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

 http://www.irm.org/gallery/BM1094

 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.

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.