Hicks Car Works: 1999 IRM Journal

1999

Sunday, January 17 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I cut out the first piece of Masonite, which will go at the #2R corner (motorman’s side). We then took it to the shop, where Frank started painting it; a first coat of red around the window, and a first coat of white to represent the folding sign. Second coats will be needed in both cases, and we now think the next panels should get a coat of primer to start with, to reduce the labor if nothing else.
  2. I did more paint stripping: finished the letterboard and worked around the end door at the #1 end. I later removed the windows at sectors 15 and 16 (numbered 1 and 2), and these were taken home for repainting. I was then able to finish paint stripping around the windows. Then 318/321 spares were put in the slots.
  3. Frank helped me with raising the two middle trolley boards to the roof (first onto the PCC, then to the 308.) Not yet fastened down. I looked for the fuse box but could not find it. Also, I asked Bruneau about leather straps; he’ll look into it.
  4. Frank mounted two baggage racks, #2 and #13. Need more screws.
  5. Frank took an empty window frame, #4 (slot 18) to the shop. Bruneau was going to help him epoxy it, but there wasn’t enough room.
2. Misc.:

Could not find the set of folding signs which were mounted on the #2 end of the 321.

Saturday, February 6 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank put a second coat of red and white on the Masonite panel in the shop.
  2. I did more paint stripping: started on the letterboard at the #1R corner and worked up to the middle of sector 12, including everything above the belt rail.
  3. Bruneau (evidently) found the fuse box and put it inside the car. Luckily, includes the mounting screws. I scraped and sanded off all of the loose paint; can be painted with primer and Glyptol next time. He also dropped off a sample leather strap.
2. 321:
  1. Frank painted the number “321” below window 2.
  2. We installed the first of the parlor car seats in the main compartment; also, I brought out the polished controller handle and put it in the locker.
3. 2872:

Frank outlined the letterboard lettering for painting next time. Bill Wulfert is not sure of the correct color to use for lettering, however.

Misc.:
1. Frank spoke to the trolley bus guys; we looked at the new work train cars, etc.
2. Took the (Rayunec) headlight to Naperville for reassembly.
3. Bill Wulfert had several documents for Frank.
4. Spoke to Ray Pieschuk and Joe Reuter about the 4001 model from Russia.

Saturday, February 20 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank put a coat of black on the Masonite panel in the shop.
  2. I did some more paint stripping in the #1R area; also, some more of the letterboard and the siding above the windows. Hampered by poor lighting.
  3. We painted the fuse box on the outside with the usual Rustoleum primer; the inside got a coat of clear Glyptol.
  4. We put some epoxy on the blank window frame (#4, slot 18) which was already in the paint room.
2. 321:

We installed the second parlor car chair in the main compartment, as well as the wooden Shafer chair.

Misc.:
1. I spoke to Bob Rayunec about the headlight (I need the bracket from which the headlight hangs); he said he’d look for it.
2. Bill Wulfert had some more documents for Frank.

Sunday, February 21 (with Frank)
1. 308:

Took home a can of Fleet Grey for finishing the two window frames currently at Elmhurst (#1 and #2).

Misc.:
1. Returned the Rustoleum primer and gloss black to Naperville for painting the headlight.
2. I examined the 309’s headlight; this revealed the correct method of mounting the reflector.
3. We attended the mid-winter soiree at Donley’s.

Saturday, February 27 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank painted the remaining four trolley boards with Pewter Grey.
  2. I made a second pass at stripping paint from sectors 27-28 and the end door, then sanded them down by hand.
  3. Frank painted the siding below the windows with primer, sectors 27-28. I then did above the belt rail, including the letterboard, from the end to sector 28.
  4. In the paint room, Frank painted the fuse box with gloss black.
2. 321:

Frank painted both of the new third rail beams with primer. (wood only)

Misc.:
1. Submitted the article on our trip to Pennsylvania last August to various people.
2. Did some straightening and sorting in the container.

