addition, the passenger dept is assisting in facilitating the reupholstery of several torn seats within the train.
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.
We still await the planned return visit to finish the preparation for transport.
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".Price quotes for over the road move of the trucks has been received, and the letter to UP for the move has been sent.
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. While the report has no new information, the efforts by Jack Biesterfield should be noted, as he continues to move the project along.
BLE 25
The car has been placed in Barn 3 as planned, and the conversion to 110vac completed. We have now reduced the electrical consumption by approx 275 KwH per week. at current prices, this amounts to about $100 per month in reduced electrical demand. In addition, the conversion allows us to INCREASE the quantity of display lighting during weekday operations, with relatively minimal cost.
IC 3345
This project is also ongoing. Masking of the second side of the car has begun, and the final window frame is nearing completion.
CZ Silver Pony
This project has slowed a bit, as we devote our time to the public areas and displays. upholstery work has been stopped to allow the upholstery shop to concentrate on the Nebraska Zephyr work with its short timeframe.
ACL Birmingham
Ongoing work has solved many ventilation issues in this car, and while the hot weather has strained the system, it appears that we have succeeded in creating a reasonable environment for our guests.
UP Pacific Peak
The hot weather of June and early July, together with the ventilation failures in other cars, has caused us to re examine the existing systems for the two remaining cars. Both Pacific Peak and Loch Sloy had been converted to HEP systems by Amtrak, and blowers are 480vac. I have identified a method to replace the blower motors with single phase motors to allow the ventilation of the cars in the same way as Silver Ridge. This will also allow for ventilation of the cars while in service, as the current technology will not overburden the generator power available.
YARD 5 DISPLAYS
The Chicago Railroad Fair display being developed by Ray Bellock has been making progress, and is nearing completion.
We have implemented a video presentation in the foyer area of the display, and have been presenting video displays in support of museum events, such as RPO weekend, Chicago Weekend and July 4 Trolley day.
We will be presenting a video of the UP turbines for Diesel weekend.
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.
