To open this holiday report, I first want to once again extend our thanks to all of the supporters of the Passenger Dept. Several of you have made donations to the department and we appreciate the help. 

Again and again, I am astonished and honored that so many folks seem to think our efforts are worthy of their support. We hope to continue as proper stewards of this part of the world.

We also need more support to keep these many projects moving forward. As we approach the end of the year, please think about your favorite passenger car.
There are several individual online donations possible:

http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7

If you wish to donate to a piece not listed, feel free to call the office and identify your wishes. Every piece of equipment has an account and, if a donation is targeted, we are legally required to use the money for the intended item.

Merry Christmas
Happy Chanukah
Happy New Year

 

GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS

Winter for the Passenger Dept usually means a time to get some messy work done, and this year is no different. Since we do not have heated facilities, we begin by setting up local heat in work spaces around the Barn, and planning indoor work for days the weather is not cooperative. 

The majority of the damages related to the Terror event have been repaired, and the final work will be time consuming only because we need to locate a source to reproduce the broken lamp globe. 

EQUIPMENT REPORTS

Inbound Acquisitions

Incoming acquisitions have been sidetracked for the short term, but NEWS is in as recently as this week!!!
PROGRESS!!
YAY!
The UP transport approvals are not yet forthcoming, and we continue to await the resolution via the Executive Director. 

Number One
The baggage car Silver Beaver has been put into work at Gateway in preparation for its trip to us. We now know that the wheels are approved, and the brakes are being inspected.  It is expected that the car may be ready to come in, ON ITS OWN WHEELS, sometime in mid to late January.

The car will be coming in as RCPX 801 (its original number) for those of you that follow that kind of stuff. The great news is that, if the car comes in on wheels, the only costs will be to make it roadworthy at Gateway. In addition, the track space for this car is already paid, as it will absorb the track space released by the sale of the Glen Alta.

Number Two
Next on the good news info, is that the wheels from Olympus have been offered to us for Silver Pony. This is, as many of you know, HUGE!!!!!

The down side is, since they are now a separate acquisition, they will need to be purchased. The cost at this point appears to be about $10-12,000. Whatever the cost, they will also incur about $1000 to get them here.

They are not perfect, as we have discussed in the past, but they are the correct design, and it will allow us to get the car on wheels and work on the mechanics as time goes on. Also, while not cheap, they are the only solution we have heard until now.

It also means that the Silver Pony fund will need help in a significant way, to absorb the costs. There have been a couple of wonderful donations recently toward the car, and we are extremely grateful.

Number Three
Lake City donor request is on the webstore, and photos have been posted in the department gallery. Milwaukee Rd Historical Society has been apprised of the acquisition, and plan to run a special notice in their upcoming publication. This move also awaits planning information from the Executive Director

Number Four
The new owner of Glen Alta arranged an inspection this past week, and the expectation is to have the car prepped on site and shipped out in early spring. 

Number Five
The newly acquired CRIP coach in Iowa awaits movement to IRM. Brake work has been done and the car is now mechanically ready to transport.

Number Six 
CBQ 1309 baggage car in Denver awaits transport completion by the Executive Director

 DLW coaches (3)

No changes to equipment.
567, is in service.
561 is in service as well, following significant repairs to brake structure and attachments
556, with the end of operating season, work has begun again, with interior cleaning a priority.
We have continued the process of grinding old paint surfaces in the car.  

The single window damaged during Terror has not yet been repaired, but the car is safe in Barn 9, so there is no risk.
      

Rock Island Coaches (6)

The repair of the roof of CRIP 2571 remains a project planned for winter and spring, but since much of the work will be needed outdoors on scaffold, the plan is to perform the work in later winter /early spring.

B&M 3288/1094

          Continued interior work.
Exterior painting has also continued following the end of public days.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/BM1094

 Dover Strait

Underbody finishing was completed . The interior is making progress.
Barricades are being developed for the bedrooms to allow public viewing of the car, and lounge carpeting has been identified.
We await information from the supplier to complete the process.
This car is slated next for conversion to 120vac lamps.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DoverStrait

IC 3345

No progress at this time

CZ Silver Pony

http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony
With the end of public season, we have been able to renew some work inside the car. 

Seats are in process, and the missing seat mount pedestals are also being fabricated.
Lenses for the dome lights have been acquired
We know the windows are a priority, but a major stalling point was locating the gasket material for the windows.
With the help of the Executive Director, we have located a possible source, and hope to make progress soon.
Currently, we have gotten one of the vestibule traps working. It needs a bit of adjusting yet, but the mechanism is all back together and working.

We also have begun to work on the blower system, to try and ventilate the car this spring.
We have the fans back in place, so now we have to fabricate a blower motor mount.
It appears similar to the one we built for Silver Ridge, so maybe we will get lucky.


We also are beginning to repair the ceiling lights, new ballasts and starters.

 

CNW RDC 9933

We have received the missing interior baggage rack lights, rewired them and are currently installing them.

Construction of baggage racks will follow in time for 2012 season.
We also hope to improve the electrical feed to this car, enhancing ventilation for next year. 

 

CBQ Silver Ridge

Some interior restoration remains planned.

 
UP Pacific Peak

http://www.irm.org/gallery/UP1432

Steady progress is being made in backdating interior wall surfaces.
Carpet removal in a double bedroom with exposure of original wall surfaces.
Mike hopes to complete this space over the winter.

We have located original color scheme information through the UP Historical Society, so if time and resources permit, we will be able to make the restoration accurate.

ACL Birmingham

The car has once again been winterized to provide a place for all volunteers to use during the winter. We plan to spend some time improving ventilation in the kitchen area this winter.

 

NP Loch Sloy

With completion of repairs, current plans to work on this car will be on hold until later in the off season. With limited manpower resources, we try to maintain realistic timetables to ensure the cars readiness for Spring season.

 

NP 230 Baggage Car

http://www.irm.org/gallery/NP230

The exterior painting of the car is complete.  

YARD 5 DISPLAYS

Special Exhibit cars

http://www.irm.org/gallery/Special-Exhibit-Cars

The exit vestibule has been cleaned of obstructions and the center sill and coupler pocket are exposed.

Welding repairs have begun as we build a new vestibule platform for the exit end of the cars.

 The interior of the first car has been cleared and repainting is ongoing.

 

The video security system has arrived, and installation will be done by Les and Wally after the interior is finished. 

A malfunction of the AC unit in the car late in the season has been assessed and Jerry Lynn is preparing an estimate to repair the system for next year. 

 We still await the completion of the second car power supply, with some of the repair and display ideas waiting for electricity.