Saturday, March 13 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. We raised the remaining four trolley boards to the roof, and I started installing the screws.
  2. I installed the repainted fuse box, and attached the leads from the roof cables.
  3. Frank started wire wheeling paint off the end plate at the #1 end; he did the left side as far as the anticlimber.
  4. I took home the four window shade tracks from sectors 15-16 to be refinished.
  5. I took some pictures of the car, mostly interior, for the next Rail & Wire article.
2. 321:
  1. Frank edged the number '321' below window 2 with black.
  2. He also painted both of the new third rail beams with gloss black. (wood only)
3. Misc.:

Cleaned up everything in the south aisle of Barn 8; the two remaining Masonite panels are against the barn wall.

Monday, March 22
1. 308:
  1. I stripped paint from the #1 end around the end windows and the side doors. This is very time-consuming.
  2. I measured the rope guards on the 309 so Bruneau can check on finding new ones for the 308: they are exactly 1" wide.
  3. We looked at the trolley bases. On one of them, one of the machine screws that holds the cable lead was broken off in the hole; fortunately, there are two mounting tabs on the base, and I cleaned out the holes of the other one. Bruneau gave me a replacement screw. I also loosened the main adjusting bolts; they are still coated with tar, and Frank can clean them up next time. We discussed ways of lifting them to the roof.
  4. I made a diagram of the trolley hook with all measurements and gave it to Bob.
  5. I started removing the window shade tracks from window 18A, but so far the left track cannot be pried out. Window may not match the others exactly, but should be close; can't be sure until it is stripped.
  6. I worked on the controller. One machine screw that holds the top of the controller finally broke off, and will have to be drilled out. Meanwhile, I have the top mounted. The handle that was at the #1 end is missing its levers, so it can't be used; I installed the handle from the #2 end instead, since we won't be needing it for a while. I got the throttle plunger to operate, and it looks like everything mechanical will be OK.
2. Misc.:
  1. Cleaned up all old pop cans and cups.
  2. Next time we should remove all of the car cards and take them home for pressing and safekeeping.
  3. I discovered that the number was still partly preserved on the #1 end; still have part of the 0 and all of the 8. Should be traced, then sanded down some more.

Saturday, March 27 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I removed the window at sector 18A, and then completed stripping the paint around it, as well as the belt rail. I also did sectors 17 and 18. I notice that the window shade tracks for this window are stamped with the curious label "IV 1/H", which means 4½, I suppose.
  2. Refinished windows installed at 15 and 16.
  3. Frank painted the Masonite panel blue.
  4. I removed both of the adjusting screws for the trolley bases, then Frank cleaned them up and put them back.
  5. I tried removing most of the remaining car cards. Generally, they are very brittle, and a couple of them broke in two lengthwise. Taken home for preservation.
2. D22:

Frank lettered the name on the south side of the car.

Misc.:

Bruneau still needs to make a “D22” stencil. . . .

Thursday, April 1 (with Frank) [340 miles]
1. Misc.:
  1. Frank and I drove to Green Bay to visit the National Railroad Museum and examine the Hicks cars there in particular.
  2. On the way back, we also drove by the Trolley 86 operation in Appleton.

Saturday, May 8 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Did some paint stripping below the belt rail at sector 14.
  2. Frank traced the number on the #1 end.
2. 309:

I worked on stripping paint from the side sill; finished sectors 21-24.

Note: I noticed that while the side sill on the "R" side has the word "Illinois" (for Illinois Steel, I suppose) cast into it about every ten feet, it doesn't appear on the "L" side at all. Evidently the two side sills were just pulled off a flat car together and mounted on horses so construction could begin immediately. I should look at the inside of the sill sometime with a droplight.

321:

Frank cleaned rust and dirt from the trucks on the sidewalk side.

Misc.:
1. Somebody (later revealed to be Bob Bruneau) disassembled the scaffold which was between the 321 and the 354. This is in preparation for switching out the 354.
2. Frank lettered the tool tray for "Hicks Locomotive and Car Works". It was then put in the 321.
3. I dropped off several parts at the container, also helped Bill and Pete with unloading.
4. Saw the recently arrived Rock Island Pacific, new switches on the car line.
5. Visited the trolley bus barn.

