Hicks Car Works: 1998 IRM Journal

1998

Saturday, January 3
1. 321:
  1. I sanded down the letterboard, sectors 22-28. I worked on smoothing in the patch piece at the bottom of the letterboard in sector 22-23 which I installed many years ago. It was then painted with white primer.
  2. The two 321I windows in the “clean room” were painted with a coat of the finish maroon. They were still tacky at the end of the day, and so were not installed.
  3. The arched trim pieces for sector 23-24 were caulked and installed, along with the drip rail. These were later painted with brown primer, thus completing this phase for the first three double windows.
  4. I started putting Bondo in the gaps in the outer window sill (“belt rail”) at sectors 23-24; not yet complete.
  5. All remaining fragments of window sill in sectors 25-28 were chopped out. Then the underlying structural parts of the belt rail, as well as the exposed parts of the window posts, were painted with brown primer.
2. Misc.:
  1. It was unseasonably warm, but too damp for any finish painting.
  2. In the evening, I got a call from David Brightbill of Shade Gap; in response to my letter sent last November, he reported that they have, he believes, a complete set of the third rail beams for the 315, but cannot use them because they would not clear the loading platforms on their railroad. They are very interested in trading them for four of the Kuhlman 311-series stained glass windows which we own. They will be having a board meeting at the end of January, after which they will send me a formal letter.
    1. He would like a snapshot or two of the windows. Do this next time; take along the camera and the old light gun. Then remove at least one of the 311-style windows from the container.
    2. He would also like a toilet hopper and an oval window for the 315. I told him we do not have any spares, but I would keep this in mind.
Saturday, January 17 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I cut out two more arches from the ½” poplar in the shop. Later, I drilled holes and Frank inserted nails and painted the backs. Left in the clean room to dry.
  2. I sanded down the siding above the belt rail, sectors 21-22, and painted it with brown primer. I hoped to install the trim pieces here, but it was too cold and the paint was still obviously wet at the end of the day.
  3. Frank sanded down the siding below the belt rail, sectors 20-22, and painted it with primer.
  4. I did some Bondo on the siding to the left of window 28 and on the letterboard in that area.
  5. Frank removed the curved metal plate at the corner of the letterboard and the #2 end; it’s barely possible that there is some cream paint on the inside, but it needs to be carefully studied.
  6. Two spare 321I’s were removed from the container and taken to the 321 for use in changing out the windows while they are repainted. The two windows which were in the clean room were installed in sectors 27 and 28; the windows at 26 and 27 were taken to the clean room, and the spares were put in their place. The 26-27 pair were touch sanded and painted with brown primer; Frank did one and I did the other.
2. 309:
  1. A little cleaning and straightening, then I took interior photos to show the results of work on the toilet compartment and the new car cards.
  2. The circuit which includes the sign/canopy lights at the #1 end is out.
3. Misc.:
  1. We got the one Kuhlman stained glass window that wasn’t inside the plywood box and took it to the shop. There Frank worked on it for about ½ hour with a screwdriver and some Windex. We then took some pictures of it to send to Shade Gap. Put in the 321 for temporary storage.
  2. We visited the Strahorn Library, where Larry Goerges and Bill O’Brien were working. Frank found a color picture of the 7001 in the red stripe scheme (identical to 4021). Send Larry a copy of the Hicks roster from that guy in California.
  3. OK. Where in the world are my new(er) orbital sander and my heat gun???.
Saturday, January 31 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I installed the arches at 21-22. Not yet painted.
  2. I sanded down the Bondo to the left of window 28, also a little on the letterboard above it.
  3. Frank did some more sanding on the siding below window 19.
  4. Frank painted white primer around the end window at the #2L corner.
  5. I caulked around the oval window frame. I also filled the gaps inside the new piece of belt rail at this sector with Bondo.
  6. I cut out two Masonite templates for the trim around the oval window.
  7. Frank painted the two windows in the shop with maroon, also two of the three step brackets which are attached next to window 28.
2. 309:
  1. We installed our new “Over 45?” (traffic safety) car card in the smoker. It was noted that the repro Ford car card was badly wrinkled in some places, so it was removed and taken home. Perhaps if it is trimmed a little in the vertical direction it will fit better.
  2. We noted that everything feels damp, including all of the car cards.
3. Misc.:
  1. We looked at the D22 and the GG1, and discussed the painting possibilities.
  2. Frank spoke to Joe Reuter about 4001 pictures.
Saturday, February 14 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. Sanded down the siding, both above and below the belt rail, in sectors 19-20 and the oval. Frank also sanded down the corner post by window 28. Later all of this was painted with brown primer.
  2. I brought out the trim pieces for the oval window which I had cut out at home, and started marking them for fitting. Sanded down in the shop.
  3. I caulked and installed the horizontal molding strip over windows 21-22; later painted by Frank.
  4. Frank hand-sanded the window tracks for windows 25-28; ready for painting.
  5. We took home the visitor display board for revision and repainting.
2. D22 (!):
We pulled off the tarp which was covering the west end of the car and looked at the wood underneath. The roof is hopeless, but the letterboard is no worse than the rest of the sides.
1. Misc.:
  1. I measured the 315 window that is now stored in the 321. Frame outer measurements are 12 ½” by 58”.
  2. 309 was switched on Sunday (Feb. 8^th), now behind the Com Ed 4 on track 61, ahead of the L7 and the IC cars.
Wednesday, February 18
1. 309:
  1. Car was switched last Sunday, Feb. 15^th, so it’s next to the 321 again, with a gap of about two feet between the couplers. I finished shaping the wood for the end floor at the #1R corner, including drilling the 1” hole. The board was then painted with primer and installed. (I also primed the wood beneath, what there was of it.)
  2. Dropped the adapter coupler for the umpteenth time. . . .
  3. The bolt which holds up the pilot bracket at this corner should have a ½” metal shim, but I couldn’t find it. Looking back at the log, this side was probably disassembled last September, but I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t save the shim with the other parts. I looked over the area where it should have been in Barn 6, but could find nothing. It may have been buried in ballast.
2. 321:
  1. Sanded down the belt rail at sectors 19-22; this section was later painted with brown primer, at least in those parts which will be covered with Bondo, in preparation for filling. Bondo sanded down in sector 23-24.
  2. I found a piece of hard maple in Barn 4 which I cut out and made into a patch piece for the structural belt rail at sector 14. Machined in the shop using the original piece as a pattern; I made a 10” ship lap to match them. The old rail was then cut with the jig saw to the correct shape; not quite done fitting it.
3. Misc.:
  1. Spoke to Glenn Guerra briefly and showed him the 321.
  2. Bruneau said I should ask Dave Diamond about using a Museum truck for the trip to Orbisonia.
Saturday, February 28 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. We got a car mover from Barn 4 and moved the 354 east a couple of feet, then moved the 309 about 3 feet east, so there’s just enough room to walk between it and the 354, and finally moved the 321 to the 309 and coupled up. This gave us enough room to position the scaffolding across the west end of the 321.
  2. I sanded down the rest of the letterboard, sectors 15-21; also the siding above the windows in sectors 15 and 16, in preparation for primer.
  3. Frank started working on removing the metal plate over the train door on the #2 end. He removed both pieces of curved tack molding; these were saved for patterns. He also pulled off some of the tar paper, and removed many screws.
  4. He painted the backs of the two grab irons which go on either side of the train door.
2. Misc.:
We attended the mid-winter soiree at Donley’s.
Sunday, March 1 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I finished sanding down all of the siding in sectors 15-18.
  2. Frank painted the rest of the letterboard with white primer, sectors 15-21; we then took turns with the brown primer and finished all of the siding on the sidewalk side.
  3. I sanded down the Bondo which I had put on the window sill in sector 23-24 some more, then Frank put on another coat of white primer. I started putting Bondo on the sill in sector 22.
  4. Frank painted the two grab irons with Rustoleum primer, and hung them up in the clean room.
  5. In preparation for eventually making new side doors, I measured the vestibule doors to be 27½” wide, while the side doors are 29½” wide.
2. Misc.:
  1. We took measurements of both the D22 and the Michigan Electric 28 for use in displays.
  2. We talked to Doug Geren about providing material for the Museum’s Web site.
  3. Frank returned the TM book to Bruneau.
Wednesday, March 18
1. 321:
  1. I cut out four more arches (two pairs) in the shop, using the jig saw, plus started on the last two needed for the south side. These four were painted on the back with primer in the clean room.
  2. Sanded down the primer on the belt rail at sector 21-22; two more batches of Bondo were then applied and smoothed. Seemed to work well. I sanded down the molding under the belt rail in sectors 19-21 also.
  3. Arches were installed in sector 19-20 with caulk; also the horizontal strip in this section. Later, the new parts were painted with primer.
2. Misc.:
  1. I helped George Clark change the belt on the belt sander, for use in sanding down the new arched trim pieces.
  2. Argued with Nick about the color of the 321; stay tuned, I guess.
Sunday, March 22 (with Frank)
1. M1:
  1. The M1 display panel, which we finished at home yesterday, was brought out and installed.
  2. Frank did the lettering in silver (we had to drive to Marengo to get some silver paint.) Car is now finished except for black outlining of the lettering, which Frank will do next time. Looks good.
2. D22:
Frank did some touch-up painting on the sidewalk side with the yellow left over from the M1.
1. 321:
  1. I started installing the curved molding strips around the oval window. The top piece was installed; the right side is attached but not yet finished. I am using small pieces of aluminum sheet as pads to make a level surface to mount the molding strips on. I also used the Dremel tool to trim the copper flashing. Decided to install them all first, then caulk.
  2. I examined the 308 for traces of the cream paint in the maroon paint scheme. Nothing was found on the car itself, but I located one of the window sills from the #2 end (there should be another, but I couldn’t find it) and took it to the shop. This appears to have an extensive patch of the cream color, which is excellent news. Layers, from the top, seem to be:

