Archive for CZ Silver Pony
Department update 2012-05-02
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GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS
As we enter the 2012 operating season, the general department work is focused on testing of operating equipment.
As of this report, the three primary cars are all ready for service, and some of the pieces needed for the larger events in May and June are also already completed
Displays in Barn 3 are set up for public visits, and the Yard 5 displays are being completed in preparation for opening on Mothers Day.
As always, the simple cleaning and preparation takes 3-4 weeks, so restoration work stops while we prepare.
Preparations of Barn 3 displays includes plans for the location of the new MILW car when it arrives.
Inbound Acquisitions
Incoming acquisitions have been making progress, slowly but some. Individual information is listed under the specific car report
The UP approvals are verbally complete, but we await word from the Executive Director on the arrival of the supporting documents.
The new owner of Glen Alta appears to be planning to put it on the flat car currently occupied by Silver Pony, which may in fact help us to move the entire process along
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.
The heavyweight baggage car in Denver will still require a visit from the Executive Director prior to its movement, and the latest estimate for that activity is early summer.
A remote member has indicated his willingness to assist the loading there, so it may help make progress.
EQUIPMENT REPORTS
DLW coaches (3)
561 and 567 are in service. 2012 air test is done
One window damaged during Terror 2011 will be repaired before service.
556 continues to have interior spaces worked to prepare for repainting. This continues to be planned as completed this season.
Rock Island Coaches (6)
Three in service
One remains dormant
One remains in Iowa, awaiting transport. Once it arrives, it will require significant work before it is usable in revenue service
The repair of the roof of CRIP 2571 remains a project planned for later in the season, since much of the work will be needed outdoors on scaffold.
MILW Lake City
Lake City awaits dry ground , as all transport parties are ready when the location will be able to support the heavy moving equipment.
This is one of the projects that will happen quickly once it gets moving
http://www.irm.org/gallery/MILW-Lake-City
B&M 3288/1094
Continued interior work. Kitchen deconstruction has begun, as MOW spaces have been cleared out.
Most recently, Mike and Ray removed the water tanks from the west end of the car, so Jack can begin to rebuild the bathrooms.
I still hope to find the time to fix the ceiling lights in the car for him, as he is making great progress
Dover Strait
The interior is making progress. We still are seeking information from the supplier to complete the carpeting process.
Bob is installing shades and other interior hardware, in anticipation of opening the car for visitors this year
This car is next on the plan to convert to 110vac lighting, as part of the reduction of electrical demand in displays, and further reduction of maintenance costs.
IC 3345
Good news, the last piece of aluminum window frame is complete.
A little JB Weld to fill in seams and then Roger can install the last window.
YAY!
Andy has done a great job rebuilding the exterior and we applaud the effort
This car is also planned to be moved to Barn 11 as part of the alignment to place Lake City on display soon after arrival.
CZ Silver Beaver
The baggage car Silver Beaver has been put into work at Gateway in preparation for its trip to us.
Most recent is the need for a current COTS brake valve, and we have arranged for Pittburg Air to assist with this process.
We have expressed or strong interest in getting the car done and home, and we hope to keep the process moving.
Once the brake valve returns to the shop, it should be nearly ready to go.
CZ Silver Pony
Once again this project is stalled a bit as we await the wheels, however….
Wheels have been located, and they supposedly are expected in the next two weeks!!!
We will keep folks updated when actual work begins
Mike plans to rebuild the brake calipers before the trucks go under the car, and we hope the timing allows that.
Its a lot easier when you can walk up to the job instead of crawling under the car to get there.
Downstairs seats are expected to be fabricated during late May and early June.
Nick has managed to find a guy that seems to have dome seats and is going to bring them to the museum in the summer.
This is a huge load off my list, as we were going to have to fabricate 24 seats from scratch otherwise at a 5-700 cost per seat.
Window gasket material is being sought. contact has been made with a supplier in California
CNW RDC 9933
The last of the baggage rack lights have been repaired and installed.
The two existing fixtures that had malfunctioned last season have also been repaired.
CBQ Silver Ridge
Some of the interior light repairs have been accomplished, as we prepare for public season.
UP Pacific Peak
We plan to alter the interior display configuration this season, as variety, and also as a slightly better traffic pattern within the streamliner set.
Mikes work in one of the bedrooms to remove the Amtrak walls was a long process, and he has stopped for now as we begin operating season, but, as always there will be plenty to do when he gets back.
I will try to get some pictures out to show the work, but let it be said, the effort is appreciated.
ACL Birmingham
During the last week prior to public opening, we experienced an act of vandalism within the car.
One of the windows was struck twice , either a hard punch or a kick, and the window was broken.
The window has been repaired at a cost of about $280 which will be absorbed by the car funds.
NP Loch Sloy
No change this month
NP 230 Baggage Car
We begin to plan for the move of the car when the new baggage car arrives, and location ideas have been plotted and measured.
We have included the Wednesday Special Projects folks in the conversation, as their work area is in need of some small adjustment, and our idea has taken it into account,
We also have accounted for the display of the bilevels in the space originally allocated for the purpose.