Sunday, May 23 (with Frank and Chris Nanak)
1. 308:
  1. Bruneau gave me the roll of leather strap that I had ordered.
  2. Refinished window shade tracks for windows 15 and 16 were brought out, not fastened in with screws.
  3. Took home window 18A and its window shade tracks for refinishing.
2. 309:
  1. I nearly finished stripping paint from the side sill; finished sectors 25-27. Frank also did wire-wheeling on the stripped sections, and finished off sectors 21 to 24.
  2. I removed the adapter coupler again and dropped it on the ground. One of these days I'll drop it on my foot, but not yet.
3. Misc.:
  1. We reassembled the scaffold with Chris Nanak's help, including the newly lettered tool tray.
  2. Cleaning in the center aisle of the barn 7; I threw out a couple of cans worth of junk. I also removed all of my parts from the aisle, including two Jewett trap doors, and took them to the container, helped again by Chris. I sorted parts in the container while they toured yard 10.
  3. Frank brought out display pages for the CSL 460 and Knoxville 419 and installed them.

Monday, May 31 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. We spoke to Keith Bray, who is now working on the 320 at Mt. Pleasant. We discussed matching Pullman Green, the color of the doors and windows, and the ceiling color. We looked at the ceiling of the 321, and I pointed out what I thought was the original yellow. We also noted (something I had sort of forgotten) that the rebuilt ceiling was originally painted yellow also, so this is probably the color we will want for the 1930's paint scheme. We will do some more stripping, have the yellow matched for our own use, and send him the formula.
  2. I found the new sander again; it was sitting on the floor of the #1 vestibule (sound of hand slapping forehead).
  3. I did some straightening and cleaning, in preparation for operating on July 4^th.
2. 308:
  1. I installed some more screws in the trolley boards.
  2. I started fastening the roof cables with leather straps. This seems to work well and went quickly. The hardest part seemed to be cutting the new leather to length, which I did in the shop with tin snips. I checked that the nails hold well, unless of course they are driven into checks in the old wood. This indicates that I ought to do the 309 sometime soon.
3. 309:

Looked at the roof; checked that the roof fuse box has only a single fuse. I believe it has always been this way.

Misc.:
1. Rode the trolley bus, looked at the newly arrived F units, etc.
2. We discussed pulling the M1 out for pictures, but it was raining intermittently throughout the day.

Thursday, June 10 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. It was too hot to work on the roof, so:
  2. I stripped paint from the siding below the belt rail in sectors 24-21.
  3. I sanded down the siding below the belt rail in sectors 26 to 22.
2. 309:

I finished removing paint from the side sill.

321:
1. We applied Bondo to various holes and defects in the siding below the belt rail on the 15-28 side. They were then sanded down and Frank painted them with primer.
2. We then started painting this side with maroon. We did the siding below the belt rail between the two queen posts (roughly 21-23) so that next time we can paint the black background for the Sunset Lines herald (by July 4, we hope). We also did all of the siding and trim above the belt rail in sector 27-28, including the storm windows and the lintel over the door to the corner post, and below the belt rail in sector 28 only (because there was some wet primer in sector 27).
Misc.:

We watched the construction of the new bus barn, which was proceeding rapidly, and the new foundation for the diner.

Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day, with Maggie, Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen)
1. 321:
  1. We went to Relic to talk to Don McCorquodale. We gave him the formulas for the maroon paint scheme, and showed him the paint sticks.
  2. We also talked about glass globes.
2. Misc.:

Substation was down; the 715 was being pulled by a Diesel. The mail car had been pulled out for pictures.

Wednesday, June 23 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Frank got the big wire wheel from Bruneau, then completed cleaning off the side sill, about sectors 25-28.
  2. He later painted the stripped half of the sill with primer.
2. 321:
  1. I put a first coat of cream paint on the metal plate over the #2 end.
  2. We continued painting the siding below the belt rail with finish maroon, and completed the "L" side, roughly sectors 23-27 and 15-20.
  3. I painted the background for the Sunset Lines herald with gloss black.
  4. I also painted gloss black on the section of the truss rod which will be covered with electrical tape.
  5. Frank repainted the number '321' at sector 2 with the new metallic gold, which is what we decided the numbering should be in this paint scheme. It looks very good. It will undoubtedly provide a better contrast with the cream letterboard, as we surmised from pictures. The outlining around the numbers here needs to be redone. The Sunset Lines herald will also be lettered with metallic gold; of course, no outlining will be necessary (or possible) as it's painted on a black background.
3. Misc.:
  1. Frank installed new laminated display sheets on the CSL 144, Detroit 3685, KCPS 755, and IRR 65.
  2. I returned various department tools to Bruneau from the roof of the 308.

