Saturday, January 1, 2022

2006 IRM Journal

 

2006


Frank:

Sunday, 1 January 2006:

308:

1. Mark was out today. He painted three side windows (one of them the toilet window) Fleet Grey; one was a second coat, the other two first coats. He also put a first coat of blue on the inside of the #1L side door.

2. Late yesterday, Dan Gornstein re-riveted the take-up spring for the #1 end retriever, but it broke again. He and Bruneau went and got a spare out of the Car Dept container and transferred its spring to our retriever. The retriever thus repaired, I reinstalled it on the car.

IR 205:

1. I painted the two pole base stands black.


  1. Monday, January 2 (with Frank)

    1. Misc.:

      1. Due to heavy rain, no painting. We looked at the 50, the roof of the 321, and discussed plans with Bruneau.

    2. 308:

      1. I installed the last ticket clip, at sector 10.

      2. Window #21 was finished in the shop, so I installed it in sector 6.

    3. 309:

      1. Started installing the new copper flashing I bought; did both doors at the #2 end. Appears to work well.

    4. 321:

      1. Frank painted the back of the piece of the letterboard that was in the shop.

      2. I cut grooves and routered an edge on 2x4s for patching the roof. Taken to the 321 for storage.


  1. Saturday, January 7

    1. 308:

      1. Painting the floor: I put a first coat of finish brown in sectors 6-8 and 21-23, including the foot rests. Then a second coat of primer in sectors 1-5 and 24-28.

      2. I removed the metal strip around the step well at the #2R corner and put primer on the bare wood, then reinstalled the strip, drilled holes, and installed all the screws.

      3. I developed a new method of locking the #2L door; I cut out a piece of wood to hold it shut, which is itself held in place by a bolt dropped into a hole in the floor.

      4. I was then able to install the last inside siding piece at the #2L corner.

    2. Misc.:

      1. Switching most of the day on track 83.


Frank:

Saturday, 14 January 2005

308:

1. I sanded down the #1L platform corner post, which I had previously stripped. I still need to do a little more heat-stripping, plus the pre-1950's flag bracket screw holes need to be filled before the post is primed.

2. I wire-wheeled and primed more weather stripping from the #1L side doorway.

3. I put a first coat of blue on the outside of the #1L door frame, as well as a second coat of blue on the outside of the #1L door drop sash.

4. I touched up the Fleet Grey on one of the side windows (the one that needs the corner of the inside face sanded and repainted) and also painted the window sticks for the toilet window grey. The toilet window has two coats of grey on it, but somebody put a big gash in the paint by hitting it with something! That spot will need to be sanded and re-painted grey. The third side window still in the shop, the one I partly re-stripped, was painted grey by Mark but was never sanded. So that will need to be done.

5. Paul Kattner will be out this week. I will see if I can get him to wire-wheel the interior door plate for the #1L side door. I will also see if Bruneau has ordered new steel for the bottom of that plate.


Sunday, 15 January 2005

308:

1. I reassembled the #1L side door, including installation of the drop sash and all metal parts save the interior metal sheet. Mark E. put a second coat of blue on the outside of the door. The interior doorknob needs to be reinstalled, at which point the door will be ready for hanging. Mark requested that we wait until he is present to hang the door, since he has helped on it.

2. Paul Kattner is out this week, and I asked him to wire-wheel the #1L interior door panel if he has time.

3. Bruneau ordered new steel for the bottom of the #1L interior door panel; it is at R&B in Woodstock waiting for someone to pick it up.

4. I asked Bruneau to order some small tinner's rivets for riveting together the #1L door panel; he ordered some flathead rivets with 1/8" diameter and 1/4" head diameter.

5. Mark sanded and spot-painted the toilet window sash, which had been slightly damaged. It is now ready to take over to the 308, be glazed and installed. Mark also touched up the grey paint on one of the other windows.



  1. Saturday, January 21

    1. 308:

      1. I made some 3/8” quarter rounds to attach to the #2 train door. I tried to remove the headlight bracket but none of the screws would turn, so I gave up. They can be attached without removing the bracket.

      2. I removed window #4 at sector 18 and installed the spring latch, which had been missing. The window moves up and down easily enough. Window #3 needs hardware, but there doesn’t seem to be any available.

      3. I also need good window shades for sectors 17 and 18, but none of the ones in the 321 would work. Need to go to the container. I worked for a little trying to heat one up to get it to unroll, but needs more work.

      4. Started work on attaching a metal strip to the window shade track for sector 3; should probably be taken home.

    2. 321:

      1. I brought the section of letterboard (7-10) from the shop and installed it on the car. Needs more screws; it still doesn’t sit flush with the subsiding for reasons not yet obvious. Also brought out the piece for sectors 5-6; needs to be shortened just slightly. I also noticed that the piece for sectors T – 12 is pretty bad and ought to be replaced sometime. Uggh.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Saw progress on the 141 with Dan and Frank S.


  1. Sunday, January 22

    1. 308:

      1. I measured the drip rails on the 309 and gave the measurements to Bruneau, so we can have new ones made for the 308. Also need to figure out what remains to be done on the toilet ventilator.

      2. I drilled out the holes and inserted dowels where the flag brackets used to be on the #1 end. Painted with white primer.

      3. I also stripped the old paint above the motorman’s window; this hadn’t yet been done.

      4. I painted the refinished phony first aid box with a first coat of lower green; I also recoated the main side of the smoker bulkhead door.

      5. I brought the finished toilet window frame from the shop, so it won’t be damaged. I also brought over finished window #14. I put it in sector 27 where it belongs. We still need a new window shade here also, since the old one is partly ripped. I removed window #23 at sector 27; this will be installed in sector 8.

      6. Started trimming and fitting the quarter rounds for the train door; did one side. Not yet painted or installed.


  1. Tuesday, January 24

    1. 308:

      1. Sorting of parts in the 321.

      2. I ground off the rivets holding the metal door plate together, and removed the rusted out portion. Saved for measurements.

  1. Saturday, January 28 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. We went to the container, dropped off some defective window shades and parts, and selected five new good ones.

      2. I installed the flag brackets at the #1 end.

      3. I installed new window shades in sectors 17, 18, and 27; removed defective ones at sectors 17 and 27 first.

      4. Frank installed the plate glass in the toilet window frame. Ready for a final coat of grey.

      5. He drilled holes in the new plate for the side door in the shop.

      6. Window #23 installed at sector 8. Shade tracks in sector 7 taken to the shop for repainting. Shade track for 17 brought out but not installed.

      7. Since it was raining, no painting was done. I washed down all window shades with Soilax.

      8. I removed the broken glass from the last replacement frame (which broke last Member’s Day in the 321).

      9. Removed the flag brackets from the #2 end.

    2. Misc.:

      1. We visited the silver cars.


Frank:

Sunday, 29 January 2006:

308:

1. I drilled the remainder of the holes for the bottom steel plate for the inside of the #1L door. I then spraypainted it with primer on one side and put it on the drying racks in the paint room. After the other side is sprayed with primer, hopefully Tuesday or Saturday, the two plates can be riveted together and installed on the door.

2. I put a coat of primer on the #1L door plate, which had been wire-wheeled by Ken Tendick last weekend.

3. I finished wire-wheeling the outboard grab for the #1L side door; it can be taken back over to the car.

4. George Clark lent me a belt sander which I used to hog off some of the misshapen quarter-round at the bottom of the #1R platform corner post. I plan to finish re-profiling this area next weekend with the pad sander, then prime it.

5. I sanded the last window still in the shop to remove the newspaper that had been painted onto the inside face, and spot-primed it. It will need a couple of coats of Upper Wall Green on these spots, and probably the entire inside surface should be lightly touch-sanded and recoated with green.