Blue (skipping the 1950’s red, etc. on top of this....)
Cream
Red (1920’s)
A primer or filler of some sort; the Pullman Green which must be underneath seems to flake off with this layer.

It is difficult to keep the red from bleeding through the cream, but I should think that Diamond will have no problem matching it. The window sill piece was taken home for further study.

Misc.:
1. We gave the 4001 pictures and disk for the Web site to Doug Geren.
2. We visited the 141 with Frank Sirinek and viewed his progress; also walked through Barn 2.

Sunday, March 29 (with Frank)
1. M1:
Frank outlined the lettering in black, thus finishing our work on this car. He used One-Shot black enamel from Bob Bruneau.
1. 321:
  1. I put a first coat of the finish maroon enamel on the woodwork in sectors 1-2 above the belt rail only. Looks very good from a reasonable distance, although the glossy finish tends to bring out the defects in the wood when you’re looking at it closely. Actually, I did this several weeks ago before arguing with Nick on March 18^th: that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
  2. I removed the corner tack molding pieces at both sides of the #2 end, and removed (almost all) the remaining screws. Also, the elbow on the whistle pipe had to be removed. The metal plate is now ready to take off.
  3. Frank sanded down the molding strip under the window sill in sectors 15-18 and painted it with white primer.
2. Misc.:
  1. Switching in Yard 5. Bring my camera tomorrow.
  2. Frank spoke to Doug about pictures for the Web site; also to Frank Sirinek about possible painting the 9020 at some point.
Monday, March 30 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. We removed the metal plate and put it on the scaffold. The curved wood plate behind it has some large checks and cracks, and the edges, mostly where the screw holes for the metal plate are, is deteriorated. But there is no rotting at the places where the upper and lower parts of the roof meet, where there was considerable rotting out on the 309. Not sure why. I note that the wooden plate is thinner than the corresponding piece(s) of the 309, and is one piece, not two. The metal plate is in remarkably good condition; there are no rusted-out sections. The top edge is full of holes due to repositioning and replacement of the curved tack moldings, but will certainly be usable as is.
  2. Frank painted the window tracks for 27 and 28 with primer.
  3. I put more Bondo on the window sill for 23-24; should be about ready for final primer. Bondo on the letterboard from sector 27 to the end, also.
  4. We got the large wire wheeler from Bruneau and completely stripped both sides of the metal plate, in about 1¼ hours. We took turns, and Frank had so much fun doing this he wants me to buy him one. He then painted the back of the plate with Rustoleum.
  5. I worked more on the curved moldings for the oval window. The right hand piece was completely nailed, and the bottom was installed also. It was painted, but no caulking yet. The left hand piece needs to be trimmed some more, and then it can be installed also.
  6. Archaeology Dept.: On the back of the metal plate there is stencilled lettering which says:
[ CHICAGO AUR]ORA AND ELGIN RR CO.

[ WHEATON] ILL.

[ALBERT A.. SPR]AGUE AND BRITTON I. BUDD REC.

We are guessing at the words within the brackets, since this is where the hole for the bus jumper is cut out of the plate! In any case, this indicates that the plate was installed sometime between 1932 and February 20, 1937, when Sprague and Budd were the receivers. It appears that there was no metal plate, only bare wood here until the 1930’s, as Steve Conry has said. Compare this to the lettering on the back of the 309’s metal plate - see entry for May 14, 1995.

The wood underneath still had several clear patches of the 1920’s red. Frank sanded down and put primer on the wood plate, but left one small section in the original red, since it was in good condition; this area is directly over the whistle pipe. Also, when we wire-wheeled the back, the yellow stencilling came out clearer. It was then painted over with primer, but the lettering is still there.

