Archive for Streamliners
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.
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.
midweek update 2011-05-25
Posted by: | Commentsas we approach the Memorial day weekend, preparations are underway.
EVERYONE COME OUT FOR THIS WEEKEND!
Jamie got the cars out and set up for the mainline. A seven car train for the weekend!
Today we went through them and made sure all was well. Safety kits in each car as usual
Then we turned our attention to Yard 5.
Another Wednesday of progress in little steps, nothing really “high profile” but good things nonetheless.
For all you Union Pacific fans, all 22 beds in Pacific Peak are open for use for the first time since it got to IRM.
A couple of the DBR lowers were uncooperative, and I know they have been this way since arrival. This year, I went after the problems, and now they are all functional.
By this time it was mid afternoon, and I saved time to finish assembling the window and shade frames in Roomette 8.
This is one of the Roomettes that had been in pieces since the windows were installed, and as many of you know, I have been trying to put things back together throughout the car this year.
Ceiling vents done, window ledges intalled.
This shade and trim set was last partly because the shade mount brackets were missing. Last week i pulled a template from another and made new ones.
I still have one bedroom shade to repair, as the roller is broken.
I think I am going to have to order from Adlake, and pay their prices.
I also have a torn shade in one roomette that should be replaced. another Adlake item.
Of course that means we now have ANOTHER excuse to ask for donations to the car. Adlake stuff is excellant, but not cheap.
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
Unfortunately the account is RSILVR not on the list, but donations to Silver Pony will defray the cost and free up other funds to pay for the work on Ridge.
If folks are inclined to donate in person or by phone then RSILVR works well. Thank you to everyone that continues to support our efforts.
updates 2011-05-15
Posted by: | Commentsok so the weather was lousy!
temperatures hovered around 50 as a high all weekend, with on and off rain and then the wind picked up….a raw time, felt like March
Then Saturday the front of Yard 5 got torn up for a major repair job.
I applaud the work. Dave is getting a ton of infrastructure done all at once, new plumbing, new gas, new electrical.
I only wish we had a pedestrian pathway to and from the yard.
Lacking a safe passage, we had to close all Yard 5 displays for the weekend.
With that done, we went to work on some of the projects we had put off for a while
I managed to actually get things done on all five cars over the two days, so all in all it wasnt a total loss for us.
I promise to set up some pictures in the blog soon, i am not quite ready, so I hope the links will do for now.
RDC got the light housings in the last baggage posts. They came in from the metal shop and i picked up glass lenses for them and installed it all Friday night.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW-9933-2011
RDC reading light installed and operating
Silver Ridge finally got the last four vent grilles installed. I mentioned that Marc had found them and this weekend was a perfect time to do inside work, so they got cleaned and put in. Paint will have to come later, but they are the correct parts, and now the only holes in the ceiling are the six light fixtures i still need
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CBQ-Silver-Ridge?page=1
last ceiling vent goes in
Pacific Peak has had a broken diaphragm curtain for a couple of years, and i had been jury rigging it for use. Once again, having time without visitors passing through, I found another curtain that i freed up and adjusted. Now installed, another weather protection for our guests in place.
Loch Sloy also had a chronic problem that i simply hadnt found the time or energy to attack. The passage light in the non vestibule end had been out, and it was a bad socket. Today was the excuse to tear it down, clean and repair it and reinstall it. Works well, now the connection between cars is better lit, and makes the exit corner from Birmingham a little more visitor friendly
I didnt think i had a “honey-do” list for the cars, but i guess i did!
Birmingham was the last stop on this repair tour, and its not quite done yet.
I have started to track down the power for the lights inside the freezer units, which, while not a major issue, is another one of those small cosmetic things that will brighten up the car and perhaps show folks more of the functions.
With a bit of luck Wednesday is the day i will be able to finish them too.
I know folks are interested in Silver Pony, but with the weather as it was this weekend, I certainly didnt plan to do windows on a ladder.
If i get a bit of sunshine, i hope to get back to it in the next week.
