Spring Cleaning

IRM was very busy today, and I think everybody had a great time. A lot got done. T0day was also opening day, and we had a few visitors.

I started by installing the final piece of window sill on the 518, and then painting it with white primer. The car has been turned so what is usually the north side is now to the south, to make it easier to work on. This side has had only a yellow primer for many years, but we're planning to paint this side in traction orange soon, for the Illinois Terminal extravaganza on April 30th.

This was also the first car cleaning day. A good number of volunteers showed up to wash windows, vacuum, and mop floors in the cars that will be used for revenue service this year. We really appreciate this help, let me tell you. There's still another opportunity, next Saturday, I believe, to participate in this activity. Otherwise, you should be ashamed of yourself. (OK, maybe not.)

For the 319 and 308, we had the Evans family hard at work washing windows. (L) The younger generation, Lee III and Julia, and (R) their father Lee Evans are doing a thorough job.

On the 309, Tom Lawson did the windows and then vacuumed the floor. Tom was a member back in the fifties but then moved about; he is recently retired and hopes to spend more time out at the Museum. So we had a good conversation. Among other things, he had known Julie Johnson through business, as he supplied paper to American Slide-Chart.

Many other people were helping out with the car cleaning, including Dennis, Steve, Linda, Tom, Dan and Chris, and others. Thanks!!!

I spent some time working on the 319's vestibule, in preparation for painting. Then, without warning, I learned it was time for:

Switching the World, Part LXXXIV

Yes, folks, it's time for another huge switch move, requiring at leat two locomotives and a cast of several. For one thing, we wanted to bring IT #233 out to an accessible location so it can be pulled out for pictures during the IT meet. Eventually, it will be stationed at the west end of 84, but in the meantime it'll be at the east end. In any case, track 84 was completely switched out, as well as most of 82, all of 62, and I don't know what else.

So I got to run the three-car train (319, 308, 309) back and forth, and helped with other parts of the shuffle.

These switch moves are more work than you might think. The participants today included the usual crew: Rod, Joel, Joe, Greg K., Dan, and Chris. I had to leave before it was done.

Here's the M1, which seldom sees daylight. This was one of Frank's first cosmetic projects, and still looks good.

The 36 and 1808 were moved from 82 to 84. The current line-up on 84 from east to west is now: 233, 319-308-309, 36-1808. The CA&E woods need to be inspected, but that won't happen until after IT Day. AndMay 28, Memorial Day weekend, will be when operation of the CA&E cars starts. Don't miss it!