I should also note that I found some traces of the cream paint along one edge of the plate, where it was covered by the curved metal corner; it didn’t appear feasible to save any fragments (and I could hardly take the plate to the paint store for matching), but they matched the color of the window sill from the 308 exactly, in my opinion.
1. Misc.:
  1. Frank took a large number of roster shots of various pieces of equipment, for use in expanding the Museum’s web site. Since Yard 5 was being switched, he had an opportunity to get some good views of the Diesels there which are normally hidden.
  2. Frank loaned his copy of Andy Young’s roster book to Bruneau.
  3. Cleaning up for the Museum’s official opening next week. Connected the brake hoses and jumpers.
Saturday, April 11 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. We started drilling out and installing dowels in the screw holes for the metal plate. Also, I applied Bondo over most of the wood.
  2. I removed the curved metal plate at the #2R corner; later, Frank took it to the shop and wire-wheeled it. He also reported finding several clear patches of the cream paint, again in exactly the same shade as the 308’s window sill.
  3. I finished installing the trim around the oval window. Also, I scraped and sanded down the copper flashing and the window frame, and put brown primer on them.
  4. Frank sanded down and scraped the third rail beam for the #2L truck, then spray painted it with black primer. Also, he did some sanding on the anticlimber at the #1L end, then spray painted it with finish black. (The anticlimber must eventually be needle-chipped, however.)
2. 309:
Frank sanded down and scraped the third rail beam for the #2L truck, then spray painted it with black primer. Also, he put a second coat of finish black on the #1L beam.
1. Misc.:
  1. Frank delivered the pictures he took last week to Jamie Kolanowski.
  2. He took some measurements of the D22 for the display board.
  3. I spoke to Jim Nauer, Jim Johnson, and others about the 321 controversy.
Thursday, April 16
1. 321:
  1. I sanded down both side doors on the sidewalk side. Painted the top half of the #2 side door with primer; I plan to wait until the end plate is installed, and let Frank roll the metal plate on the side door at the same time he does the end plate, I guess. I also sanded and later painted the lintel over the #2 side door.
  2. Bondo to seal all parts of the oval window moldings; later painted with primer.
  3. Worked some more on the control system: see notes. Since the controller handle on the #2 end is still at home, used the #2 end of the 309 to run the system. Seemed to work fine.
  4. I installed light bulbs in the 600v circuits and got all three center light circuits working again. These are supplied with the illegal hardware-store bulbs, so cannot be left on when no one’s in the car.
  5. Cleaning, straightening, and sweeping.
2. Misc.:
  1. Spoke to Glenn and visited the 504.
  2. Took home a piece of belt rail for acquiring new poplar. Need two double-window sections.
Sunday, April 26 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Frank sprayed the third rail beam at the #2 end with a first coat of finish black.
  2. I replaced a bad bulb to get all light circuits working again. We had the car open briefly for visitors while we worked on the inside. All seat cushions were put back in place.
  3. Several new screws were inserted to hold the light fixtures in place; some of them had never been installed. Then Frank went along and touched up all the screw heads with green. He also painted the light fixture at 8-9 that was still in white primer (!). I must also confess that the light fixture in the sector 1 corner was never even stripped; needs to be stripped and repainted some time.
  4. Sweeping and straightening: I removed all of the tools and parts in the car and moved them to the 321. We need three more car cards to complete both sides.
2. 321:
  1. We put some more dowels in the holes over the #2 end, and I put Bondo in the remaining cracks.
  2. We put the metal plate back in place and started installing screws. New screws are needed to complete this job. I believe this plate will be aligned nearly perfectly, better than I was able to reposition the 309’s.
  3. Frank used Bruneau’s wire wheel to grind the grab iron over the motorman’s end window, and the one on the train door at the #2 end.
  4. I started removing the paint and tar from the truss rod with a chain; also, Frank did some grinding on the rod, plus the #2 queen post.
3. Misc.:
  1. Spoke to Bruneau and Nick about the 321.
  2. Visited the 504 and the 141.
  3. Frank spoke to Doug about pictures for the Web site
  4. More painting to be done on M1 and D22.
  5. Looked at the scrap book again.
Thursday, April 30
1. 321:
  1. I installed the final piece of molding under the window sill at sector 21-22; after enough face nails had been put in the siding, no special planing was needed. I then sanded down all of the window sill from sector 22 to 14, and painted the sill and the molding beneath it with white primer. For sectors 19-22 the primer is only on the curved edge of the sill, but that’s about all a person of normal height (such as myself) can see from the sidewalk. In sectors 15-18 the sill is in good condition. This improves the appearance of the car for visitors considerably.
  2. I brought out the poplar I had bought for making the window sills for 25-28; Glenn wasn’t there, so I was unable to work in the shop. Poplar was stored in the 321.
  3. Many more screws were installed in the metal plate.
  4. I also removed much of the tar paper on the roof at the #2 end, and a few pieces of wood. The center part of the roof is just over 6 feet wide, and the end pieces are no more than 4½ feet long, nominally 2” wide, in two layers as on the 309. The carlines here appear to be in reasonably good condition.
2. 309:
  1. I installed the little piece of lead we found last week on the step projection at the #2L corner. Need three more, plus a piece for the other side of the step at #1R.
  2. The roof cable at the #2L corner projects way too far out over the roof where it loops over the edge to go back into the attic; I tried to move it in a little, but without success. It will probably be necessary to open up the attic and pull on it from inside. While doing this, I found that the top step bracket had a loose screw! This, of course, is a serious accident hazard. I could not find a longer screw (2” #14 OH), so filled the hole with wood and reinserted it. Needs to be watched.
3. Misc.:
I asked Dave Diamond about getting a truck to go to Orbisonia; he doesn’t have a road-worthy vehicle to spare, so I should ask Jim Johnson. The Santa Fe truck belongs to the track department.
Saturday, May 9 (with Frank) [714 miles]
1. 321:
  1. We drove to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to examine the 320’s control group. George Crawley was not there. Spoke to Ted Meyers and others.
  2. Detailed findings:
    1. The group seems to be configured exactly as the 321.
    2. There are a total of nine control resistor tubes on the main group, all of which are 125 (Two behind contactor #1, two behind #4, two behind #8, one behind #10, two behind #11.)
    3. For the field tap control, there are two small tubes (wired in series), each 1250. Also, I tested the magnet valve coil; it read 540.
    4. The overload relay (disgustingly enough) works much better than the 321’s; it drops down when tripped with no problem. There is no resistor in the brackets; we had no opportunity to apply 600V so I have no idea whether the reset function actually works.
2. Misc.:
  1. We then drove to Monticello, where Frank took several pictures. The IT sleeper 535 is no longer there; they donated it many years ago to the historical society in Harristown, which is just west of Decatur.
  2. Visited the IT 535 at Harristown, Ill. It is located next to the old substation building, which is now used by some craft shops, etc. We noted it is not on its trucks, and wondered what happened to them.
Monday, May 11
1. 321:
  1. I started testing all of the control resistors with my VOM. A total of seven were removed; only the two behind contactor #8 were left in place, as they seem to be good, both visually and electrically. I have two good 125 tubes to reinstall if necessary.
  2. I looked in the electrical parts reefer, but there are no usable resistors available. The control groups from the 318 are in Bruneau’s reefer, but they cannot be opened up without moving them (and probably a lot of other heavy junk), and since the probability that they have the correct tubes is small, the best thing to do is to order brand new tubes. Bob gave me a couple of catalogs so I can call up suppliers.
  3. I was then informed that the 321 color controversy was brought up at the board meeting on Saturday evening (May 9^th); work ceased on the 321 until this could be resolved. Talked to Doug Geren and Jim Nauer about what was said at the meeting.
2. 309:
  1. I started to adjust the curved molding pieces I had made several years ago which go around the clerestory windows. The first two will be installed at 7-8.
  2. I removed the motor brushes from motors #1 and #2, labeled them, and put them in the brush drawer in the 321’s smoker. All motor covers were then replaced and correctly installed.
  3. I checked the compressor oil; added about two gills to the main sump, and about an ounce to each of the motor bearings. I then pumped up the car. Brakes operated OK.
  4. Motor fuse was removed on the #1 side (not sure why it was still in place); contactor cut-outs, etc. were checked. I then tried applying power to the two motors, with the car coupled to the 321 which was securely chocked. Seems to be OK. We hope to pull the car out for the CERA visit later this month, and also operate it for the Trolley Pageant.
3. Misc.:
  1. I had a summit meeting with Nick and Bob B.; we looked at the picture of the 321 in Johnson’s scrapbook.