YARD 5 DISPLAYS
Special Exhibit cars
Displays for the new season are making progress.
We managed to install the long awaited security cameras in the car, to protect the artifacts a bit.
Jon and Marc have developed some new presentations, and some small spaces remain for temporary exhibits.
The major new display is locomotive builders plates, stored for a while and now presented for all to enjoy.
A new secondary display includes two train boards, one from Union Station and one from Metra.
We have presented these as part of the story of Chicago station history.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/Special-Exhibit-Cars
Exterior work on the second car has been stopped while revenue cars are inspected, but we hope to return to the work later in the season.
A malfunction of the AC unit in the car late in the season was assessed and Jerry Lynn has completed the repairs needed to keep the cars comfortable this summer.
Department Update 2011-12-22
Posted by: | CommentsTo 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
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.
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 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.
Update 2011-10-09
Posted by: | CommentsFor the past week or so the computer has been arguing with me, and twice I began writing an update and twice somehow I managed to delete them.
Soooo, we will try again.
First I want to take a moment to thank all our friends , who have been so loyal in their support.
Many many folks have made donations to their favorite passenger car project over the past couple of months
Included in this list are Henry Auchstetter, Richard Ralston, Jeff Fryman, Kevin Brown, George Forslin, John Bender, David Brown, David Cook, and John Wilke
In addition, all of our visitors and friends that were able to make donations in the displays during the season.
Your faith in us is much appreciated, and we hope to put your contributions to worthy use.
Now on to the progress reports.
The Barn 3 track project is making good progress. All the rail is in, and the ballast has been delivered.
The track guys think they will be able to finish over the next two weeks or so, which would have it done before November, which is great!
They deserve our thanks as they keep on "track" to get it finished.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/Track-31-repair?page=1
While the cars remain out of the barn, Gene and Bob have gotten the underside of Dover Strait finished, so we can finally say the exterior painting is DONE!
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album71
Over in Yard 5 a couple of things are moving along
First, Mike Ray and Marc have really moved along on the Exhibit cars. All the rusted lower edge has been removed and the inner structure has been rustoleumed
Next they will begin to replace with new metal and seal things up.
In addition, Shelly has begun to strip the window frames to solve what appears to be a water leak issue around the frames.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/Exhibit-Cars-repairs-2011
Elsewhere in Yard 5, the Wednesday Special Project group just keeps plugging along.
The CGW combine is getting patched plugged and primed
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CGW4061
next to it The NP baggage car is really looking great, and they hope to have it done this year
http://www.irm.org/gallery/NP230
The streamliner sleeper set is of course out for the Terror event, so not a lot of active work going on right now, but I realized I hadn't taken any interior pictures of the cars for a while, so I have added some now.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/PPeak-2011
http://www.irm.org/gallery/NP325
just some pics for our distant friends that dont get out to see the cars in person much.
Mike McCraren has expressed an interest in Pacific Peak this winter, so perhaps with a little luck we will make progress in the car after November 1.
I know I have been thinking about tackling the existing heater system, and maybe i will be able to track down the circuitry and crank them up this year, and eliminate the use of external heaters quitre as much. It would be nice to make the car more and more self sufficient.
Out on the steam leads, patiently awaiting her wheels, Silver Pony makes more progress
As we have mentioned earlier, we found the last two seat frames needed for the downstairs areas, and we have now gotten them apart and off to the upholstery shop for repair.
The other thing we have moved on is the pedestal frames, as we will need several of them as well.
I still hope to have all the downstairs seats done by the time we get the car on wheels and in line with the others.
As some of you know, the car came in with some mechanical items half apart. The ventilation blowers are one example.
During its life as a parts car, the main blower motor was stripped out, but the squirrel cages were left dangling from the ceiling, to the point that we couldnt even close the ceiling panels in the foyer when we began.
Well that little problem is now solved. Last week we got them reinstalled and attached in their original spots.
At least now they seem to also be free and functional. Next item will be to pla the replacement of the motor, which is missing.
The system appears to be very similar in design to the one in Silver ridge, so armed with that knowledge, we may just be able to make it right soon.
The blower for the dome is still in place and still works, so I know the circuitry is intact
The ceiling lights will have to wait until i can plug the car into a power supply not connected to a GFCI plug. .
I had a similar issue with Silver Ridge at first, as the car is built with a body ground that trips the breaker when energized.
I can avoid the problem using the 32v circuits of the DC rectifier.
My immediate concern with the car is the fact that I need to keep it heated to prevent freezing in the windows.
Because of the delay in setting the car down, I havent been able to fix the windows yet.
Soon I hope, but since they must be installed from the outsoide, i dont hold much hope to get them done for winter.
This car has not been exposed to rain much in its recent life, and right now I am accumulating water between panes of glass.
If I let them freeze, they will of course crack and make an awful mess.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony
So there you have it for now folks
Of course, continued donations will be most appreciated as we approach the work season.