Saturday, June 26 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. Frank painted the 21-28 half of the side sill with blue.
  2. I lubricated all main journals and the compressor.
2. 321:
  1. Frank and I did the layout, then Frank painted both numbers and the complete Sunset Lines herald on the 15-28 side, using the metallic gold paint. Results were excellent.
  2. I redid the black outlining around the number at sector 2 with a 1/8" brush; the thicker lines look much better.
  3. We painted all of the siding, trim, and storm windows above the belt rail in sector 25-26 with maroon.
  4. Frank also painted maroon on the #2 end of the car, both sides. I helped with the edging. This is another big improvement.
  5. I put electrical tape on the truss rod under the fuse box.
  6. I lubricated all main journals and the compressor.
3. Misc.:
  1. We brought out the newly completed display board for the D22. However, only Bruneau has the key to this car, so the board could not be mounted. Stored in the 321.
  2. We visited the 3142, which had just been returned to operation, and the new Pennsy sleeper, #3345.

Sunday, July 4 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. I moved the jack and repositioned the third rail beam at the #2R corner. Too hot to do much heavy lifting.
  2. Operated one trip around the car line for the Trolley Pageant, with the 321. No problems. Took several pictures.
2. 321:
  1. Operated one trip around the car line. When putting the train away, we were able to put the car stop back in position.
  2. Started removing the rusted out wood screws from the end plate at the #2 end, in preparation for piecing in new wood.
3. Misc.:
  1. We attached the newly completed display board for the D22 to the car.
  2. Took home the extra set of folding signs in order to get reproductions made; also primer and Bondo for the 308 windows.

Sunday, July 11 (with Frank)
1. 308:

I found the can of Fleet Grey in the container and took it home for painting windows.

309:

We collected the whistles from both cars and put them in the locker..

Misc.:

We examined the McKeen baggage car which had just arrived.

Friday, July 16
1. 308:
  1. I stripped and sanded down the siding below the belt rail in sectors 18½ to 20.
  2. I removed the window at 20 and took it home for rebuilding.
2. Misc.:
  1. I moved the scaffolding onto the track between the 321 and the Detroit car. I mounted the power strip on the tool tray.
  2. Went for a ride on the 415.

Wednesday, July 21 (with Frank)
1. 308:

I did some more paint stripping below the belt rail in sectors 1 and 2 (due to Frank’s use of the extension cords)

321:

Frank painted the number on the #2 end.

Misc.:
1. We both painted parts of the scaffold Hicksco blue.
2. We moved the display board (made by Opal, perhaps?) from one end of the 218 to the other, at Bruneau’s request.
3. Harold Driscoll wants to talk to Frank about using some of our display material for the Internet, Bob thinks.

Sunday, July 24 (with Frank, Esther, and Mary Ellen)
1. 309/321:

While trying to move the 4391 out of the way so we could run the two-car train, the pole bent while backpoling, then broke. I spent the rest of the day fixing it, helped greatly by Ed Woytula and Bob Heinlein.

Sunday, August 1 (with Frank)
1. 309:

I installed the two vertical trim pieces inside the toilet, and attached the strike plate.

Misc.:

We had a cookout at Electric Park. Attendees: Dave Shore, Joe Reuter, Andy Sunderland, Norm Krentel, Bob Bruneau, Doug Geren, Charlie King, etc.

Tuesday, August 3
1. 309:

I retrieved my toolbox, which I had left on the platform on Sunday.

308:
1. I brought out refinished window 18½ and its window shade tracks, and put them in place.
2. I moved a pile of seat cushions, then removed the window shade tracks at window 19 and took home window 19, plus the tracks for both 19 and 20.

Tuesday, August 10
1. 308:
  1. I stripped paint from below the belt rail at sectors 15-18, and did more sanding.
  2. I finally got the #2 contactor box open. All contactors appear to work properly, although one of the interlocks may need adjustment.

Wednesday, August 11
1. 308:
  1. I stripped paint from below the belt rail at sectors 11-14, as well as above the belt rail on this side.
  2. I meggered the compressor armature again, and it still appeared to be a dead short. Bruneau and I found a D3-EG from the CTA which appears to be good; at least, the armature meggers at least 20 M. We need to test this for actually pumping air at the test station in Barn 4, and then we can install it in place of the D3-F currently on the car.