  2. Showed Jim Blower where the M1 is, and where the paint was stored; Bruneau may want him to paint the other side of the car.
  3. Discussed the CERA meeting; still not clear whether it’s May 24^th or May 31^st.
May 12^th: I ordered ten 125 130W tubes from Huntington Electric, for $150.
Sunday, May 17 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. I tried cleaning the sides of the car with a mop, but the results were not what was hoped.
  2. Installed two car cards in the smoker, thus filling the necessary places.
  3. Frank painted the wood on the end with blue.
2. 321:
I installed the display board at the #1 end; it is held together temporarily with nuts and bolts, as we have some more pictures to produce.
1. M1:
We painted the north corner of both ends with Pullman Green.
1. Misc.:
  1. Visited the 504 and the D22. Viewed the excursion train and visited the book store.
  2. Measured the 308 for a display board.
  3. The CERA visit will definitely be on the 24^th.
Saturday, May 23 (with Frank)
1. M1:
Frank finished painting both ends of the car with yellow and with gloss black. We borrowed Jim Blower’s ladder.
1. 309:
  1. Spent some time cleaning the outside of the car; mostly Frank did the siding, while I did the windows, using paper towels this time, with much better results.
  2. Frank swept out the inside.
  3. I made an easel for display purposes; Frank later painted it blue.
2. 321:
I received the shipment of control resistors from Huntington Electric and took it home.
1. 4927(!):
  1. We looked at the carbody in greater detail; we also tested my theory about marking the arcs on the ends with string to create an oval, but it didn’t work. Partly this was due to the unevenness of the surface, and also because if it is an oval, the major axis must be below the bottom line of the carbody. We will just have to create a large template of some sort. We decided we should paint it with a black primer if at all possible, so that only one finish coat of Brunswick Green will be required.
  2. Frank marked out the lettering of “Pennsylvania” on the west side of the locomotive in chalk. I also put some masking tape along part of the arc as a test.
2. Misc.:
Visited the 141.
Sunday, May 24 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Uncoupled from the 321. Ran outside the barn on two motors with no problems. Car was open most of the day for visitors, including the CERA group. Generally a constant stream of visitors. Later we mounted the headlight and marker lights. The easel helped, we believe.
  2. After putting the car back in place and coupling it to the 321, I reconnected the hoses and jumpers.
2. 321:
I got seven BO resistors from the electrical reefer and took them home to rebuild with the new tubes.
1. Misc.:
  1. I also operated the 415, 354, and 251. Spoke to George Krambles. Also Ralston Taylor and others.
  2. I spoke to Bob Olsen about painting the GG1; he said he would put in $500 for paint, if necessary; we should estimate what the total cost will be.
  3. Helped a little with putting the 28 back on its truck.
Saturday, June 6 (with Frank)
1. 309:
Tested the brakes and the control system when trained with the 321, as detailed below.
1. 321:
  1. Six new (rebuilt) control resistors plus one old one were installed, but not without a lot of effort, including finding new machine screws. One terminal needed to be resoldered.
  2. We then sequenced the control, and found (to my surprise) that all contactors are working properly. See the sequence diagram below. Checked that both the 321 group and 309’s #2 group work correctly from any controller. To test the motor circuits, I connected the light bank across the (open) motor switch, and sequenced the control. The light bank didn’t light, which is good, of course.
  3. We then connected the light bank to the field tap control. It lit up on every point, which can’t be correct. Since the magnet valve coil appears to be burned out, nothing happens, but this needs to be studied, I guess.
  4. The controller at the #2 end needs some work; the throttle releases sluggishly from the first point. I noted that the throttle fingers make only slight contact on the first point, then close more securely on the second point. Then there’s no more movement on following points. This isn’t correct, as the throttle fingers should close all the way on the first point. Not yet sure what can be done about it.
  5. The brake stand at the #2 end was reassembled, then we retested the train brakes. The 321’s triple valve seems to need to be cleaned, as it appears to be leaking slowly through the valve in the release position.
  6. I removed all of the motor covers and remeggered the commutators. They all appeared to read over 2M, a substantial improvement since we meggered them last, several years ago in Barn 2.
2. Misc.:
  1. Looked at the GG1, particularly the roof.
  2. I took the rules test (on a moving train) and passed (99/100). Thanks, Harold.
Sunday, June 7 (with Frank)
1. 309:
Looked at the #2 end controller, mostly as a comparison with the 321. Throttle now seems to release OK.
1. 321:
  1. I realized that yesterday the motor fuses weren’t connected, so the light bank test of the motor circuits was meaningless. The motor fuse box still had the two original fuses, but they were disconnected at one end. I removed one fuse and reconnected the other, and reran the test successfully.
  2. I loaded all of the motor covers into the car, after numbering them with chalk. All motor hatches were pried up and put aside.
  3. Had trouble putting the motor brushes back in the 254’s. This will be a two-man job.
  4. Studied the controller operation, and oiled it up. Seems to work a little better. However, for the time being it will be best to push the handle off when shutting off from the first point.
  5. Did some cleaning and straightening inside and outside the car.
  6. Need to add oil to the main bearings.
2. Misc.:
Visited by Fr. Nesbit and the youth group.
Saturday, June 20 (with Frank) --- FIRST OPERATION OF THE 321 ---
1. 321:
  1. Frank helped me with reinstalling the motor brushes, but we decided it’s a one-man job after all; I finally figured out how to do it by myself. We then cleaned things up to get ready for moving the car. We borrowed Jim Blower’s ladder, which he had been using to paint the M1, to get onto the roof and make sure nothing was going to fall off.
  2. After switching the 354 out and back into the barn on track 72, I pulled the 321 outside using the 309 running on two motors. The 309 was then uncoupled and moved over onto track 71. We connected the stinger to one pole of the 309 and hooked the other end onto the 321’s motor switch, so Frank could easily turn power on and off using the 309’s other pole.
  3. I then ran the 321 under its own power for the first time since 1962. Everything seemed to work well. No problems were noted with the wiring or motors; of course, the wheels sparked at first, but this went away quickly. The car seems to move faster than the 309, at least on the first point. We ran it back and forth on track 73 several times, about 200’. I got up to the third point. After we were sure there wouldn’t be a fire, Frank rode along and observed the motors. He reported little or no sparking at the brushes. The brakes worked well.
  4. We then put the stinger away and coupled the 309 up to the 321, and made all of the connections. After some testing of both the brakes and the control system, the two cars were moved onto the Barn 8 lead. Here I started lubricating.
  5. Lubrication:
    1. Compressor was checked, found OK.
    2. All main journals topped off.
    3. All axle caps filled. Motor #1 has a very unusual axle cap design.
    4. One bag of crater in each of the gear pans.
    5. I also put some oil on the journal slides, for the first time. [Later, Bob Bruneau indicated maybe lubricating the slides wasn’t such a good idea. In particular, I should probably discard the old waste on top of the journals, which by now is a solid mass.]
    6. Finally, we got the compressor oil pump from the car shop and put oil in all of the armature bearings. The armature bearing covers on these motors are much easier to deal with than the 309’s.
  6. I put the 354 back on track 73 next to the 9020. Frank helped me move the scaffold.
  7. After revenue service was over, we were able to take the two-car train out on the main line for two trips. We had the railroad to ourselves. Frank operated part of the time. John Smatlak from Orange Empire was visiting, and was a guest motorman. Jerry Saunders also came along. Incidentally, during the first trip the train seemed to be moving more slowly than I had expected for full series. John Smatlak was watching the motors, since we still had the motor covers and the hatches removed, and reported that they looked fine. I then discovered I had left the 309’s motor switch open, so the 321 was doing all the work. On the second trip full series speed seemed much better. Absolutely no problems were encountered. John noted that motor #1 seems louder than the others (mostly brush noise), but nothing out of the ordinary.
  8. Things to do soon:
    1. Replace motor covers and hatches.
    2. Fix trap door at #2R end more securely.
    3. Take the triple valve home for cleaning - it leaks air in the release position. This doesn’t affect the safe operation of the brakes, as I was careful to verify, but makes the compressor work harder.
2. 309:
  1. Checked the compressor; lubricated the main bearings. Operated as described above.
  2. I also put some oil on the journal slides for the first time. Due to the different truck design, this is much less obvious than on the 321. [See note above.]
3. Misc.:
  1. Very hot and humid. We probably worked too hard, but the results were worth it.
  2. Frank spoke to Joe Reuter about several subjects, but mostly his roster.
  3. He also spoke to Bob Olsen about the GG1.