Specifically
Dover Strait is RDOVER
The Wednesday Projects team has an account at R6166 (the number of their shop car)
The NP Baggage car is R230
The Silver Pony is R1108DRGW
The streamliner sleeper set is collectively RSILVR
Any and all support will help move things along.
Dept update 2011-08-25
Posted by: | Comments
A little time, and a little energy. A good time to write a few notes for our distant friends.
First, a bit of congratulations to the Wednesday special Projects Group.
They have been quietly making some really great progress on the restoration of several cars over the past two years, and they need to be applauded and thanked.
To begin, the CBQ Havelock Baggage car received for the Pullman Library is finished, and is on display as the third head end car of the Central Av display line.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album205?page=1
While they were finishing that piece, a few of the guys began exterior work on the NP baggage car being used as a shop for the Passenger Dept.
The effort has really dressed up the car, painted in NP MOW brown until now
http://www.irm.org/gallery/NP230?page=1
Third..(yes third project in one year!)
The guys have agreed to make cosmetic repairs to the CGW combine that has been begging for attention for a while.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CGW4061
Soooo, for the fans of specific pieces, they can always use donations
CBQ Havelock fans can donate to fund R993
NP fans can donate to fund R230
and CGW/CNW fans can donate as well I think R4061, although as i write this i cannot verify that. Hope to answer my own question this weekend.
As for the rest of the story….
Thomas is happening…
While that is going on, the track guys have managed to pull all the track from the bad siding in Barn 3 and we await B&G to clear and grade the space, so new track can be placed. The team has been building panel tracks so the installation should be a relatively straightforward process, once it starts.
Again, I apologize for a lack of photos right now, the time and energy have been on short supply for a while,
I hope to get some pix in the website gallery soon.
With the construction, Dover Strait is outside for a while, and Gene and Bob are making good use of the time. The underside painting is going forward, and we still hope to have it done this year.
In Yard 5, it seems that i have spent a lot of time this summer repairing, adjustung and tweaking the ventilation in the streamliner set.
The latest, is that i have continued to fiddle with the pacific peak blower. i have now adjusted the power feed for the blowers to make it internal, so i can use the system all the time, and perhaps even when the car is in motion.
Birminghams' primary AC system has been dripping condensation recently, and i think I may have found an answer.
I will know this weekend, with a long two day run for the system.
Silver Pony has not had a lot of attention lately, i know, buy with a but of luck, we may be approaching a change in that problem.
Seat plans are moving forward. Upholstery is in hand and we await frame fabrication.
I have located and purchased the lenses i need for the dome light fixtures, and I am actively seeking lenses for the downstairs lights.
I also have leads on a couple of other items for the car, but i dont want to chat about them until they are complete.
Rumors are sometimes negative.
I reported in the dept report that we had seats in stock, and they are in the car.
My HUGE hope is to get the car on wheels soon so i can get it in place for the winter.
After Thomas leaves, perhaps we can all get the "powers that be" to focus on the project of getting the three cars home yet this year.
Last but far from least
I want to thank all of our donors, large and small , who stick with us and support us on a regular basis.
Specifically, i want to thank Kevin Brown again and Al Reinschmidt for his unexpected gift.
Not to mention our casual visitors that make many small donations in the cars themselves.
i cannot tell you how much it means to us to keep us going.
Online donations can go via the web store in some ways
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
If someone wishes to make a specific donation to any other piece of equipment, whether one of the Wednesday projects or any other passenger car, thay can call the office at 1-800 BIG RAIL and they can take your credit card info on the phone.
Come out for Labor Day!
Enjoy the September event, Leviathan is running and the NZ set will be out
Stop in the Barn and see the construction, and then come over to Yard 5 and say Hi.
Pony Progress 2011-03-16
Posted by: | CommentsWith apologies to John Bunyan…..
slow but steady progress is being made on Silver Pony.
After the frustrations, and finally some information from CSRM, we discovered the physics behind the windows in the car.
All are installed from the outside, directly different from all the other streamliner cars we have been working on.
Soooo, last weekend we spent one day experimenting with techniques. Tried and tried to salvage the gasket material, finally realized it was so stiff and dry-rotted, that it was never going to come apart intact.
OK then, slice away!
first window out on the weekend, 21 to go!
took gasket to our glass shop, and good news. The glass used , laminated tinted is still in use and available, AND the gasket as well.!!!!
YAAY.
Today Wednesday, with 60 degrees and sun, and armed with an understanding of the design, we managed to get three more windows out , including the first big coach window, which had three inches of water in it.
Another small item we accomplished today was to break open the traps so we might be able to make the car a little more accessible for visits soon, because we might be able to have a staircase alongisde. The car is open most Wednesdays and weekends for volunteers, but will not be open for public until she is on her wheels and safe in a display area.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CZ-Silver-Pony?page=4
We are not going to have much time for more progress for the next couple of weeks, because we have to prep and set up Barn 3 then Yard 5 for opening in April and May. any interested folks around the museum are welcome to stop in and see the car, i hope to have it open for visits on April 16 for folks that come to the Annual Meeting.