6. Bruneau loaned me three photos of the 308 during the 1930's and 1940's to use in our planned R&W article.

7. On the third rail beam, I primed the top of the air cylinder (which was still bare metal) and spot-primed various nuts and bolts. It should be ready to paint black [except that we have no black paint in the shop... requisition?].

8. Every time I see Jeff Obarek he asks about his control pipe hose that we borrowed from him. Perhaps we should give him one of the ones Rod has that is missing a gasket? Since he doesn't have anything to MU the 431 to, it shouldn't matter.


  1. Saturday, February 4 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I installed a snap switch for the gauge light at the #2 end and connected everything. I also had to replace the bulb.

      2. I cut the remaining pieces of 3/8” quarter round to the correct lengths and mitered them. I then painted the back surfaces with white primer. Need brads and a brad driver.

      3. I installed the flag brackets at the #2 end.

      4. I found another right-handed spring latch, and installed it on the window in sector 24. I removed the one on the toilet window; this one has a broken spring. I took it home, along with two left-hand spares, for repair.

      5. I took the drop sash for the #2L door over to the shop, so Frank can fill the holes and repaint.

      6. Frank sanded down the large door plate from the #1L door.

      7. Frank used the pad sander to finish-sand the #1R corner post; it is now ready to prime.

      8. Frank started painting the third rail beam black.

    2. 205:

      1. Frank removed removed the center two door leaves from the east end of the car and brought them into the shop for replacement. Helped a little by me.


Frank:

Sunday, 5 February 2006:

308:

1. I took the #1L side door over to the car and hung it.

2. I tried riveting the two #1L door plates together but the rivets we ordered were too small. This will require some more work.

3. I put a first coat of black on the front side of the third rail beam; the entire thing is now in black but still needs a second coat.

4. I sanded down the two window shade tracks that are in the shop. They should be primed with white primer before being painted Light Green. In addition, the window that is in the shop should be touch-sanded to smooth out the brush marks before it is painted with another coat of Light Green.

205:

1. I drew up a plan for purchasing wood for new door leaves.

2. I painted the last two trolley base stands black.


  1. Tuesday, February 7

    1. 308:

      1. I brought out a pallet from home, and took the quart can of white primer to the shop for Mark’s use.

      2. I locked up the #2 end with the folding stick, since both doors are now in place, and picked up our tools and parts and took them back to the 321. Some cleaning and straightening.

      3. I worked on the third rail beam in the shop. One of the wood plates over a bolt didn’t sit right, so I pried it up to fix it, and it broke. I made a new one and installed it, and painted it with brown primer.

      4. Filled out an emergency form for Bruneau.


  1. Tuesday, February 14

    1. 308:

      1. I hauled the third rail beam to the 308 and placed it alongside the car. Picked out two sets of plates for installing it. I also picked out a bolt set for attaching the sleet scraper.

      2. I discussed training and safety issues with Henry Vincent.


  1. Saturday, February 18 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. We attached the third rail beam to the truck, although it’s not yet in the correct position.

      2. I installed a fuse and made the electrical and air connections, including a new ½” union.

      3. I also worked on attaching connections to the other beams as needed. At the #1R position, I needed a new cut-out cock and miscellaneous parts.


Saturday, 18 February 2006

308:

1. Dick Lukin cleaned up the two square washer plates for the third rail beam, pounded them flat, and spray-primed them.

2. I sanded down the #2L side door drop sash on the inside, and also filled the holes from the original latch with dowels and put some Bondo in the holes to fill them in. I also wire-wheeled the lift tab.

3. I touch-sanded the last side window to be repainted; it is now ready for a final coat of Upper Wall Green.

IR 205:

1. We brought out the piece of mahogany bought for building new doors.


Sunday, 19 February 2006

308:

1. I spraypainted the two washer plates for the third rail beams black; they are ready to install.

2. I painted the last window Upper Wall Green using a good-quality brush borrowed from Bruneau; this window is now ready to install. I also put a first coat on the last two window shade tracks.

3. I sanded the Bondo on the #2L door drop sash and spot-primed the inside of the frame.

4. Rod gave me a couple of sample rivets he picked up at Ace for around 15 cents each to try out on the door plate. I'll need to widen out the holes a little bit. The two samples are different sizes, so we can hopefully get an idea of which one works better.

IR 205:

1. I painted both trolley hooks black.

2. Robert Pechous spent a while creating a drawing of the original door leaves removed from the car previously.


  1. Monday, February 20

    1. 308:

      1. I took a Car Dept. jack to Barn 8 and raised the beam into position, installed the washer plates, and tightened all bolts.

      2. Bruneau had a wedge tool for removing the broken-off threads in the sleet scraper, and it worked. I attached the correct ½” plumbing to it, so all four sleet scrapers are now completely installed.

      3. I installed the rebuilt window (#16) in sector 1, with all screws and window shade.


  1. Tuesday, February 28

    1. 308:

      1. I installed the newly lettered replica First Aid Box on the car, cleaned off the piece of glass (more or less), and installed it. Looks good, but Frank will probably want to sand down the edge strips before repainting them.

      2. Brought out some rubber tape and taped up a couple of the shields around the unions for the sleet scrapers.

      3. I installed all of the quarter-round pieces I had painted last time with brads. They still need to be smoothed flush and painted with primer.

      4. Talked to Bruneau.


Saturday, 4 March 2006

308:

1. I put a second coat of Upper Wall Green on the last two window shade tracks; they are now ready to install.

205:

1. I measured the roof boards. They are 2x6's measuring about 18' each, two abreast and two long. We should order some replacements.


  1. Monday, March 6 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I installed the repainted window shade tracks for sector 8 and arranged the window shade.

      2. Looked at the spring latch I brought out; we decided to swap it with one on a drop sash.

      3. I rasped down the quarter-round strips on the train door that I had installed last time.

    2. Misc.:

      1. We looked at the roof of the 205. Talked to Bruneau.


  1. Saturday, March 11 (with Frank)

    1. 205:

      1. We bought three rolls of tarpaper. We installed two of them along the sides of the roof and tacked them down. Frank did nearly all of the tacking on the second one.

      2. He also made a temporary plywood door for the aisle side.

    2. 308:

      1. I finished sanding down the quarter-round strips on the train door, and painted them with white primer.

      2. I also wiped down and painted various parts of the door frames at the #1 end, where Frank had stripped them, with white primer.

      3. Worked on finishing the wiring in the attic at the #2 end. I soldered the ground connection, and stapled the lead to the headlight bracket on the door to the paneling. (Although it won’t actually be connected, at least it looks right.) Also chiseled out around the headlight plug hole.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Max was working on installing lighting, so no 600V in the barn today.


Sunday, 12 March 2006:

IR 205:

1. I removed the old rotted roof boards, which had apparently been installed by Bob Hively and were attached with lag screws. I then swept off the car's roof and cleaned up the area around the car.

THI&E 50:

1. Andy Sunderland ran ComEd 4 and I served as ground man to wye the car. We also put it on the pit lead for a time, and Andy and Bob Elliott needle-chipped the front end bumper. I moved the sign from the right side of the car to the left side.

Misc:

1. I lettered "HDLT" over a switch in the non-smoker end cab of IT 101.


  1. Tuesday, March 14

    1. 308:

      1. I finished wiring updates in the #2 attic; soldered the final connections for the headlight circuits and taped up all connections. Still no 600, so it couldn’t be tested.

      2. I started cleaning loose paint from the dome light for the #2 end.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I picked up the journal lid puller, which I had left on the portable platform.

      2. I gave Bruneau my brass locomotive brake handle; he will find me an M-23 replacement.


  1. Saturday, March 18

    1. 308:

      1. I finished sanding off the dome light and its wood frame for the #2 end. I then wired it in and installed it.

      2. To test it, I had to lengthen the wire on the long stinger. But at last all of the interior lights are working.

      3. First coat of white primer on the metal dome. First coat of brown primer on the wood frame pieces, plus the last piece of ceiling near the side door.