  4. John Smatlak took videotape and stills of the test runs, and promised to send me copies of anything good. He will also be sending Frank a copy of the updated Orange Empire roster.
Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day, with Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen)
1. 321:
  1. We went to Relic to talk to Don McCorquodale. He gave us a paint chip of the tan paint from the 316. This is second-hand evidence, since it’s the paint they matched to original samples, they say, and used to paint the vestibules and doors c. 1965, but it’s the best we have so far. I thought it looked a little too dark, but Frank thinks it’s just fine. Will take it to Diamond to be matched sometime soon.
  2. We also talked about glass globes. I’d forgotten this, but the 316 had the glass globes still in place, with the same sheet metal housing as in the 321/318. Only one is still (partly) intact, with a large hole in it. They are interested in getting more made, and we should coordinate with Mt. Pleasant.
2. Misc.:
Rode the 715.
Tuesday, June 23
1. 309:
  1. Mostly cleaning and straightening. I removed the whistles and locked them up; I also found that I had left a Museum radio in the 309, and returned it to the office.
  2. Cleaning up in the aisle; also, I put one of the display boards back on the car.
2. 321:
  1. I removed the waste from the tops of the journal boxes and threw it away.
  2. I replaced the motor covers and hatches. Incidentally, I had not before noticed that the hatches for motors 1 and 4 are smaller than those for 2 and 3. The motor covers are of two different types, for no apparent reason.
  3. I removed the triple valve and took it home for cleaning. The gasket is WABCO Pc.9356.
  4. I worked on the #2R trap door a little, but any permanent solution will require major rebuilding at this corner.
3. Misc.:
Bob Bruneau gave me the stencil and maroon lettering paint for the D13, which he would like Frank to letter. We also looked at the M1.
Monday, June 29 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I sanded down the letterboard sectors 25-28, where Bondo had been applied; also the ends of the car which will be cream.
  2. I painted the #2 end with white primer, including the end posts, and the letter board to sector 25.
  3. We traded the C6 handle currently in use on the 321, which has the melted Bakelite parts, to Bruneau for a good one from the controller car. I also gave him the replacement handle parts, which we no longer need.
  4. I showed the triple valve to Bob and Carl. The gasket within the valve itself is shot; unfortunately, we could not even find a replacement number in Carl’s catalog. This will require some more research. However, Carl did find a new gasket for mounting the triple valve. Bob let us take the valve from the M15, which he doesn’t want anyone to operate. Frank helped me with removing it. On Friday we will mount this on the 321 and test it; we can use it on a temporary basis until the 321’s is repaired. I did some cleaning of the valve body and the slide mechanism on the 321’s valve.
2. D13:
Frank did the number [D13] on the east cab in maroon.
1. D22:
Frank did the lettering [T. M. E. R. & T. CO.] on the north (sidewalk) side of the car. He believes there should also be a number under the left-hand cab window, but Bruneau doesn’t have this ready yet.
1. Misc.:
  1. Frank mounted his display card on the 19 (actually, on the flat car). Frank Sirinek asked him to make a similar one for the 141.
  2. Discussed masking the M1 with Jim Blower.
  3. I checked the diameter of the ceiling globe fixtures for 309 and 321. In both cases, I believe the outer diameter of the globe should be 14”, and the inner diameter of the ring is 13 5/8”. I should call George Crawley to see if anything is happening on this project.
  4. Nick gave us George Krambles’ phone number, so I can remind him about 321 pictures.
Friday, July 3 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. Frank painted both side doors on the south side with brown primer.
  2. I started sanding on the north side, both the letterboard and the rest of the siding. Frank then did the letterboard with white primer, and the rest of the sides with brown primer. We finished sectors 3-10. It was too hot to do much more.
  3. I installed the new controller handle at the #2 end; I also brought out the wrong triple valve, so the brakes could not be tested.
  4. I removed the adapter coupler from the 308 and moved it to Barn 7. Unfortunately, this one seems to be nearly as heavy as the other.
2. M1:
I masked off the north side of the car for Jim Blower.
1. Misc.:
  1. We removed one of the tool trays which Glenn Guerra made for the 504 and installed it on our scaffold in Barn 7.
  2. Watched trolley buses for a while. The trolley bus department is under new management, and Frank spoke to Jerry and the others about repainting one of the buses (192).
  3. I spoke to Nick about switching the GG1 and the B&M diner. He approved.
Saturday, July 4 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Operated for the trolley pageant, trained with the 321; one trip around the car line, plus switching. No problems.
  2. After service, I touched up both vestibules with blue paint. Marks on the cabinet doors and the grab irons were covered over.
2. 321:
  1. The triple valve from the M15 was installed and tested.
  2. Operated for the trolley pageant. No problems other than the fire scare (!), as follows:
  3. While changing ends on the tail track, Frank smelled wood burning. We found that a spark had fallen from the 309’s pole onto the rotted end of the car at the #1L end, where the window is still disassembled. No open flame, but it was smoldering evenly. We used the fire extinguisher to put it out, and Frank watched it for most of the rest of the pageant. I will cover over this end with some spare sheet metal.
3. Misc.:
  1. George Krambles met us after the pageant, and showed us some pictures he had picked out of the 321 and the 4001. Ordered prints of some of them. Items of interest about the 321:
    1. Clearly shows no lens in the dash light, but a flat piece of metal or wood painted maroon. Also, gives a good shot at determining the exact size and shape of the notches in the folding signs.
    2. Step on the roof hip over the folding step irons.
    3. When asked what he thought the basic roof color was in the maroon paint scheme, he said he thought it was red, i.e. maroon (well, actually he first said it was “just dirt”). We also noticed, looking at the sheet metal clerestory sides more closely, that they were first 1920’s red, then maroon, then grey.
  2. Frank painted the tool tray blue.
  3. Frank spent some more time at the trolley bus barn, and got to ride one the buses which was being operated for the first time.
  4. I spoke to Jamie Kolanowski about being qualified on the Army Diesel.
Thursday, July 9 [20 miles]
1. 321:
I went to Diamond Paints in Des Plaines to have both the cream and tan paints matched. See the resulting formulas below. The items matched were a window sill from the end of the 308, which I had carefully sanded down until several large patches of the cream paint showed clearly, and a brown paint chip given to me by Don McCorquodale on June 21. After seeing the results, I withdraw my objection to the brown paint from Relic as being too dark.
Monday, July 20 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. Frank painted the belt rail and the letterboard in sectors 1-2 with the new cream paint - results appear excellent (a second coat will be needed; in particular, there are some bristles from the last primer coat to be removed.)
  2. I sanded down all of the remaining blue sections at the #1L corner, including both door posts and the end window. Later, I painted all the blue parts with Rustoleum primer - actually, all sections which will be maroon.
  3. We painted both side doors on the sidewalk side with the new tan paint; again, very satisfied with the results. Frank started on the #2 door; I finished it, and did the door at the #1 end.
  4. Frank also painted the electrical cabinet door and the siding below it in the #1 vestibule with the tan paint.
  5. Frank did some grinding on the truss rod on the “R” (center aisle) side, also the #1 truck.
  6. After moving the scaffold around to the end of the car, I put a coat of primer on the #2 end metal plate with a spray can. This is a light grey color industrial primer for metal/wood.
2. Misc.:
  1. We sorted out the stained glass windows in the container. All of the 310 and 318 windows were (temporarily) removed from the box. Inventory of the 311 windows: we have a total of eight, of which two have broken wooden frames, although the glass itself is good. The one which we partially stripped is in the 321; we put four good ones back in the box, and the other three are in the container. We plan to travel to Orbisonia on Aug 15^th and trade four 311 windows for the two third-rail beams they have located.
  2. Frank painted about half of the scaffold with a spray primer (red).
  3. Frank taped up display pages in the 4021 and 9020, and spoke to Bruneau about various things.
  4. We talked to Bruneau about display case possibilities.
Sunday, August 2 (with Frank and Maggie)
1. 309/321:
  1. Cars needed to be moved west a few feet, since in our present location, they say, wheelchairs cannot get around the 415 when the track is full on weekends. I couldn’t find the car mover, so the 354 had to be pumped up and moved under its own power two feet closer to the 9020. Then I removed one of the steel steps, and moved the scaffolding up to the 354.
  2. Finally, both the 309 and 321 were pumped up and moved five feet. Helped by Maggie.
2. Misc.:
  1. We viewed the autos present for the Transport Extravaganza.
  2. Frank discussed switching the 4927 with Doug Geren and others.
  3. We looked at the two box cars and two new El cars (30 and 41) which had just arrived.