Thursday, August 12
1. 308:
  1. I stripped paint from below the belt rail at sectors 9-10 1/2, and sanded down the siding thoroughly in sectors 11-14.
  2. I sorted through the stockpile of gladhands and hoses, and picked out some replacements.
2. Misc.:

I helped set up a snow fence to provide crowd control for the Thomas weekend, which starts tomorrow.

Sunday, August 15 (with Frank)
1. 309:
  1. I removed the 318E which had been installed at sector 10, since it had started to come apart, and replaced it with a spare 309E which was already refinished. The 309I at this location (numbered 14), has not yet been replaced.
  2. Frank and I had the car open for visitors for about two hours; a constant stream of people.
  3. We spoke to Harold Driscoll about the web material, and viewed the various Thomas activities.

Monday, August 16 (with Frank)
1. 308:

I finished sanding the 15-28 side and did most of the chamfers. Did some more paint removal along the belt rail on this side.

321:

I outlined both numbers on the sidewalk side of the car.

Misc.:

I loaned a window shade handle to Marcus Wilson to take back to Green Bay, for possible use on the LS&I car.

Tuesday, August 17 (with Frank)
1. 308:

I painted all of the siding below the belt rail with primer in sectors 15-26, as well as the siding above the belt rail in sectors 25-27. Also finished all of the chamfers on this side.

Misc.:

We went to the container, and got the PCC control handle; Frank then wire brushed it. I also picked up two or three pieces of wood from the ceiling of the 321, to be taken home and stripped for paint samples.

Sunday, August 29 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I finished stripping paint above the windows in sectors 11-13.
  2. I sanded down the siding below the belt rail in sectors 10½ -9, 1-2, and on the #1 end, as well as above the belt rail in sectors 9-14.
  3. Bruneau gave us a retriever, which I mounted on the #1 end.
2. 321:
  1. I brought out the display board; didn’t get a chance to fix it.
  2. I checked the colors on the two ceiling pieces which I had partially stripped against the good samples of paint on the bulkhead in the smoker; they match exactly, of course.
    1. There appear to be just three layers of paint on these boards: the first was a deep yellow; this must be the original (as built) ceiling color, judging from the bulkhead section. Next was a much lighter yellow, nearly cream, which is probably what we will want for the 321; finally, an off-white. This last is what I matched for the ceiling of the 309.
    2. The ceiling was probably rebuilt about 1925-1930; it appears that they painted it with the original ceiling color. I don’t know how to determine when this was changed to the lighter yellow. The final off-white presumably coincides with the pastel wall colors.
3. Misc.:
  1. Watched the painting of the GG1.
  2. I helped Frank measure a CSL trolley coach (#193) so he can draw it.
  3. Bruneau gave us a box with an M23 brake stand to take to Charlie Sheets.
  4. We discussed the new procedures to be followed when asking for corporate donations. Send a letter to our new Executive Director.

Wednesday, September 1
1. 308:
  1. Bruneau found a piece of trolley guard for the roof, which I stored on the floor of the #2 end of the 321. It’s about 8 feet long. Unfortunately, it’s perfectly straight, and may not work on the arched ends of a CA&E roof.
  2. I did some more paint stripping below the belt rail in sectors 2-3.
2. 321:
  1. I fixed the display board with Frank’s new printouts, and mounted it.
  2. I picked up the two ceiling pieces, one of which will be taken to Mt. Pleasant this weekend.
3. 4001:

Bruneau gave me the model of the 4001 which had just arrived from Russia; I took it back to Elmhurst and gave it to Frank.

Misc.:

504 has been moved out of Barn 4 (to track 61); 229 is now in the scaffold slot for tarpaper repairs. This is not expected to take long (to be finished by Members’ Day), so 308 should still be moved into Barn 4 by the end of September. I need to check that nothing will break if the car is moved.

Saturday, September 4 (with Frank) [485 miles]
1. 321:
  1. We drove to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa for the Threshers’ Reunion. Spoke to George Crawley and Fred Perry. I gave them a piece of the 321’s ceiling to use for matching paint. They have decided to paint the car maroon.
  2. I finally met Peter Weller; he gave me an autographed copy of the Living Legacy book which had just come from the printer.

