Archive for News
Department update August 2011
Posted by: | CommentsI know its been a while. My fault.
Simply put, the time to put down info has been hard to find.
For now as always at least here is the monthly department report.
Feel free to ask questions, posting comments, i will do my best to answer them.
Its Thomas time, so the next two weeks are still kind of busy.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS
We await repairs to the #1 track in Barn 3, identified previously.
Preparation work has begun, and we hope the work can be completed in a timely fashion during
the next three to four weeks, while six pieces of equipment are out of the barn.
Inside displays in Barn 3 now include 14 of 16 cars lit
Barn 3 and Yard 5 were both reviewed for safety issues in anticipation of Thomas.
Safety kits were accounted for, and distribution plans were made for the event.
The Thomas train, as discussed earlier in the year, will be four CRIP coaches, two DLW coaches and the CNW 7700 combine.
This will place all commuter cars in the Thomas train, and place all
individual (restored) cars on the mainline train , where IRM operating dept staff will be able to better monitor the passengers.
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.
We await the action by the UP and the Executive Director to complete the plan for these moves, and we continue to hope for a completion of all tasks by the end of this year.
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.
In addition, Jack has been successful in completing the exterior painting during season, with no compromise of public access to the Barn,
Congratulations are in order for the effort.
BLE 25
Ready for service on mainline train during Thomas weekend.
Dover Strait
Corridor shade frames have been finished and installation has begun.
Bob and Gene eagerly await the car movement outside during the 31 track repair to complete the painting of the undercarraige.
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
While no obvious progress has been made, there has been some forward motion nonetheless.
Light glass for all dome fixtures has been located and acquired.
The two missing lower level seat frames have also been located and thanks to an effort by Nick, Mike and Ray, moved into the car.
A dome seat frame has also been located complete with seats, so I now have a pattern to fabricate the dome seats themselves.
With the NZ project complete, the upholstery shop awaits the metal frame fabrication to begin
creating the missing downstairs seat cushions. The hope is to begin this work within the next two weeks.
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 OEM blower system in the car turned out to have been a custom design for Amtrak.
The company involved is still in business, but there is no alternative motor to adapt the system.
Therefore, we removed it completely, saved it for potential future use, and replaced it with a pair of single phase blowers similar to the system we created for Birmingham.
This has solved the issue, and we have noted that the car interior has become noticeably more comfortable for our guests,with better air movement and less humidity.
The current AC feed to the fans is temporary, and we hope to build a method similar to Silver Ridge for a more permanent solution.
YARD 5 DISPLAYS
The exit of the special exhibit cars has deteriorated significantly. Mike, Ray and Marc have begun to disassemble and repair the platform and exit stairway.
The work is similar in nature to the platform work done on the DLW coach so the technique is known, it is simply a matter of having the opportunity and time to perform the work.
In addition, the side panels repairs to the car are being planned.
The replacement metal panels have been fabricated and await the time.
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 will of course have Thomas video running there for the two weeks of our friends visit.
With the recent death of Jonn Cloos, i have mentioned to some that we would be happy to create a space for one of his exhibits as a way to remember him.
Jon Habeggers 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.
Testing the connection
Posted by: | Commentssorry for delays in reporting folks, having a bit of technical difficulty publishing from my end.
The webmistress is not having the same issue, so i will see if I can solve it
for now realize it was a good diesel weekend, and it was HOT!!!!!!!
Department Report July 2011
Posted by: | CommentsIRM 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.
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