Friday, August 7 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. We moved things around in the container enough to get the coffin out to the door, then the four 311 windows we’re taking to Rock Hill were carefully packed, and the lid was nailed shut. Ready for shipment.
  2. Later, I spray primed the siding below the belt rail in sectors 7-10.
2. Misc.:
  1. We looked at the CTA weed sprayer and two flat cars which had just arrived.
  2. Frank left his watch in the washroom, so we had to go back the next day. It was found by Phyllis and put in the office safe. Thank you.
Saturday, August 8 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. Spoke to Dave Diamond about getting the key next Friday to the Suburban. Also, on the way out we looked at the truck, which is parked south of Barn 8.
  2. I put white primer on the corner post and window frame at the #1L corner.
2. Misc.:
  1. We picked up Frank’s watch.
  2. We examined the Detroit Peter Witt which had just arrived.
  3. Spoke to Doug Geren; he said the GG1 switch move would still take place this weekend....
Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16 (with Frank) [1,714 miles!]
1. Friday:
  1. We drove out to the Museum. After getting the keys from Dave Diamond, we loaded the coffin into the truck and started out at about 9:00 am.
  2. We drove to Worthington and viewed the Ohio Railway Museum. We also spoke to Mike Schreiber, who is a member and who works at the railway equipment company next door. Among other things, he said that ORM’s two CTA 4000’s are for sale, and that they would be glad to get rid of them.
  3. We then drove to Cannonsburg, Pa. for the night.
2. Saturday:
  1. From Cannonsburg we drove to Washington and visited the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (Arden).
  2. From Arden we then drove to Ft. Littleton, to check into the motel.
  3. We then drove to Mt. Union and examined the various remains of the EBT there, and then followed the line back to Orbisonia.
  4. At Orbisonia we contacted Tod Prowell and Steve Gurley. Steve helped me unload the coffin, and he put the windows into his shop storage area. The third rail beams were sitting right where the truck was unloaded, and he then helped me load them into it. Frank took pictures.
  5. We then looked at the 315, and pretty much everything else in the electric collection. Later we operated the 315, and toured the EBT roundhouse and shop building. Ate at a pizza restaurant with Tod, and then returned to Ft. Littleton.
3. Sunday:
  1. From Ft. Littleton we drove to Chippewa Lake and found the location of the Northern Ohio Railway Museum; we examined the entire collection.
  2. We then drove to Olmsted Falls and examined the Brookins collection. Spoke to Cliff Perry and others.
  3. Returned to Elmhurst for the night.
  4. I returned the truck to the Museum on Monday morning, and Bob Bruneau and I unloaded the third rail beams.
Saturday, August 22 (with Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen)
1. 266:
  1. Esther and Mary Ellen did some sweeping, and cleaned most of the windows.
  2. I revised the temporary AC lighting system.
  3. We looked for traces of the numbers, particularly the 205 from the IR, but with little success.
  4. We took home a number roll sign box to be cleaned and fixed.
2. Misc.:
  1. I spoke to Jim Johnson and Bob Olson about switching the GG1. This is currently on hold until the track switch at the entrance to Barn 9 can be fixed.
  2. Jim thought that getting new glass globes cast would be very expensive. He did not have any particular firm to recommend.
Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30 (with Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen) [1,310 miles]
1. Thursday:
We drove to Minneapolis.
1. Friday:
  1. We investigated the Minnesota Commercial Railroad and other sites for possible Museum acquisitions.
  2. We then drove to the Lake Harriet carbarn, but none of the people we wanted to talk to were there. Made an appointment to talk to George Isaacs the next day.
2. Saturday:
  1. We went back to the Lake Harriet carbarn site and toured the facilities with George Isaacs and the other workers there.
  2. From there we then drove to Excelsior. We looked at the MTM trackage and carbarn, which was under construction.
  3. Osceola has a Lackawanna MU car, which Frank added to his roster.
  4. We visited the Jackson St. Roundhouse; Eric Hopp gave us a very complete tour. We discussed the identification of wood cars; in particular, they have an old wooden coach whose builder and date are unknown, and we talked about how to find the order number and so on.
3. Sunday:
  1. We drove to Clear Lake, Iowa, and studied the collection and operations of the Iowa Trolley Park. We then followed the route of the Iowa Terminal into Mason City, and photographed the three B-W locomotives which were parked outside.
  2. Returned to Elmhurst for the night.
Sunday, September 6 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I mounted the new third rail beam on the #1 truck, a major job:
    1. It took a while to find the right bolts, which are ¾” by 6” with square heads. We needed to use wire brushing and taps and dies to get the rusty old nuts and bolts to work properly. I was helped by Bob Bruneau; he also said he would order four new ones from the supply company for use in installing the other beam.
    2. Frank helped with moving the jack and moving the beam into place for mounting.
    3. I cut out three pieces of ½” thick wood as replacements for the corrugated metal plates which should be placed between the beam and the corrugated bracket. They work well, but need to be painted. I also had to fabricate two new rectangular blocks to use as part of the clamp for the fuse. These I made out of steel, which is what we had available (the originals are brass). The cable is now connected on this truck, but still needs a cable clamp. I also need to get a hose and fittings for the sleet scraper.
    4. Incidentally, I need to look at pictures to determine the proper way of installing the bolts. On the 309 all of the bolts have the bolt head on the outside, with the nut behind the bracket, and offhand I would think this is the best way to do it. However, on the 431 the nuts are on the outside, with the bolt head behind the bracket. I don’t know whether either of these cars had the beams removed and replaced since they left Wheaton. For what it’s worth, the 308 has all of its bolts with the nut on the outside (one side was left in place when it was moved from Noblesville.) I also note that the south side of the 321 has bolts that are too small. (I installed these in 1979).
    5. Note: Later, Frank and I looked at the available pictures and concluded that 1) on the 321 the bolts should have the nuts facing out, 2) on the 309 the heads should be facing out (as they are), and 3) on the 308 the nuts should be facing out (as they are). The bolts I just installed on the 321 can be changed easily enough. We couldn’t find good enough pictures of the 431; it’s presumably OK as is.
  2. I sanded down the metal plate on the #1 end, in preparation for white primer.
  3. Spoke to Fred Perry, who is now working on the 320 at Mt. Pleasant. He took some pictures of the vestibule and other parts of the car.
2. Misc.:
  1. Frank mostly worked on various displays. I helped by cutting out some pieces of Masonite as backing for the laminated display sheets. His latest pictures elicited many favorable comments, and he has submitted at least one to Pete Charnon for possible use as postcards.
  2. Frank got to ride two trolley buses which were being operated for the first time, from Des Moines and from Milwaukee, I believe.
  3. Last week I called Bob Bruneau about getting the 309’s headlight from Bob Rayunec. Nothing has happened yet....
Saturday, September 12 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. I received the four new bolts and installed the third rail beam on the #2 end, helped by Frank.
  2. I sanded down all of the siding in the T - 14 sectors on the north side, including the letterboard and the molding below the window sill.
  3. I painted the metal plate on the #1 end and the rest of the letterboard on the north side with white primer. I also finished the parts of the #1 end that will need to be white.
  4. Frank wire-brushed the reverser covers; we later moved these back to the car, where he painted them with primer.
  5. He also wire-brushed the west half of the south truss rod, as well as the queen post and needle beam; these he also later painted with primer.
2. Misc.:
  1. Frank looked at pictures with Bill Wulfert.
  2. We went to the Board meeting.
Sunday, September 13
1. 321:
  1. I painted all of the siding in the T - 14 sectors on the north side with brown primer, as well as the #1 end siding on the #1R corner (what’s left of it....). All of the blue paint has now been covered up, except for the #2R side door and some of the vestibule interiors.
  2. I sanded down and painted the #1 end train door with brown primer.
  3. I put some more brown primer on the #2L corner where it extends past the door lintel.
  4. I painted the siding below the belt rail, sectors 1-2, with maroon. I also touched up the window tracks and various parts with maroon. This includes the maroon parts of the body post and the sections over the door, thus completing this corner of the car with the correct finish colors.
  5. I looked at the buzzer system. The interrupter needs to be examined in the shop, using my VOM. The old megger does not work very well, due to bad internal contacts, I should think.
  6. Miscellaneous cleaning and straightening inside the car.
2. Misc.:
I asked Bob Bruneau about the PCCs.
Friday, September 18
1. 321:
  1. I sanded the #2R side door and the #2 train door. Then I painted both train doors and the #2R side door with the tan paint. It appeared that all of the blue paint had now been covered up, except for some of the vestibule interiors.