Sunday, September 5 (with Frank)
1. 321:
  1. Spoke to Keith Bray and George about more restoration details.
  2. Met Fred Stark, the co-author of the new book.

Saturday, September 11 (with Frank) [565 miles]
1. Misc.:
  1. We drove to Grand Rapids, Ohio, to exchange parts with Charlie Sheets. We gave him an M23 brake stand and received in return a whole trunkful of cast iron parts, plus two boxes of light bulbs. Most of this material is for steam locomotives, I believe. Charlie also gave us a tour of the collection.
  2. On the way, we also viewed the South Shore cars in Chesterton, the TLE&W tourist line, and the GG1 in Elkhart.

Wednesday, September 15
1. 308:
  1. I checked and arranged everything inside the 308 so it is ready to move.
  2. I finished stripping the paint below the belt rail in sector 3.
2. Misc.:

I dropped off all of the parts we received from Charlie Sheets, including two boxes of steam locomotive parts and the light bulbs which I took over to the Steam Shop and gave to Tom Schneider. Bob was very glad to find some parts for the C&LE 640.

Tuesday, September 28
1. 308:
  1. I made a jumper pole to provide DC power to the wire over track 84, and with some readjustment, it worked. I brought the homemade stinger over from the 321 and had the lights on in the 308 for the first time in about two years.
  2. I sorted parts inside the car, and took inventory of the window shades:

For the motorman’s end windows there is one installed at the #1 end, which won’t unroll, and one in poor condition for the #2 end. For the vertical shades across the sliding bulkhead doors there is one in excellent condition and another in fair condition; both unroll! I could not find any shades for the bulkhead windows. There is also what must be a spare for the end window of some other car. I need about ten more standard window shades for the car, mostly in the smoker.

Started installing baggage racks, mostly to get them out of the way, with three or four screws apiece. Installed 3 to 7 and 10 to 12. Left to do: 1, 8, 9, and 14. Probably all of the mounting screws should be round head (generally 1¼” #10).
I finally discovered where the fire extinguisher was located: on the corner of the toilet bulkhead near window 11. As it happens, the bracket that came with the Pyrene extinguisher I bought at a garage sale for $5 has holes that match the holes in the wall exactly, so I mounted it. Still not sure about the location of the elevated license.

Misc.:

Frank Sirinek and Mike Stauber were working in the 141.

Thursday, October 7
1. 308:
  1. For some reason the DC lighting would not work; evidently the main 600V supply was off.
  2. I unloaded most of the structural wood from the interior of the 308 and put it into my car, then took it to the container. This helps a great deal in allowing the remaining parts to be sorted.
  3. I did some more straightening and sorting inside the car. Among other things, I found a control pipe glad hand.
2. Misc.:

Frank Sirinek and Mike were working in the 141 again.

Thursday, October 21
1. 308:
  1. The car was moved into Barn 4 on Monday. It is now located in the scaffold bay on track 42. Unfortunately it is too far east; it will not be possible to put boards across the #2 end without moving the car.
  2. I removed the #2 end train door from the interior and stood it up under the scaffold. I intend to move it to the container by truck sometime.
  3. I installed all of the remaining baggage racks, and put the remaining molding strips on top of them. I also put most of the remaining seat cushions in place, where it was possible. With the car lights on, it looks much closer to service.
  4. I sanded down the paint on the toilet compartment wall a little. Both the lighter green above the window sill line and the darker green below seem to be single coats. They may have been applied at the same time; it’s hard to say. The toilet door is entirely dark green. Incidentally, the taping marks are still evident at the border between the two colors.
2. Misc.:

Saw Frank Sirinek and Jim Blower.

Saturday, October 23 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank and I moved the two trolley bases by hand onto the car and put them in place. They are not yet fastened down. Frank was able to wire brush the excess paint and tar from one of them.
  2. I did some wire brushing on the metal plate over the #1 end of the car (corner 1R).
  3. Frank and I swept as much dust as we could from the entire roof. Then we painted it with the same canvas paint used on the 309. We worked from the scaffold, and the center canvas was painted more or less up to the trolley boards. Will probably need to apply some more, working from the trolley boards. We used foam paint applicators and painting went very quickly (less than an hour for the whole car.)
  4. I did a little more straightening, and put seat cushions in place so seats are available all along the 19-28 side of the car.
  5. Showed the interior to Pete Vesic, Roger Kramer, Jim Blower, and others.
2. Misc.:

Saw the new flat car which had just arrived from Green Bay. Bob Kutella was working on the 68, and let Frank blow the whistles..