      4. I put the repainted toilet window in place and installed the window shade tracks.

      5. I tried to adjust the window shade for sector 18, without success (yet).

      6. I removed the spring latch on the drop sash on the #2R side door and replaced it with a recently rebuilt one. However, the dimensions are slightly different; I need to attach a shim to the opposite side of the sash.

    2. 309:

      1. Car cleaning day. Dave Nieto cleaned all of the windows in the 309. They may be able to do the 308 on April 1st.

      2. I countersunk the nails holding the new molding strip on the #2L door frame. Need to bring out my plane.

    3. Misc.:

      1. I went to the Board meeting in the morning. Discussion of development and land acquisition with NPS people. No news on Brookins until at least end of March. I spoke briefly about the MTM streetcar end, which was rejected.

      2. Met Mark Egebrecht and talked about various things.


  1. Saturday, March 25

    1. 308:

      1. Day started with a bang, as the drop sash fell down. Fortunately the glass didn’t break. I installed the drop sash in the #2L door, so I could heat up the vestibule. I also installed a shim at the top for both drop sash in this compartment, so the latches engage the tracks properly.

      2. Second coat of white primer on the metal dome.

      3. First coat of blue on the wood frame pieces, plus the last piece of ceiling near the side door. Also on the new drop sash and miscellaneous spots that needed it.

      4. I finished putting a first coat of finish brown on the floor, sectors 1-6,23-28.

      5. I also started putting a first coat of finish brown on the floor of the #2 vestibule. This had earlier been painted with “Budd Light Brown”.

    2. Misc.:

      1. Max has installed lights in both side aisles of Barn 8, and they were working. The switches are not yet installed; lights are controlled by a timer. On every day at 9, off at 6:30. Still no 600.

      2. Max also said he’d eventually start on outlets on the side walls, by quarters. He’d start at which ever quarter was easiest, so I cleaned up everything along the wall beside our three cars, so it will obviously be the easiest, I hope.


  1. Sunday, March 26

    1. 308:

      1. First coat of finish white on the metal dome.

      2. I epoxied whistles in place at both ends of the car.

      3. I finally decided it wasn’t going to be possible to patch in small pieces of siding under the retriever bracket at the #1 end; it’s geometrically impossible due to the bolt and plate in front, etc. This part of the end needs to be rebuilt at some point, but not now since the bolts holding the bracket are rusted. I cut out a small piece of Masonite and installed it. Also I filed/sanded down the Bondo on the floor section, and painted it with brown primer.

      4. Since the museum will be open next week, I installed the hand rail which had been sitting on the #1 end, so the sign could be mounted. The pieces of weather stripping were stored in the 321, #2 end.

      5. I finished putting a first coat of finish brown on the floor of the #2 vestibule.

    2. 101:

      1. I worked briefly with Stan, Dan, and Charlie. Helped adjust the trolley bases for tension. Got to ride the 101 for a few hundred feet.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Straightening up in preparation for opening day. Put signs in place on all cars.


  1. Saturday, April 1 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. Car cleaners came through; they did the outside of the windows on both cars, the inside windows on the 308, and vacuuming in the 309. Phil Becker, Lorraine Johnson, John Meyer, Dan Buck, and Steve Jirsa.

      2. I removed the window at sector 17 and installed the latches. Frank sand-blasted the spring latch, which I had removed from the drop sash. I also re-adjusted the window shade and installed it, and installed the window shade tracks and put in screws to keep the window shade from being pulled down.

      3. Collected all screws from the window sills so they could be cleaned.

      4. I went on the roof and put some white primer on the leather straps so they can be painted grey.

      5. Also white primer on the corner post at the #2R door.

      6. Frank and I worked on replacing/swapping brake hoses and cut-out cocks. We retrieved the two rebuilt control pipe hoses from the 431 which had been rebuilt by Rod Turner, and installed them at the #2 ends of the 308 and 309. We replaced the brake pipe cock at the #2 end of the 308 with a better one. Since the dummy coupling for the control pipe hose at the #2 end of the 308 was missing, we removed the one at the #1 end of the 321 and installed it. The #1 end of the 308 still needs a brake pipe cut-out cock; there’s a fairly good one in the shop, but it has pipe nipples in it we couldn’t remove. None of this could be tested with air today, but we believe we will have good hoses and cocks at both ends of the blue cars, and at least the #1 end of the 321. The #2 end of the 321 still has a North Shore control pipe hose.

      7. I finally connected the pipes for the rooster valve at the #1 end. This car is missing the handles for both rooster valves. There’s one still available on the good pilot of the 318.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I worked briefly with Stan, Charlie, and Rod helping to move the Class B which was being inspected.

      2. Frank did some wire-wheeling on the 266.

      3. Frank informed us that the current Brookins plan is to keep the entire collection in Cleveland.


Sunday, 2 April 2006: (Frank)

308:

1. I installed about half of the weatherstripping at the #1R side door before the timer kicked in and Max's new lights went out. This needs to be checked for clearance when the door is closed. Also, about 1/4" needs to be cut off the bottom of the weatherstripping on the body corner post.

2. Bob Bruneau and myself removed the pipe nipples from the 3/4" angle cock we want to install on the 308. The angle cock is on the shelf.

3. The two grab-irons on the shelf in the shop can be installed at the #1 end now that the wood is primed. They should be labeled in marker on the back of the "clover leaf" portion.

IR 205:

1. I finished wire-wheeling the last of the angled dasher panels. Rod Turner took a look at them and made a couple of suggestions for repairing them using sheet metal screws that I think will be very useful.

Misc:

1. The 101 ran in revenue service today for the first time in something like 20 years. I went for a ride; it seemed to ride nice. Its balancing speed is 44mph.


  1. Saturday, April 8 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I replaced the brake pipe cut-out cock on the #1 end. I checked the oil in the compressor and pumped up the car. The only bad leak remaining is in the brake pipe cock at the #2 end. #2 end brake stand has a slow stem leak. Triple valve is the same as before; upon moving from release to lap, set-up time is about six seconds.

      2. I also tested the whistles; they both sound good. However, the whistle valve at the #1 end does not close completely. This is a serious problem. Unfortunately, I would now have to use heat to get the whistle off to do any replacement plumbing.

      3. I had noticed that the replacement 309E (modified from a 318I) had been installed in the 321, and inadvertently painted maroon on part of the outside. I checked that it will work fine in the #9 sector, then took it to the shop for Frank and/or Mark to sand down and repaint.

      4. I cut the folding stick at the #1 end to length; due to Frank’s installation of weather stripping, it was slightly too long.

      5. I used the rasp to adjust the bottom of the #2R side door, so it will close more easily.

    2. 309:

      1. I put more oil in the compressor and pumped up the 309 also. No real problems noted; brakes apply and release properly. Set-up time on moving from release to lap is at least several minutes.

      2. I removed the quarter-round stick I had installed at the #2L corner post, and removed all nails. I made a template for the proper shape, so I can sand it down in the shop.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Frank went with Bob Sundelin to pick up wood for the Clinton, then decided it’s nearly hopeless.

      2. I disconnected the long stinger from the resistor stinger, since 600v is available once more.


Tuesday, 11 April 2006 (Frank)

308:

1. I pulled the 308 out of the barn with Bruneau's permission. I stenciled and then painted three legends in the #1 vestibule: "#1 END", "308" and "DO NOT PASS FROM CAR TO CAR". I then put the car back in the barn.

2. I noticed the following items which will need attention:

a. The #1 end whistle valve is leaking badly, meaning the whistle sounds continuously.

b. The #2R door cannot be opened all the way because it scrapes on the floor. It needs to be taken off and the bottom shaved a little bit.

c. I was not able to open the #2L door more than an inch or two.