  2. I rigged up a panic cord in the 321, using the old clothesline that had once been the 309’s buzzer cord. Because some of the hardware is missing, it’s not a final installation.
  3. I put black paint on the truss rod and reverser cover on the sidewalk side, using spray paint cans.
Sunday, September 20 (with Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen)
1. 321:
  1. Esther and Mary Ellen did a lot of window cleaning, mostly at the #2 end.
  2. Mary Ellen and I painted the #1 end with white primer around the #1R window frame, what’s left of it, where the green was still apparent, and also on the door post, which was painted in brown primer.
  3. Frank went around and did the various grab irons and other hardware on the ends and side doors that needed to be black, using the standard gloss black and a brush. He also touched up the underbody equipment. Also, I removed the bus jumper so Frank could paint the cover black. Now all of the blue is gone, I think....
2. Misc.:
  1. Frank looked at pictures with Bob Bruneau, and talked about the PCCs.
  2. Bob Bruneau spoke to Bob Rayunec last week; the 309’s headlight is still in pieces, but he agreed to bring the pieces out so they can be reassembled.
  3. Frank Sirinek was showing some people around, so I let them into the 309.
Saturday, September 26 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Checked lubrication of the compressor and the main journals. Compressor sump needed about two gills.
  2. Operated in revenue service for Member’s Day, trained with the 321. 309 running on two motors, 321 on four. Steve Jirsa was the conductor. One carline trip and three mainline trips. No operational problems were encountered and everything went well.
  3. However, I did manage to cut my finger on the sharp edge of an exposed screw which holds the door knob on the #2L door - this needs to be fixed. At least it was me and not a visitor.
2. 321:
  1. Checked lubrication of the compressor and the main journals (helped by Steve). Compressor sump needed about a gill. As usual, the three journals still equipped with waste needed more oil.
  2. Operated in revenue service for Member’s Day, trained with the 309. Frank was the conductor on this car, and operated part of two trips. No problems were encountered and everything went well; we even have less tar paper to remove. One carline trip and three mainline trips.
  3. Received the bag of twelve new nuts and bolts for the third rail beams from George.
3. Misc.:
  1. Visited with various people, rode the trolley buses, etc. I wanted to ask Jim Johnson about the 308, but he was in Chicago disassembling a bridge.
  2. Frank Sirinek was serving coffee and cake at the 141; we got to operate the Rube Goldberg fare register system.
  3. Spoke to Bob Rayunec, who said he would bring the headlight out sometime.
Sunday, October 4 (with Frank)
1. 309:
After doing the 321, I started checking bolts on the third rail beams; the first one I came to, #2R, had both bolts loose at one end. I raised this end with the jack and tightened one bolt. The other bolt has no lock washer, so I need to find some more hardware.
1. 321:
  1. I replaced the bolts for the #1R third rail beam, a bigger job than I expected. Checked that all bolts on this side are tight.
  2. Frank did quite a bit of grinding on the journal box covers and other underbody equipment on the sidewalk side of the car; I helped. I removed the electrical tape which was wrapped around the truss rod below the fuse box. Here I found a circular mark which clearly indicates that the fuse did indeed draw an arc to the truss rod at some point before they installed the tape. I plan to take a picture of this before painting and retaping the truss rod. (There was nothing like this on the 309, since the fuse box is located behind the truss rod, not above it.)
  3. Frank painted the two journal box lids on the #2 truck, and the conduit for the third rail connection, with brown primer.
  4. Headlight circuit: I opened up the resistor box; two tubes appear to be OK, the other three have broken wires. Also, the box itself has a hole rusted through the plate. Bob let me get a similar unit from the field. I started to disassemble it, but not yet done. Stored under the 306.
2. Misc.:
  1. We looked at the new bridges which Johnson and Co. had deposited over by Yard 10.
  2. Latest Rail & Wire has the “family affair” article; Frank picked up about 10 copies.
Saturday, October 24 (with Frank)
1. 309:
Bob Rayunec brought out the 309’s headlight. I examined the parts, but have done nothing yet on reassembling it.
1. 321:
  1. I sanded down all of the wood for the window tracks and all molding strips in sectors 23-28, and the surfaces of the exterior windows. Later Frank and I took turns painting all of this with brown primer, thus eliminating all grey in these sectors. This improves the appearance greatly.
  2. Later, Frank painted the two journal box lids on the #2 truck and the conduit for the third rail connection black.
2. Misc.:
  1. We helped Jim Johnson on track work in Yard 10, bolting together about 200’ on track 104.
  2. Jim said that he was not in charge of the 308, and that it was up to Bruneau. However, he would like to see it painted.
  3. Frank also helped the trolley bus guys move some parts. He also got to ride the 972 (for about a hundred feet). Bill Wulfert gave him several rosters, including one from John Smatlak.
Tuesday, November 3
1. 321:
  1. I made a total of 16 pieces for the posts between the double windows; not yet painted. These are stored in the “clean room”. I also started making the belt rail sections for 25-28.
  2. Opened the drain cocks, at Bob’s request.
  3. I got the headlight resistor box from the 318 opened; it appears that two of the resistors still have complete wire, but the asbestos strings which are supposed to hold them together are all very rotted out in this box. Pretty disgusting. Stored back under the 306.
2. 309:
Opened the drain cocks.
1. 308:
  1. I started stripping paint again. In spite of the poor condition of the paint job, this will take longer than I would like. I removed paint from the #1 sector corner, including much of the corner post and part of the door. Later, because the light was fading, I started on the other corner (28), which is near the barn’s side door. Used Frank’s extension cord for the 4001.
  2. I need to get a metal ladder from the field, and provide better lighting.
  3. I decided that IMOTAC did not in fact paint the car without primer. They used a white primer which wasn’t very good, and flaked off in many places. The first complete painting at Noblesville was probably done well, but there was also some later touch-up which was done in a very slapdash manner. Also, holes in the belt rail were filled with some sort of putty which is just garbage (maybe Play-Doh?). Still, the wood on the whole is in excellent condition.
2. Misc.:
Bruneau wants Frank to letter the north side of the 213, which Jim Blower has finished painting, so he gave me the stencils to put into the 321. He was working on the 972.
Wednesday, November 11 (with Frank)
1. 213:
Frank did all of the remaining lettering on the north side of this car: four numbers plus the North Shore emblem. He also edged the last number on the M1.
1. 308:
  1. I stripped all of the paint below the window sill in sectors 25-28, plus some of the parts between the windows. Need to remove the windows here before doing more, to avoid breaking the glass.
  2. Windows are painted shut in many places. With some work, I was able to free up window 28. Not yet removed, as I need to get some 321I’s or something to use as replacements.
  3. I also found that with the heat gun it will be easy to remove all of the paint from the side sill, at least down to the Pullman Green, which will supply a smooth and permanent (reliable) surface. This needs to be considered.
2. Misc.:
  1. Showed the 308 to Elmer Passow and a friend of his.
  2. Spoke to Bob Kutella about working on the vestibule. Need to speak to Jim Johnson about this.
Sunday, November 22 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I stripped more paint from the south side of the car, including the letterboard from the #2 end as far as the H in Chicago (about window 26). Also a little more below the belt rail, and the double window post between 24 and 25. I borrowed a ladder from Jim Blower.
  2. We started making measurements for the first Masonite panel to close off the #2 end. However, my jig saw blade broke, so little was accomplished.
  3. I removed the six trolley boards from the car, and put them on the two saw horses in the aisle. Frank painted the bottom surfaces with Rustoleum primer.
2. D22:
Frank traced out the lettering (T.M.E.R.& T.CO.”) on the south side of this car, then did about half of the letters (up to the ampersand) before it got too dark. Bruneau still needs to make a “D22” stencil.
1. Misc.:
Frank painted some more of the scaffold blue.
Friday, December 4
1. 308:
  1. I stripped the paint from the letterboard and all of the siding below it but above the window sill as far as sector 20 (up to the final A in AURORA). Note that above the window sill I generally get down to bare wood (occasionally brown primer or various finish colors are in the grain in small spots), but below the window sill almost all the wood has a light blue color in the grain; I’m not sure why. There seem to be differences between the way the two sides of the car were painted at Noblesville, but it’s hardly worth while trying to figure it all out.
  2. I got a step ladder from Barn 7; now stored underneath the 308.
2. 309:
As a test, I started stripping paint from the side sill of the 309 at sector 21. This seemed to work pretty well; some wire brushing will be required. In 15 minutes or so I did about a foot. I am doing only the bottom flange and the web, not the top flange; this would be too hard, can’t be seen, and would probably wreck the paint on the lower parts of the siding.

