From a regular reader of ours in California, Tony Gura, comes a report on the restoration of Indiana Railroad car 202, which is being restored at the Western Railway Museum as Portland Traction 4001, its later identity. This car is identical to our IRR 205, which is being cosmetically restored. Tony writes:
I visited the Western Railway Museum on Saturday and thought you might be interested in some pictures of their Indiana Railroad car 202 which just started being restored as Portland Traction 4001. The car is in good structural shape and the restoration is expected to last 2-2.5 years and the only work performed thus far has been to replace the roof and strip the interior. This car is a sister to Indiana Railroad 205, which is being restored by IRM from its Portland colors back to Indiana. Once complete, they are planning to use this car as their main car in service since it is built of steel, rather than wood, so it would handle the winter weather better and allow the other wood cars some well deserved rest.
PS You have inspired me to volunteer to help restore this car. I may not know how to do any work but they have a need for unskilled labor.
PS You have inspired me to volunteer to help restore this car. I may not know how to do any work but they have a need for unskilled labor.
(All photographs courtesy Anthony Gura)
4 comments:
It sure would be nice if IRM would rehabilitate its Indiana car to operating condition after current project are completed.
While it could be restored to operation, the IRR 205 at IRM is in far worse shape than its counterpart at Rio Vista. The 205 spent a number of years stored outside in Washington State. The rainforest environment it lived in was not kind to the metalwork of the car.
Frank can go into the specifics, but it would take many thousands of dollars and many many hours to make the 205 run.
Tony,
thanks for posting the pictures which I can not do.
The Portland car now has a new wood roof. When I was there the other day; they were starting to ut some interior woodwork back in place.
Ted Miles
WRM Volunteer
Not to mention the 205 would require a total rebuild of both trucks and new wheelsets...the car has old cast-iron wheels that are beyond salvage.
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