  1. Saturday, April 15 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. Frank moved the car outside the barn, and did lettering in both vestibules: "L" and "R" at both ends; "PLEASE KEEP CLOSED" on vestibule side of #2 end sliding door; and "# END" at the #2 end (the number "2" was not included, as I have no stencil for it). We also need to look at photos to find out where the "B" and "D" went.

      2. I applied some Bondo at the places at all four corner where the flag brackets had been in the higher position, then sanded it down and painted them with white primer.

      3. I went to the blue reefer and got three more 1” cut-out cocks. With Rod Turner’s help, I tested them in the shop and found two that don’t leak (although one of them is apparently a trip cock, and will be kept in reserve.) I replaced the one at the #2 end of the car and retested the system. This one does not leak. There’s still a leak at the union in the pipe leading to the feed valve; we’ll have to have the car over the pit, though it will still be hard to get at.

    2. 309:

      1. I sanded down the quarter-round stick I had installed at the #2L corner post, and nailed it back in. Fits and looks much better.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Looked at the connector track, which has now been connected.


  1. Saturday, April 22 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I painted most of the white primer on the ends of the car with a first coat of red, including all four upper locations of the flag brackets.

      2. I removed the piping at the #1 end of the 321 to get at the whistle valve, so it could be tested. It leaks, but Rod Turner and Dan Gornstein helped work on repairing it. After the rules test, Rod said he thought it was working and gave it back to me. Not yet installed.

      3. Frank and I took some time to sort through the spring collection and find one to hold up the handle for the headlight switch at the #2 end.

    2. Misc.:

      1. Frank went to the rules review in the morning; we both went to the safety meeting, took the rules test, and passed.

      2. Bob Rayunec brought out a C6 controller handle and an M15B brass brake handle. Taken home for safekeeping.


Sunday, 23 April, 2006

308:

1. I ran the car over to the pit lead and needle-chipped the outboard main reservoir tank as well as the reverser cover and the MU receptacles at the #1 end.

2. I touch-sanded the vestibule side of the #1 end bulkhead sliding door and painted it blue, also touching up the blue paint elsewhere on the car.

3. It sounded like the motors were grinding when I ran the car over to the pit, but Dan Gornstein listened to them for a while and they didn't sound particularly bad. We should pay attention to this around inspection time.


  1. Tuesday, April 25

    1. Misc.:

      1. I drove out to deliver the handles from Bob Rayunec to Bruneau.


Saturday, 29 April, 2006:

308:

1. I installed all of the weather-stripping at the #2L side doorway.

Misc:

1. The Illinois Traction Society meet was today. IT 101, 415, 518, 1565 and 1605 operated.


Sunday, 30 April 2006:

308:

1. I stripped and primed a section of weather-stripping from the 321 for use on 308.

2. Buzz Morisette has scanned and digitized the number for the inside of the end bulkheads, so he is nearly ready to have vinyl stickers made.

3. I asked Bruneau to order 100 slotted-head brass wood screws, #10 x 1-1/4" long, for installing the remaining baggage racks. I also asked him to procure two panes of 3/16" glass, 24"x26". He's going to see if he can reuse North Shore storm window panes; otherwise he'll order the glass new from Ameriglass.

321:

1. Bruneau is hoping to send an H&K walkover seat to Ron Maxfield in Florida (Texas?) so that he can reproduce his own. Bruneau's crew will remove the one from the 321 tomorrow and someone visiting from Texas will take it with him when he leaves Wednesday, I believe.

IR 205:

1. I wire-wheeled and primed a few areas of the car including the angled dasher panels at the end and the post between the second and third windows from the southwest corner.


  1. Tuesday, May 2

    1. 308:

      1. I brought out some new applicators, a job list for Jack, and found the floor paint in the fire-proof locker.

    2. 321:

      1. Bruneau gave me an M-23 brake handle, which I checked will work well on the 321. Stored in the wall locker.

      2. Evidently the seat frame won’t be sent to the Edwards Car company people, so it’s staying in the 321.


Saturday, 6 May 2006:

321:

1. I removed the weatherstripping from around the #2 end train door, took it into the shop and stripped most of the paint off it. It will be reused on the 308.

Misc:

1. I got qualified on the 415. Henry Vincent was the trainer, Ed Rosengren the qualifier.


Sunday, 7 May 2006:

308:

1. I brought the car outside and wire-wheeled the reverser cover and the air tank next to it. I primed those as well as the MU receptacles at the #1 end. Afterwards, I put the car back in the barn after taking out the 309 and putting the 309 on the pit for its inspection.

2. Jack put a second coat on the floor in the smoker - it looks great!


  1. Tuesday, May 9 (with Frank)

    1. 309:

      1. Viewed the inspection process with 309 over the pit. Frank showed me the problems with contactors 2 and 3 for the #2 truck; there’s a leak in the #1 end motorman’s brake valve, plus the triple valve, etc. But nothing serious.

      2. I brought out the arched trim piece and put all the trim pieces back together in the 19-20 sector.

      3. I also brought out the little latch mechanism for the folding sign at the #1 end.


  1. Wednesday, May 10

    1. 309:

      1. I loosened up the slack adjuster (#1 truck, side L) to remove the brake shoe which was wedged in there, then started to insert it from below. Helped by Kirk Warner. We finally decided to drop one end of the slack adjuster to get more room. I then tightened up the slack adjuster and adjusted it.

      2. I drilled out the two stuck screws holding the lower contactor tips on contactors 2 and 3 (#1 truck). Tightened up the screws holding the upper contact assembly in each case and reinstalled them. Bruneau gave me a box of the correct machine screws for contactor tips; we also have a good supply of brand new DB-15 contactor tips available if we need them. I couldn’t remove the remains of the screw from one of them, so I removed the upper tip from #4 and put it in #3.

      3. I removed the broken interlock assembly from contactor 3 and gave it to Bruneau. I removed the interlock from #4 and moved it to #3.

      4. Checked the compressor brushes, oil, etc.

      5. Operation of the air system in general; clock readings, emergency valve, etc. Some motorman’s valve leaking at both ends, otherwise everything appears OK.

      6. Moved the car east so the #2 truck was over the pit. Removed the bottom motor covers and checked pole piece clearance. Commutators, string banding, etc. appear OK. Had to replace one of the bolts holding the commutator-side plate on #4 motor, since the threads were sort of stripped. The new bolt works OK.

      7. I moved the car back into the barn using the other two motors, to verify that both ends are working.

    2. 308:

      1. Jack was working on the 308. He found the box of new screws to finish attaching all baggage racks and installed them.

      2. He painted about 2/3 of the main compartment floor with finish brown, then ran out of paint. Sorry.


  1. Saturday, May 13 (with Frank)

    1. 309:

      1. I went to Diamond Paint in Des Plaines to pick up another gallon of the finish brown paint for the floor.

      2. Inspection work on 309: inspected the #2 end contactors and reverser, the compressor, etc.

      3. Rod Turner worked most of the day on rebuilding the motorman’s valve for the #1 end, finally got the leaking to stop.

      4. Inspection on the #3 and #4 motors.

      5. I made a block to shim out the spring which holds the side door open at the #2R corner.

      6. Frank painted the trim strip at the #2L corner and the block mentioned above with brown primer.

      7. We blocked the seat frame at #10 window so it can’t be moved, since it tends to come out of the tracks.

      8. I removed a loose bolt on the #1 truck and put in a new lock washer, since the old one had evidently broken and fallen out.

      9. Lubrication: Frank did all main bearings; I did all axle caps and six of the eight armature bearings, until it started to rain and the car had to be moved back into the barn. Frank later did the remaining two armature bearings.


  1. Sunday, May 14 (with Frank)

    1. 309:

      1. We finished up inspection on the 309. It was then run out to the tail track, where we moved all 308 seats into the 308. Then stored back on track 84. Helped by Stan W.

