GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS 

As we approach the end of the year, we wish to thank everyone for their support, both social and financial, over the past year.

We also would be remiss if we didnt remind everyone that the need for the equipment is still great, as we try to make the best use of our funding possible.
Each and every car has its own account, and any donation can be made via check or via phone to the office and identify the equipment you wish.

The highest priority pieces right now are of course the ones we are trying to get home, and these are noted on the website in the donations page

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

On to the report…….
Repairs to the #1 track in Barn 3 are complete, and the cars involved are all back indoors.
The East end of the barn is now graded with rock, and a vehicle path has been opened into the picnic grove.
Congratulations to all departments involved in seeing the project through. 

http://www.irm.org/gallery/Track-31-repair

The Terror event was conducted and cars from the Passenger Dept performed successfully.
The damage sustained this year was significantly less, but not zero

We are also continuing our effort to reduce electrical demand in Barn 3 , reviewing the remaining cars to convert to CFL.
We have two more cars we are reviewing for conversion prior to next season; the single largest impediment will be the funding for the lamp conversion.
The long term benefits are well established.
Conversion reduces the electrical demand by about 50% PLUS virtually eliminating the need for purchase of specialty lamps, all the while increasing the visibility for our guests.

We also have reviewed the barn demand with Dave Diamond, to plan a conversion to CFL lamps within the barn itself.
This ultimately will reduce the consumption by about 60% while increasing the light output by 50%.
Dave will determine when the conversion is to be performed.

EQUIPMENT REPORTS 

Inbound Acquisitions
Incoming acquisitions have been sidetracked.

The UP approvals are not yet forthcoming, and we continue to await the resolution via the Executive Director. 

As many of you are already aware, this delay has caused the loss of the baggage car Olympus, as it was accidentally scrapped.
Gateway has made the effort to rectify the situation by donating a different baggage car.

This car is in its own way a significant item, as it is also original California Zephyr.
While we are disappointed by the loss of Olympus, the "silver lining" is that this car will be able to travel on its own wheels, making it an easier move, plus it has no significant damage, reducing the need for extensive restoration

This also has begun the conversation to acquire wheels for the dome car. 

In addition, the donation papers for the Milwaukee parlor Lake City have been received, and we plan to begin donation requests soon.
The website store is already set up for it.

http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_7&products_id=1652

We await transport plans from the Executive Director for this move.
Funds from the sale of Glen Alta have also been received, and we await the update from the Executive Director as to sale completion. 

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.  

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 also hope to complete the interior painting and return this car to service next season.         

Rock Island Coaches (6)
A winter project was discovered during Thomas as CRIP 2571 displayed a significant roof leak near one of the vents.
This has contributed to a significant sag failure of the ceiling, so this winter project will include interior repair of this car.
Roof repairs cannot be performed until the car can be accessed by scaffold in the 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.

http://www.irm.org/gallery/NYC-Dover-Strait

IC 3345
No progress at this time, although the car is masked in preparation for exterior painting, hopefully soon

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
The primary ventilation blowers, which were left in shambles by the previous owner, have been reinstalled, and we hope to effect motor installation soon, to allow for air movement
Electrical systems cannot be developed completely until we have the car in place (on wheels) to install a stable electrical system. 

 CNW RDC 9933
We have been fortunate to locate an operator that was stripping an RDC for parts, and have acquired the remaining baggage rack lights needed for the car.
Having an incentive to work in that space will also provide us with the opportunity to repair a couple of lights in the car as well as develop improvements in the ventilation system for summer.
Every season, a bit better, no? 

CBQ Silver Ridge
In addition to the minor cosmetic repairs following the Terror event, we hope to make progress with interior restoration, stalled for lack of time.  

UP Pacific Peak
With the addition of a new (UP fan) volunteer, we have plans to make some progress on backdating and restoration of the car interior.
Already Mike has gotten a chunk of Amtrak removed from walls in one bedroom, and with a bit of luck we can talk him into sticking around for the winter and moving forward.
We also plan to complete the modifications to the vestibule begun during the summer.
I hope to install direct feed ducting to the newly functional blowers similar to the stuff I put into Silver Ridge.
This will provide a more direct cold air input in summer, and improve the esthetics of the passage for our guests. 

http://www.irm.org/gallery/PPeak-2011

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 too. 

NP Loch Sloy
Since developing a ventilation plan for the sleeper Pacific Peak, we are now prepared to perform the same changes to this car.
In addition, our improved understanding of the cars' design will make it possible to improve the electrical feed in the spring, when we can get outside and underneath. Based on the success of  the work in the other cars this year, we feel we will be able to greatly improve the comfort and enjoyment of our guests in 2012. 

NP 230 Baggage Car
The exterior painting of the car is nearing completion.
Currently the Wednesday group needs one more day to complete the lettering and touch up, but if the weather does not cooperate, we have already discussed waiting for spring.

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.
The rusted areas of the south exterior have been replaced and sealed.
In addition , all the south side windows, which were leaking, have been stripped and caulked to reduce water damage in the car walls.
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.
A winter project includes the refinishing and repainting of the interior of the first car, to improve light and visibility.
All exhibits have already been removed and stored. 

The video camera system included in this years budget is now moving forward, with plans to complete it over the winter.
This will allow improved security in the display areas, and perhaps allow for more significant artifacts to be displayed in the future.

The intent of these exhibit cars is to make many of the displays temporary and therefore enhance the visitor experience with new things to view.
The recent displays were all well received, and some changes are planned for Spring 2012 to continue this practice. 

Jon Habeggers long term plans continue to take shape as he prepares for the anniversary exhibit
I have suggested to some other interested parties that we should begin to communicate about 2013, so we can coordinate the efforts.