Wednesday, October 27
1. 308:
  1. I finished wire-brushing the metal plate over the #1 end of the car.
  2. I did some more paint stripping on the letterboard, about sector 10. Removed the “CA” from Chicago. Unfortunately the scaffold is not at a good height for this work.
  3. Sanded down the letterboard on the other side, roughly sectors 22-25.
  4. Bruneau moved the two poles that came with the car onto the scaffolding. Unfortunately one of them is missing the shoe, and the other shoe is badly worn.
2. Misc.:

New blacktop paving around the car shop.

Sunday, October 31 (with Maggie and Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank and I painted all of the exposed tack molding with gloss black.
  2. Maggie helped me put the trolley poles on the roof (stored between the trolley boards). I also determined the size of the bolts needed to hold down the bases: ½” x 3 to 3½”.
  3. Maggie and I looked at paint and fabric samples.
2. Misc.:

We looked at progress on the diner annex and the GG1.

Wednesday, November 3
1. 308:
  1. Bruneau found the other trolley shoe and gave it to me; it’s very badly worn and needs to be built up.
  2. I started assembling nuts and bolts to attach the trolley bases; need ½” lock washers.
  3. I sanded down all the rest of the letterboard on the 15-28 side, and did all of the siding above the drip rail, including the rail itself (sectors 26-28 are already painted). Also needed to do a little more paint burning.
  4. I removed the blue tampering sign from the #2 train door, which is now stored alongside the car, and took it home for safekeeping.
  5. I gave Bruneau a sketch of the missing toilet ventilator. The hole in the wood is 6” in diameter. This is just another one of those missing parts. I plan to call Jim Johnson, then Dave Beck to find out what’s happening, if anything.
2. Misc.:

Bruneau found my keys. Thanks.

Wednesday, November 10
1. 308:
  1. The 308 has been moved into Barn 6 (track 63) temporarily. I picked up the cans of canvas paint and miscellaneous parts and moved them to the car. I also took home the can of primer and a side wall light fixture for study.
  2. I did some more paint stripping on the siding at sector 4.
2. Misc.:

The 518 was moved into the scaffold; in the process it struck the north scaffold, but the train door was not damaged.

Sunday, November 14 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. Frank put a first coat of stain on the entire #1 end bulkhead in the smoker, including the train door. This first coat looks excellent. Later, I did the inside surface of the outer bulkhead window, which cannot be easily removed.
  2. I used the ringer to check all of the side light circuits. There appears to be an open connection; all the rest are fine. Need to call IMOTAC about the sockets.
2. Misc.:

Ballasting and switching in yard 5.

Saturday, November 20 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I disconnected the air pipe from the compressor, and unbolted the compressor from the cradle. However, the bolts were left in placed so it cannot slide out if the car is moved.
    1. I now believe the compressor must have been changed out by IMOTAC. The bolts holding it to the cradle are too new to have been installed at Wheaton. Presumably they also torched the notches in the cradle.
  2. Frank and I put a first coat of stain on the smoker bulkhead, including the sliding door. The results were again excellent. For next time we need to bring the brown primer and one or more lettering brushes, so a few white filler spots can be covered.
2. Misc.:

New trolley bus from Dayton.

Sunday, December 5 (with Frank)
1. 308:
  1. I brought out some old carpet pieces and covered all of the linoleum with them.
  2. I put brown primer on all places on both smoker bulkheads where the filler was the wrong color. After a few weeks we can put on a second coat of stain and these places should match the good wood.
  3. I put a first coat of primer on the #1 end siding below the window sill, the sill, and corner posts; then the siding below the belt rail in sectors #10A to 14. It was snowing part of the day, and the temperature was near freezing. I thinned the primer, of course.
  4. Jim Meindl and Jim Nicholas visited.
2. Misc.:
  1. Frank took a whole roll of pictures of various projects, including the 763, 68, 28, 431, and 308.
  2. Jerry Kosinski has installed Frank’s displays on the South Shore cars, and complimented him.
  3. We viewed progress on the 28 and 431.

Hicks Car Works

Saturday, January 1, 2022

1999 IRM Journal

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