    2. 308:

      1. The 308 was moved from barn 8 to the inspection pit, getting all its seat backs and cushions along the way.

      2. Car was later wyed, to put the motor truck over the pit so it can be worked on without moving the car.

      3. Interlocks: I noted that the interlock on contactor #4 (trolley #2) which is supposed to be normal closed, was actually always closed. This interlock is supposed to keep the reverser from being thrown under load. We finally figured out how to adjust the interlock mechanism on these DB-131s, so it opens when the contactor comes up. Sequenced the group.

      4. Inspected the compressor and cleaned the commutator with a rag on a stick.

      5. I fixed the leak in the union which we had noted before by tightening it down, having determined that it was going to be extremely difficult to take it apart.

      6. I removed the whistle at the #1 end using a propane torch (after several frustrating attempts) and replaced the leaking whistle valve with the one Rod had rebuilt earlier. After some adjustment, it worked. This enables us to operate from the #1 end again.

      7. Rod replaced the stem gasket on the motorman’s valve at the #2 end, which had been leaking.

      8. Rod started inspecting the motors and found several problems. Some of the axle cap bearings were loose; he was able to install shims to correct this.


  1. Monday, May 15

    1. 308:

      1. I glued the whistle in place at the #1 end.

      2. I boxed up and removed all of the tools and supplies left in the car from Jack working on it, and moved it all to the 321.

      3. I installed the remaining seat backs and put all seat cushions in place. This included nailing the back at sector 1 in place.


Saturday, 20 May 2006:

308:

1. When I got to IRM I found out that Rod Turner and Stan Wdowikowski spent much of yesterday working on the motors, and got them done. The motors were cleaned out using 2 gal. of Corbosol, the commutators were polished, a couple of brush holders aligned, and on the #4 motors a step was machined into the outboard brushes to clear the damaged part of the com.

2. I did the rest of the inspection aided by Rod, Stan, and Mark Egebrecht. Rod and Stan helped replace the brake shoe on the #2 axle, L side, which had a hardened spot and had been gouging a groove in the wheel. Mark put some bigger screws in the trap hinge at the #2R corner, so hopefully it will quit pulling out from the wall. Stan and Mark helped with lubrication.

3. After the 309 trip, we made up the train and put it in Barn 8 to be ready for service.

4. I set Mark up with the paint he will need to finish the rest of the floor, go over the red striping on the L side, and paint the grab-irons and the spare window in the wood shop. I also recommended he buy a quart of Rustoleum black paint, since we seem to have none, to paint the air tank and reverser cover.

309:

1. After the 308 inspection was done we took the 309 on a test trip. The axle cap bearing on the #2 axle L side, which I had been concerned about, exhibited no extraordinary temperature increase. Rod brought along his GPS meter to give an accurate speed reading but it wasn't working right, so we don't know exactly how fast we were going.

2. Afterwards we coupled up to the 308 and put both cars back in Barn 8.


  1. Saturday, June 10 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. 308+309 were scheduled to operate, but didn’t due to threat of rain. We noticed the cars seemed to have been run in the rain while we were gone. 309 was not locked up. Otherwise all is well.

      2. Lubrication: I checked and topped off all main journals and the compressor.

      3. Frank did exterior touch-up painting in several areas.

      4. I sanded down the end of the car over the motorman’s window at the #2 end, then painted it with white primer.

      5. I oiled all the wheels for the pocket doors.

      6. We got the stickers we ordered for the numbers over the interior doors, but no instructions on applying them.

    2. 309:

      1. Lubrication: I checked and topped off all main journals and the compressor.

      2. I traced the “2” for the #2 vestibule so Frank can finish lettering the 308.

      3. I fixed up the black leather straps holding seats 7-8 and 21-22 together so they can’t be moved.

    3. 321:

      1. I got some spare pieces of tar paper and patched up the end of the roof at the #2 end, so the car can be run for the pageant.

    4. Misc.:

      1. Frank operated the 415.


Sunday, 11 June 2006 (Frank)

308 & 309:

1. The cars ran in service - motorman Steve Jirsa, conductor Mark Egebrecht, rotating trainman. I think four trips, no problems reported to my knowledge.

308:

1. I painted the numeral 2 over the train door in the #2 vestibule.

Misc:

1. I put a first coat of orange on the left side of LSE 150 below the belt rail.


  1. Saturday, June 17 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I installed the “Scrap Fuses Only” box at the #1 end.

      2. The retriever at the #2 end is broken again.

      3. Lubrication: I checked and topped off the compressor.

      4. Car was operated for four trips on the main line with the 309. No problems other than the retriever. Conductor was Randy Allegrezza, trainman Dave Hammer for two trips, also Henry Vincent. One training run for Jim West.

    2. 309:

      1. Lubrication: I checked and topped off the compressor.

      2. Reinstalled the handle for the headlight switch at the #1 end.

      3. Operated for four trips on the mainline, as mentioned above.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Frank operated the 415.


  1. Monday, June 19

    1. 308:

      1. I removed the defective retriever and carried it over to the car shop.

      2. I put a coat of red on the area over the motorman’s window at the #1L corner and the rest of the corner post. I also taped and completed the two stripes around the body post at this corner.


  1. Saturday, June 24 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I removed a retriever from the 757 and installed it on the 308, so we could operate the car by itself.

      2. We separated the two cars. The 101 was run by Henry from track 42 over to barn 8 and placed next to the 321, then we put the 309 back on 84. The 308 was operated around the car line and into track 42 and placed in the “roof booth”.

      3. We washed off the south side of the roof and repainted it with grey canvas paint. The car was then moved up near the doors so we could use the rolling scaffold to do the north side. I had to leave before the job was done; Frank finished the painting. The car was then pulled out so the 68 could be put back in its place; the 308 was then stored at the door on 42. Helped a little by Dave ? from St. Louis.


Sunday, June 25: 309 operated as a single car. Henry Vincent, motorman.


  1. Saturday, July 1 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I installed the blue anti-theft plate on the #2 end door.

      2. Frank installed the metal plate on the #1L door, and painted it blue. He also painted the whistle valve, which had been replaced, and touched up a couple of other things.

      3. We washed off the 15-28 side of the car, since it had gotten sort of dirty a couple of weeks ago.

      4. I removed the bulbs from the center light fixtures and put a first coat of finish yellow on all surfaces. I also worked a little on trying to get the #2 transfer circuit working, but in vain.

      5. I traded retrievers between the 308 and 309, so the one from the 757 is on the 309, and the 308’s are both blue.

      6. I applied the 308 number decals which we got from Buzz.

      7. I touched up all the little screws that hold the anti-theft plates with blue.

      8. I checked and filled both compressors.

    2. Misc.:

      1. Frank worked for several hours helping the Diamond gang with installing the new 50th Avenue platform.


  1. Sunday, July 2 – 308 Dedication (with Frank)

    1. 308/309:

      1. We opened the 308 for visitors in the morning, and started to get things ready.

      2. I removed the masking tape from the number decals; they look great.

      3. I ran the 309 out of the barn, around the car line and put it on the west wye.

      4. Dedication ceremony. Speeches by Barb Lanphier, Nick Kallas, Johnson, myself, and Jack B. Music provided by the West End Jazz Band. 308 was run out of the barn onto the 41-42 switch, breaking through the banner, which was held by Stan W. and Dan Mulvihill.

      5. I then ran the 309 back onto the car line, and north to Depot St. There we put the train together and started loading passengers. The train was then run over to Station 1.

      6. Four trips on the main line, with good crowds. Randy Allegrezza, trainman. Mark Egebrecht ran half a trip. One final trip was run for Harold Krewer and a visitor, Bob Worth or something, the road foreman of engines for Amtrak, he claimed.

