Archive for Dover Strait
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 October 2008
Posted by: | Commentsyes I know its been far too long and info doesnt get shared unless its written. So here we go
We face the issue of preparation and operation from early August until November, Vintage transport, then Thomas, then Showcase, then Halloween, so we face a period of time when we sometimes get a bit behind. Its hard sometimes because we have to concentrate our efforts on operations and active displays for a big chunk of time, and so much of the restoration work grinds to a halt for three months of the year. Lets try to catch up a bit
On the heavyweight front,
i reported last month that the Dover has now been painted and lettered on both sides, Bob has made great progress on both vestibules, and progress is being made inside on the corridor. There remains a bit of a problem involving the electrical feed for the car, and i hope to get it resolved completely this off season. Mike and Ray also are working on the hand brake, non functional for ?? maybe years. It might be able to go for a ride next season. even as an exterior show it will be great to show it off. Bob Hunter deserves all the kudos for moving forward all the time.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DoverStrait
Roger has been plugging along on the bathrooms of the John McGlothan as well, and I dont want to forget to give credit where its due, even though i am sorry i dont have any new photos to include just yet. Perhaps one of the projects this off season will be a new set of pics for the photo gallery.
The Boston and Maine cafe keeps going as well. Jack made it into this months Rail and Wire.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/BM3288
With the season slowing down after this weekend, Mike hopes to get the DLW coach vestibule repairs completed this winter, as well as a couple of coach ceilings that need repairs. There a some new pics of the work in the car folder, for the structural fans.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DLW556
A slightly different item involves road trips to Monee Il, where there are several privately held pieces being scrapped. Steam team has begun to acquire two unique locos from there, and while there are a coupkle of heavyweitght passenger cars on the property, the reality is that we do not have the funds to transport them , store them, or restore them. The decision then was made to make trips and remove parts we can use. We did acquire a set of seats for the ATSF 2544 to allow us to install authentic seating in the coach area, and remove the streamliner seats that are there.
After Halloween, the streamliner sleepers will come home and, while it will take a couple of weeks to winterize them, we have made some more progress as well.
Two of the three power poles in Yard 5 are in place and operating, so we are almost completely connected. Max had a bit of delay with some pressing personal issues, but he has been out a bit more lately, and we hope to be ready when the cars come back next week. This will give us solid electrical connections for all cars, plus decent power supply for the baggage/shop car at the end, which will make the winter much more functional. I cant wait to have them in, winterized and lit for the holidays this year.
RDC 9934 now has all the interior lights working, and I want to get the classification lights working soon, but of course getting the set “buttoned up” and settled in for the winter takes precedence.
The one passenger window that was leaking has been repaired, as we discovered that it was installed upside down, with only 3 screws holding it in instead of the designed 26. New gasket material around the exterior and a solid mount and we think we have most if not all of the water leaks in RDC solved for now.
The one cab window that is missing has been located, (at least we think so ) in the Diesel locomotive storage, and as soon as someone gets a chance they will pull it out for us and we can get that issue resolved too.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW9934
Plans include progress in all three sleepers, plus some more kitchen work in Birmingham. We will have to see just how much we can get accomplished in the 4-5 months of the off season. Spring comes quick, and we feel responsible to have the display open by May, so as always, help would be neat if anyone is interested, and donations are welcome all season.
The cost of the electrical system in Yard 5 has seriously depleted our restoration funds, and there are a few pieces of interior that i would love to restore in Silver Ridge, but do not have the funding for.
We hope to get back in the habit of regular updates, and hope to see many visitors by spring.
Hope everyone has a fun autumn and a happy winter season, see you soon!
Update Sep 5 2008
Posted by: | Commentsi know its been a while, but we have been really busy with the late summer projects
First of all, to brag on Dover Strait, both sides are now lettered, and the second diaphragm is coming along
We hope to have it outside in the sunshine for everyone to see for Showcase Weekend
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DoverStrait
for those that have not noticed, the photos are now in folders for each year of work, to help keep from digging through a multipage listing
Thomas trains worked out well, no major malfunctions
The second power pole is running, and so we are now on external power with NO generators running! Max made an extra effort and got stuff installed almost as fast as the parts were delivered. On behalf of the tranquility in Yards 4 and 5….. THANK YOU!!!