Obviously in two weeks, the WW2 event will take a lot of my time, but for this week, and perhaps this weekend coming I can make progress.
On the Barn 3 heavyweight front, Mike has been fighting the brakes of the second Lackawanna coach.
It has some issues, even after the repairs so far. He hopes it wil fix next week.
Shelly and Wayne got the seats back in the DMIR 84 coach after their great floor rebuild, and Mike and crew did the brake test, so its ready to go . The IC 2804 coach is done as well.
If the second DLW coach gets working all the top tier cars are ready for service. and he will be able to start on the CRIP coaches early.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/DMIR84
Congraatulations to the mechanical team!
He might even have time to do restoration work this summer in there!
Thats about all for now. Not a lot of drama, not a lot of big visible projects, but a lot of nagging issues resolved this week, so we feel pretty decent about it all even with the weather issues.
As always dont forget we still need donations for both Silver Pony and Olympus, not to mention the other projects going on.
We have noticed the the webmaster has been able to add a donation spot for indoor storage as well. This would be a donation to the Passenger Dept indoor storage fund, and the money would be specifically used to get more passenger dept equipment inside.
If you are interested in a particular piece of equipment, you will still need to make a specific donation to that piece. Some are on the website, all others can be done over the phone or in the mail or in person
Thank you in advance to anyone that can help us along.
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
Update 2011-04-24
Posted by: | CommentsCurrent events for the weekend
I hope to post the department notes later in the week, following Mikes review.
For now, just a Yard 5 update.
first, for the photo browsers, i have begun to organize the galleries in the Passenger dept gallery, to keep things a bit more organized. i am adding sub folders by year.
Next, the work in progress.
i am making progress in getting the set ready for the season.
As many of you know, I aim for Mothers Day every year, and this year was no different, until I learned that the Illinois Terminal Historical society is coming out on saturday.
So i am trying to suport that project a bit, simply by having displays open and running.
i have made a conscious decision to begin the season with a simpler (and cleaner looking) display, reducing many of the handouts and posters. At least for now. If more information seems right later, I can always add them.
I simply had a feeling last year that the displays were losing their value through overload.
The one big change will be the RDC displays. I have kept the RDC stuff, and pulled back on all the others. Personally, i like the appearance more, with the car actually looking like a railcar and not a picture gallery.
I think the Budd/Pullman display can be redone, but maybe in the Exhibit cars instead.
The same goes for the Operation Lifesaver stuff.
The other part of the reality, is that it will make the exhibit a bit easier to maintain.
Once I get the cars done, I do have a little project sitting on a flat car waiting patiently, no?
i took some railfan/modeler pictures of the RDC undercarraige added to the gallery
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW-9933-2011
will put the Zephyr information in Silver Ridge, as a more appropriate location.
Ridge took two days; partly self imposed.
I have negelcted this car for a while, with all the other things going on, and I promised her some serious work this year. Soooo,
I started at one end, and reinstalled window ledges, i also got the carpet in the corridor edged and reinstalled. It is not quite long enough after the repairs, but it is straight and gives a better line to the space.
As i have mentioned before, Marc found the ceiling vents that are missing, and I hope to get them installed this year. I do want to try and clean/repaint them before i put them in, but at least we have them now
I also replaced some of the berth latch hardware.
Little pieces but more and more back together, huh?
http://www.irm.org/gallery/CBQ-Silver-Ridge
I also have some new NP info and a video that i want to run in Loch Sloy once i can figure out a place to show it. Its not easy with all the small rooms, and no real open space as in the other cars.
If folks have ideas to make the show better, please let me know. Comments here or in person are always welcome.
For now, RDC and Silver Ridge are both completed and open fully. I hope to finish Pacific Peak this week, and the rest over next weekend.
Dont forget, much of this will cost money, and so donations will ALWAYS be needed. Olympus and Silver Pony remain on the donation site,
http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_7
and if you call the office you can donate to any piece of equipment directly,
Alternatives are the Passenger Car Dept in general RSPSGR
or the streamliner set in general RSILVER
Thanks to everyone that helps out.
I will post more general department info later in the week.