      7. Cars were put back on 84.

    2. 309:

      1. On the second trip I found that the 309’s feed valve had stuck open. I cut it out, and ran from then on using only the 308’s feed valve.


  1. Tuesday, July 4 (with Frank)

    1. 308/309:

      1. I topped up oil in both compressors and all main journals.

      2. Randy A. brought us some new American flags, which were attached to the old sticks. I had to taper the end of the newest white flag Maggie had made, which we evidently hadn’t used before.

      3. Cars were operated in revenue service, four trips on the main line, plus one car line trip for the pageant. 309’s feed valve is still stuck open, no other problems noted. Randy Allegrezza, trainman.

      4. Cars were put back on 84.


  1. Saturday, July 8 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. I painted the letters “G” and “FV” at the #2 end.

    2. 309:

      1. I replaced the feed valve with the one from the 321. It was tested and appeared to work properly.

      2. We helped Jerry Saunders move our four spare traction motors from one container to the next, so he can have one entirely for his parts. Helped also by Rich Schauer and Jim West.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Frank worked on installing more tarpaper on the 205; I helped.

      2. I did some more training with Jim West and signed him off on 308/309.


Sunday, July 9: 308/309 operated. Jim West, motorman; Mark Egebrecht and Ron Seavers, trainmen. Reports indicate a feed valve (309’s, probably) was malfunctioning again. Frank put the train away.


  1. Saturday, July 15 (with Frank)

    1. 308:

      1. We picked up two pieces of glass (24x26) at the store in Woodstock.

      2. I drilled holes in the four drip rails and painted the backs with white primer.

      3. Later, I installed two of them on the 15-28 side of the car, and finished painting the metal with white primer. Caulked in place.

    2. 309:

      1. We ran the two cars out to the road and back as a test, also as a fan trip for Norm Krentel and a guest of his from Grand Haven. Feed valve on 309 appeared to work OK.

      2. I worked on feed valves some more. I completely disassembled one; after reassembly, however, it still didn’t work. Finally one which Bob Heinlein had rebuilt was adjusted on the test rack and installed on the 309.

    3. Misc.:

      1. We switched out the 757 and 205, putting 205 at the door, using Com Ed 4. Helped by Dan Gornstein.


  1. Sunday, July 16

    1. 308:

      1. I drove to Relic and measured the toilet ventilator on the 316; helped by Ralph Taylor.


  1. Tuesday, July 18

    1. 308:

      1. I painted the two installed drip rails with Pewter Grey.

      2. I picked up a center window latch for the 308 replacement window at home.

      3. The hole in the roof for the toilet ventilator is 6” in diameter.


  1. Tuesday, July 25

    1. Misc.:

      1. I dropped off a light fixture from the 321 with Bruneau, so he can lend it to Keith Bray when he drops by next week. Keith is planning to cast replacements for the 320.

      2. We talked about making a set of working plans for the replacement toilet ventilator.

      3. I checked on the 308 and 309; no problems noted, and they were even locked up correctly this time. I filled the squeeze bottle for compressor oil and left a note. Bob said they reported the 309’s compressor was smoking more than usual on Sunday. We will plan to take it apart over the winter.


Frank:

Sunday, July 30, 2006

308:

1. I removed the weather-stripping from the #1L door of the 321, brought it into the shop and stripped the paint off it. It is now ready to be primed and mounted on the 308.


  1. Sunday, August 6

    1. 308/309:

      1. I put the display signs back on the two cars.

      2. The “Off 2” sign had come loose, so I climbed on top of the 308 and removed it. Need a better system.


Frank:

Sunday, August 6, 2006 (Vintage Transport Day)

309:

1. I talked to Dan Buck and discussed running the 309 on a couple of weekdays this month. I left the newly-rediscovered RELIC brake handle in the #1 end flag box of the 309.

Misc:

1. I did some line-training on the 144 with Bill Thiel as pilot.

2. The 3142 blew up a motor. Fortunately Frank Sirinek was running, or else he probably would have single-handedly lynched the motorman.

3. George Clark and Roger Hewett bought copies of my book!


The 309 operated in revenue service on Monday, August 7. Dan Buck, motorman.


Saturday, August 12, 2006

205:

1. I cut the last strip of tarpaper and tacked it down on the 205's roof; the roof is now ready to paint between the platform bonnets.

2. I started working with the roll of felt paper that Bruneau had sitting in the shop. It's only 18" wide, not wide enough to do the entire east bonnet of the car, but I cut out an angled piece to go under the door drip rail and installed that.

3. I wire-wheeled most of the letterboard around the east end.

4. I did some miscellaneous Bondo applying at the east end of the car.

309:

1. The 309 was left unlocked (on Monday, I suppose) and was found open.


The 309 operated in revenue service on Monday, August 14. Dan Buck, motorman.


  1. Monday, August 14

    1. 308:

      1. I brought out the new window for sector 9, and put a first coat of white primer on both sides. Left in the 321.

    2. 309:

      1. I looked at the new seat frame from Glenn Guerra. It looks very good and works well. I measured the layout of the pins for the seat cushion, and they are exact. It appears that the two end frames are about ½” closer together than on the 309’s seat frames; this should be easy enough to adjust. Need to contact Glenn for prices.

    3. 321:

      1. I took home the Museum’s M-23 brake handle for staining and varnishing.


  1. Friday, August 18

    1. Misc.:

      1. Working for Thomas: I ran the 415 all day.

      2. I also put back all the signs on the two blue cars.


  1. Saturday, August 19 (with Frank)

    1. Misc.:

      1. Working for Thomas: I was on relief duty; operated the 144 for much of the day. Frank was a conductor on the 1374 and then 144 all day.

    2. 308:

      1. I put a first coat of upper green on the new window.

      2. I made a simple frame for holding seat backs from the 309, using two 2x4s from Frank’s earlier “Clinton” project.


  1. Wednesday, August 23

    1. 308:

      1. I put a first coat of Fleet Grey on the new window.

      2. I wanted to ask Bruneau about my diagram for the toilet ventilator, but he wasn’t there.

    2. 309:

      1. Frank said that Rod had fixed the retriever, so I took it from the car shop to the 309. Unfortunately, I was unable to remove the rope they used; it’s too thick. I stored it on the step, since this will be a two-man job to accomplish safely.


  1. Saturday, August 26 (with Frank)

    1. Misc.:

      1. Working for Thomas: I was on relief duty; operated the 144 for about three hours during the day. Frank was a conductor on the North Shore train part of the day.

    2. 308/309:

      1. I put oil in both compressors.

    3. 321:

      1. Started inspection. Reverser needs Vaseline, some fingers should be replaced if possible, and the string banding was worse than ever. I tore off most of the broken pieces of string and threw them away.

      2. Contactors: Tips and movement are good. The arc chute for #13 has a hole eaten part way into one side; I started to disassemble the chute but it looks like the whole contactor assembly may need to be removed.

      3. #2 controller: Needs Vaseline; otherwise looks good.

      4. Compressor: Looks OK. Checked lubrication in sump and both armature bearings.

      5. I installed new piping for the whistle at the #2 end; it had been partly disassembled in an earlier attempt to get a working whistle valve for the 308. Didn’t try to pump up the car, so not tested yet.

      6. Lubricated all main bearings.


  1. Monday, August 28

    1. Misc.:

      1. I had to pick up my tool bag.

      2. It was raining, so I checked on top of the cars to see if there were any leaks. The roof leaks onto the sidewalk in a couple of places, but that doesn’t hurt anything. Otherwise OK.

    2. 321:

      1. I put the arc chute back together. I also put my screwdriver and drop light back in the car.


Saturday, 2 September 2006:

309:

1. During switching to get the 321 over to the pit, I noticed that the first point was sluggish. Upon investigating I found that the #1 truck doesn't pick up on the first point (it does on the second). I red-tagged the car.