Streamliner sleeper train has had its brakes checked and two problems found have both been dealt with.
We have begun to plan for next weeks showcase weekend, a bit late because no one planned (or asked) us to participate until last week, and there was no crew set up. If there is no crew for the event, the set will be open for visits throughour the evening so a night experience will be possible either way.
On top of all, the RDC brakes work!!!! Mike found a cracked pipe and we hope to get that fixed this weekend; if all goes well, we will have RDC 9934 on the tail of the train for showcase weekend! After 17 years of sitting dormant, we will get her back to life. tomorrow we hope to get the power supply run so we can use the interior lights for night operations. No headlight or horn yet…but i have been able to track down some of the circuitry so I should be able to connect both the classification lights and headlights over the fall and early winter…..
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW9934?page=1
see you all soon at Showcase weekend
Update August 20 2008
Posted by: | Commentsnot a lot to report, simply because we are in the middle of the Thomas weekends.
Dover Strait lettering contionues to progress, going to be great to have it out in the sun soon, if Bob will let us set it out for display.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DoverStrait
Streamliner progress is also being made, but not much visible. We now have the first of the electrical poles up and running, and we hope to have Birminghams new power supply connected for this weekend!
The cord alone is costing $1100 so if anyone feels like donating, now would be a good time. The costs have almost doubled since the move to Yard 5 was first discussed, due to increased cost of the plastic, copper and shipping.
nothing is being wasted from our old wiring. The old Birmingham equipment will go to power the baggage car so we can actually have some working electricity for the shop.
The old baggage car inlet will go onto the RDC, as we get that car energized for the fall.
Its going to be neat to see the entire set lit after dark again without the need for generators! We will stil need two generators this weekend, to run Loch Sloy and the AC unit in Silver Ridge, but as soon as the parts come in Max has promised to do his best to get things connected. He already has all three breaker panels installed, and most of the outlets connected as well. Thanks to him for all the effort.
I hope to get the classification lights and headlights on the RDC working soon. I have located the circuitry, and will try to get them going. i had to stop to get the power pole done, but want to try and have more of the lights working saturday night.
I know its kind of neat for the volunteers to see the set lit after a hard day work on Thomas, and everyone is welcome for a snack or beverage if they wish. There are so many folks working so hard to make the Thomas event successful, its impossible to name them all.
Update August 11 2008
Posted by: | CommentsWell no time like the present to drop a note for all.
The department makes progress and plans for our little blue “friend” next week, and so some of our restoration projects have taken a slight slow-down. There are always exceptions, however……
First I simply have to brag on Bob Hunter, Bob Kutella and all the folks i cant name that have done a splendid job on Dover Strait. She got one side striped and lettered last week, and part of the sunday switch move was to get her turned for the second side. Thanks again to Kirk Warner for the inside pics, as he was busy scuffing the tank car for painting, and stopped long enough to keep us all up to date.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DoverStrait?page=1
second as we clean up the streamliner set for visitors, the RDC takes on a much better “look”.
Interior baggage lights are in better shape, we got last of the stuff cleared out of the inside, and with all seats in place, the lady cleans up pretty well.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW9934
Shelly got the mirrors intalled in Galt House, and in the absence of photos right now , believe me when I say the car is looking great!
Wayne made some modifications to the entry step for Susan Marie, and now the way is clear and solid for folks to get on the platform, with our plan still to make the interior accessible in the near future.
Also in the absence of photos, the bathroom in John McGlothan is also looking more and more like a bathroom, thanks to the continuing work of Roger Kramer
Parts have arrived to let Max begin the installation on the new power cabinets for Yard 5 , and when the transformer parts get here, the cabinets will be waiting for them eagerly (not to mention us).
Time to batten down and take care of the Thomas event; it looks like the weather will be reasonably cool. The forecast right now is for rain Sunday, but good temparatures, and pleasant skies the rest of the time. No swimming in Barn 3 allowed this year!!!