History: Barb needle-chipped the whole sill on the “R” side, and half of the sill on the “L” side, about sectors 15-20, but this project stopped in 1977. This left half the sill still in red (which had turned pink), and in preparation for the 1978 ARM convention, I quickly painted this part blue without any surface prep. This job has never been finished.
On the 308, when I used the heat gun, the more-or-less bare metal still had traces of Pullman Green, which is what I would have expected. On the 309, however, this process results in 1930’s maroon.

Misc.:
1. I brought the 321’s triple valve from home, as well as some wood that had been stored in my garage, and put them in the 321.

Wednesday, December 9
1. 308:
  1. I stripped the paint from the letterboard and all of the siding below it but above the window sill as far as sector 17 (up to the G in ELGIN). This includes the two wide window posts 18-18A and 18A-19.
  2. I did some sorting of parts inside the car; the two remaining Masonite panels were removed and leaned against the car in the aisle. Took some unwanted parts to the shop.
  3. I trimmed the stick which holds the two side doors at the #1 end, then cut it in half and installed a hinge, as I did for the 309.
Saturday, December 12 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I stripped the paint from the letterboard and all of the siding below it but above the window sill in sectors 16 and 17, and the double window post between 16 and 17.
  2. Frank painted the top surfaces of the trolley boards with Rustoleum primer.
2. Misc.:
  1. We looked at the steam locomotives in Barn 9 and the yard leads, and toured a little of the material yard.
  2. Frank spoke to Joe Reuter and others in the office.
Saturday, December 19 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I stripped the paint from the letterboard and all of the siding below it but above the window sill in sector 15, and started on the body post to the right of window 15.
  2. Frank painted the top surfaces of the center two trolley boards with Pewter Grey. I need to get a new gallon.
  3. I made a temporary plywood floor for the #2 platform; it needs to be beefed up some more. Helped a little by Tim Peters and Rich Block.
2. 321:
Frank painted the molding pieces which I made on Nov. 3rd with primer on both sides.
1. Misc.:
  1. We looked at the newly arrived North Western bilevels, and the old Milwaukee bus which Jerry and his friends were in the process of scrapping.
  2. Frank spoke to Bill Wulfert and others.

Hicks Car Works

Saturday, January 1, 2022

1998 IRM Journal

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