321:

1. Switched it over to the pit MU'd with the 308. The brake stand in the 321 didn't work because there was no feed valve, i.e. the control pipe couldn't be charged. Nick helped with the move and rode the front of the shove going into the pit.

205:

1. I primed the saddles and drip rails on the roof and put a little more Bondo on the east end of the car.


Sunday, 3 September 2006:

309:

1. After some miscues I finally got the open grid element repaired with a bolt-and-washers field repair kit. The faulty grid box is the one closest to the #2 end in the #1 bank of grid boxes; this box will definitely have to be rebuilt over the winter.

321:

1. Helped a little with inspection and switching. Oiled axle cap bearings.

Misc:

1. We had a visitor from Indiana Transportation Museum today; he rode the 308 during one of our switch moves. He was pretty impressed with the work we've done on the car. I told him to pass word along to Craig Pressler that if Pressler ever wants to visit, we'll give him some handle time. Hopefully I don't live to regret that...

2. Bruneau showed me where the roofing tar is for the 205.

3. Bruneau wants me to trace the lettering off of ComEd 4.


  1. Sunday, September 3 (with Frank)

    1. 321:

      1. I did most of the necessary inspection work: armatures, pole piece clearance, axle cap bolts, reverser, group, brake adjustment, etc.

      2. Installed a feed valve. Governor is set for a range of 75-85 psi, not wide enough.

      3. We switched out the 309 from Barn 8, and brought the 308 over to pull the 321 out for the #2 truck.

      4. The 308 and 321 were then trained, and run back to Barn 8. On the way, I noticed that the governor had not opened and the air pressure was over 120 psi. Pulled the pole and shut off the compressor.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I ran the 251 from Barn 6 to the pit for inspection.


  1. Monday, September 4 (with Frank)

    1. 309:

      1. I operated the 309 in revenue service for four mainline trips. Randy Allegrezza, trainman.

      2. I was then asked to send the car around the car line during a switch move. It dewired at the electric switch and damaged the overhead; two span wires were broken. No damage to the pole or car. We then sat on the ladder track for a while and finally put the car away.

    2. 321:

      1. Frank and I tried to adjust the governor some more, without success. Still runs 75-85 psi. Did not stick closed, however.


  1. Tuesday, September 12

    1. 321:

      1. I got three governors from the air brake car and tested them. Two were obviously defective, so I tagged them and put them back. The other appeared to work.

      2. I replaced the one already on the car with the “new” one, but it could not be adjusted above maybe 10 psi. So I put the old one back in place. I made some more attempts to adjust it, but the cut-off point is still 85 psi. It did not stick closed.

      3. I cleaned up the car for service on Member’s Day.


  1. Saturday, September 16 (with Frank)

    1. 309:

      1. We pulled the three-car train out, and moved to the station. I checked all main journals and filled up as needed. One trip on the main line.

      2. I noticed that there seemed to be some sparks coming out from the #2 truck of the 309; at first I attributed this to brakes not releasing completely. However, after the first trip was done, we noticed that smoke was still coming out of the ventilators on top of the #4 motor. The train was taken out of service and run back to 84.

      3. On #4 motor the string banding and insulation to the left of the commutator (between the commutator and the flange) has completely disintegrated; it’s down to bare metal. Pieces of mica and string had wedged under the brushes; both brushes on the left were stuck in the brush holders. The spring on the lower brush holder is broken. Both brushes on the right seemed to still be OK, so the motor was probably still motoring correctly. Those two brushes were removed. No obvious damage to the commutator (from the part I could see.) Still need to check #3. Car was red-tagged.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I viewed Jack Biesterfeld’s work on the B&M diner. Rode the 101 for one trip; wire has been replaced all the way to the end of track at Kishwaukee.


  1. Tuesday, September 19

    1. 321:

      1. I removed the whistle, which had carelessly been left on the car, and locked it up.

      2. One of the windows on the 15-28 side had been removed; I put it back in place. I also put the Kevin sign back on the car.


  1. Saturday, September 23

    1. 309:

      1. I removed all seat cushions and backs from the main compartment, and stored them in the 321.

      2. I removed arm rests in sectors 2-8, 26, and 27.

      3. Removed the windows in sectors 1-4. The inner windows in each sector were put back in the same slots temporarily. All shade tracks and other parts stored. See the tables below.

      4. I worked a little on getting the drop sash in the vestibule door at the #2 end to drop. Not very far.

        1. It now appears that whenever the door was last rebuilt, it was no longer intended to have the drop sash moveable, since the reason the upper sash won’t drop is that the lower sash’s moldings stick out too far. (And presumably at the same time the handle was removed.) They could be planed down, but that would not, I guess, be correct. On the other hand, it’s also possible this was done later than 1948, or even by IRM. It would be nice to be able to open the window.

      5. I removed the wrinkled veneer from the patch piece in the center ceiling, 2-3-26-27. Had to disconnect the buzzer cord and remove the cord hanger.

    2. Misc.:

      1. My resistor stinger doesn’t work; looks like the element is burned out.


  1. Sunday, September 24

    1. 309:

      1. I looked at motor #4 some more; decided not to try to remove the brush holders, since the cables would probably rub on the commutator. Looked at #3, which appears to be OK, and removed the brushes. Car could not be moved to the pit because it was in use by the 714.

      2. Removed the windows in sectors 5-11, 19, and 20.

        1. At sector 8, the vertical trim strip needs to be removed to get windows in and out, due to some slight miscalculation (in 1985) on the width of the new wall panel there.

      3. I removed the wrinkled veneer from the patch piece in the center ceiling, 4-5-24-25.

      4. Removed the linoleum from the smoker bulkhead door to sector 2-27. It was held down in most places mostly by carpet tacks, evidently installed by IRM at some point. I plan to save the section near the toilet, which is partially melted, as a relic; the rest of it can be disposed of.

      5. I removed all of the brackets for the panic cord in the main compartment. I believe they should be stripped of their black paint and stained and varnished like the baggage racks.

      6. We need some more springs for holding up the inner sash; about six of them are held up by wooden blocks. I gave a spring to Bruneau as a sample.

      7. Seat frames: I will need (at least) five castings for the wall end, plus some arms that attach to the central rod. Need to contact Glenn again.


  1. Friday, September 29

    1. 309:

      1. I picked up some tools and stuff I’ll need for making new picture frames for each end.

      2. Since I had time, I disassembled window sector 21. The 309I here has glass that’s cracked at the top, but not visible if the window is stored up.


  1. Saturday, October 7

    1. 309:

      1. I removed all remaining windows and inventoried them. Stored in the 308 for now. All interior windows are put back into the same slots. This also required removing the seat cushions in the smoker. See the tables below – the numbering system is a lot less consistent than I would like.

      2. I removed the arm rests from seat frames 22-25. I removed seat frame 27 and moved it into the 321.

      3. I found that the casting on the outside of seat frame 22 was broken, so I removed the bolts and detached it from the rest of the frame. Not hard to do.

      4. I put a first coat of stain on the clerestory sash in 1-2, also the 93” moulding in sectors 1-3.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I walked out to Yard 13 to look at the ‘new’ panel track.


  1. Sunday, October 8

    1. 309:

      1. I inspected motor #4 some more, in preparation for moving the 309 to barn 4. After moving it a couple of times with a car mover, I found that there is a place where the commutator was destroyed; about a 2” square hole in the commutator down to the steel. This motor is hopeless. I left the 309 in this location for Dan Gornstein to look at, but he was unable to do so.

      2. I scraped and sanded down the ventilator on the quadrangle 1-2. Then I put a first coat of brown primer on the ventilator, and the quarter-round parts and other places that could not be stripped for whatever reason. Later, I did the same for quadrangle 3-4.

      3. First stain on the 89” molding at 1-2.

      4. First stain on the 87” moldings at 1-8.

      5. I drove in several nails in the 89” molding at 1-3 and 26-28 that hadn’t been set all the way.

      6. I removed the two pieces of wood which guard the governor under seat 28, for possible matching of floor colors. The final dark brown (same as 308) was put over an ugly orange color; it’s possible this orange would be correct for 1948. Taken home for further study.

    2. Misc.:

      1. Fan trips: Frank Sirinek, and a man from Metra and his wife.


Sunday, 15 October 2006 (Frank)

308:

1. Bruneau got a new quote from R&B in Woodstock to make the toilet ventilator, this time with the correct steel thickness, and it comes out to about $216. One thing Bob isn't sure of is the curvature of the piece that sits flat against the roof; I went up on a ladder and I think the curvature comes to about 7/8" over the 8" top-to-bottom distance of the vertical tube. Anyway, Bob is going to have them weld about 1" on either side of the tube so we can then bend it to fit against the roof and fill in the gap between the tube and the plate with caulk or something.

309:

1. I discussed the motor issue with Bruneau.

Misc:

1. I put a second coat on the front 1/3 of the left side of Lake Shore Electric 150.

2. I traced the lettering off the cab of Commonwealth Edison 4.


  1. Sunday, October 22

    1. 309:

      1. I took a few minutes to start stripping an arm rest (#4). Went pretty well.

    2. 205:

      1. I cut up the 5/4 mahogany we had bought for the doors, after making a plan. Taken home for use at Shelbyville.

    3. Misc.:

      1. I tried to buy a copy of Moffat’s new book, but it’s not in stock. I put the signs back in place, etc.


  1. Saturday, November 4

    1. 308:

      1. I put a second coat of upper green on the replacement window for sector 9. I removed the 309 spare (318E #9) from sector 9 and put a temporary 321I in the slot.

    2. 309:

      1. I removed one of the end castings from the new seat frame Glenn had made and installed it on seat frame #22 in the car. Fits well with no problems. Having already ordered replacements, I was glad to know they will actually work.

      2. I replaced the element in the resistor stinger, so it works again. I replaced a couple of burned-out bulbs, so all circuits in the car work.

      3. I made templates for cutting out the corner moldings for the center ceiling (double window sectors). The flat corner molding pieces are 1/8” thick by 1” wide; the round pieces are ½” diameter.

      4. I removed the various pieces of ceiling corner moldings in the T and O sectors, since they never looked very good.

      5. I checked the two pieces of replacement mahogany (7/16” thick) for clerestory window trim which I had made several years ago. They had to be sanded down and now fit well. Can be used as patterns for the other replacements.

      6. I put in a few more screws to hold the center light fixture in the ceiling, sector 3-4-25-26.

    3. Misc.:

      1. Spoke to Bob Kutella about the 205 doors and the new barn. I dropped off the pictures I took of the 316 ventilator for Bruneau.


  1. Wednesday, November 8

    1. 309:

      1. I did some more sanding and trimming on the ceiling panel corners, sectors 19-20 and 21-22.

      2. I checked all of the window shade boxes (except the two that have been removed) and replaced or installed screws as needed. They are all now fastened securely except #7 (27-28). Some FH need to be replaced by OH.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I brought out a box of books from Frank for the Strahorn.


On Sunday, November 12, the 309 was moved from Barn 8 to Barn 4 and placed on track 42, third berth from the west, using the Class B.


  1. Wednesday, November 15

    1. 309:

      1. I checked on the car and brought over an extension cord from Barn 8. The resistor stinger will not work on Track 42 because the trolley wire is too high; I decided I will rig up a temporary system for mounting the resistor in the car.

      2. More work on sanding down the ceiling corners, this time sector 9-10.

      3. Removed two more arm rests, 20 and 21.


  1. Saturday, December 2

    1. 309:

      1. I removed the resistor from the resistor stinger and mounted it in the #2 cabinet, so it is connected only to the two light circuits. Also heats up the vestibule slightly. And I brought out the second end table to use as a tool bench.

      2. More work on sanding down the ceiling corners, this time sector 7-8.

      3. I started stripping the window sill; did sectors 26-28. I tried applying stain, but any sections still with black paint are very obvious. Stripping will have to be done very thoroughly.

      4. Stain on the clerestory sash and trim in sectors 1-6 and 23-28. 25-26 probably needs some more paint removal. Much of this was still bare wood. Need many more sections of 3/8” quarter round trim strips.

      5. Started working on fixing the 80” molding pieces on the toilet compartment. The one over the door was removed; its end needs to be bevelled slightly. It was only held in place with two nails. The transverse piece needs to be reset; it was not quite parallel to the floor. Also need to make two trim strips for the sides of the vistadome frame.

      6. I looked carefully at the preserved ceiling paint, such as it is, in the smoker section behind the car cards. It appeared that perhaps the white paint was applied in 1952 when the entire ceiling was painted, and that for 1948 we want a light yellow color, probably the same as the 308. It’s hard to be sure exactly because of the fire damage. And Ralph’s paint book says it was “white”, so who knows?

      7. The paint on the panel over the vestibule door in the smoker is peeling badly; I scraped off a lot of the loose stuff. Not sure why; it may be due to water damage at some time since 1978. Will need to be stripped and repainted.

      8. Rod gave me the interlock part which he had repaired. Thanks!

    2. Misc.:

      1. I went over to check on the 321 and 308. I carried the box of Frank’s books to the wood shop and left it there, at Barb’s direction.

      2. Talked to Jeff Brady and looked at the 28 some more.


  1. Tuesday, December 26

    1. 309:

      1. I took nine 309 exterior windows from the 308 and moved them to the wood shop for repainting.

      2. Work on the toilet compartment: I made two trim strips for the sides of the vistadome frame and installed them. Also had to trim the piece of door skin on the transverse wall above the 80” molding. The 80” molding over the door was trimmed and installed parallel to the floor, and the transverse molding piece was reset so it is also parallel to the floor. Unfortunately, the words “Please Keep Your Feet Off Seats” were parallel to the molding, not the floor, so now they are obviously at a slant. Ugh.

      3. I put a first coat of white primer on the new vistadome trim strips, plus the trim pieces around the toilet door inside the compartment. Then a first coat of brown primer on the lower part of those strips, where it will be painted black.

      4. I worked some more on getting the drop sash in the end doors to work. I examined the #1 door more closely; there’s no clearance problem with the trim strips on the lower sash, which would indicate they should be functional. So far, however, I have been unable to free it up completely. On the #2 end, I sanded down the protruding strips some more so the sash now drops all the way. Needs to be painted. Also, I need two sash lifts for moving the upper sash.

      5. Sanded down and stained the upper rail of the drop sash at the #2 end, since it had been hidden all these years.

    2. Misc.:

      1. I took the two doors for the 205 which I had made and put them in the car. Also dropped off the roll of seat material in the 321.

      2. Brought out a pan of brownies for the guys. I talked to Nick about the land acquisition fund and made a donation.


  1. Friday, December 29

    1. 309:

      1. I made mortises for the sash springs on the sides of the six 318E windows in the shop.

      2. Sanded down all the exteriors and a first coat of Fleet Grey on the nine 309 exterior windows in the shop.

      3. I freed up the drop sash at the #1 end. The #2 end windows were removed from the door.

      4. I went to the container to look for sash lifts. I found that one of the 310 vestibule doors still had one; it was cleaned up and installed on the #1 end door.

      5. I also looked at motors in the new container. The motors from the 309’s #1 truck appear to be behind the 318 spares; the good one is probably the third, but I didn’t have access to the megger to check.

      6. Some more trimming on the ceiling panels.

      7. Sanded down the window sill in sectors 3 and 4, plus the belt rail.


at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please identify yourself with a name of some sort in your comment. Completely anonymous comments will be deleted. Thanks!