Gregg Wolfersheim reports on his latest project: rebuilding our Illinois Terminal line car, the 1702. This is a daunting task and it's great to see one of the younger guys taking it on!
Some views of the latest project I'm working on for the Car Department: Illinois Terminal 1702, the line car obtained in 1958, hasn't had much done to it since the early '80's. Looking at the south side of the car we see its shabby condition:
This line car was built out of an older passenger car in 1922 by the ITC. It has typical wooden construction, which after a hundred years is rotting out.
In this final pic, one can see the lower/outer frame member melting away. This will be removed this week and a new beam eventually installed. The new beam material was acquired this past Thursday.
What's the goal for the 1702? Cosmetic or operational restoration?
ReplyDeleteC Kronenwetter
I like seeing the original N.Chicago collection getting attention . The oldest cars in the IRM collection deserve love !
ReplyDeleteRandy Stahl
In reply to Chuck's question, I'm told that it is the intention to make the 1702 an operating line car, as it would be more convenient than pushing the 604 back and forth with a locomotive. And generally speaking, I certainly concur with Randy's sentiments about the oldest cars in the collection.
ReplyDeleteIf there is renewed interest in fixing up original North Chicago cars, how about the two TM cars?
ReplyDeleteC Kronenwetter
I'll second the Milwaukee cars but I was thinking about the IT Birney. Those things seemed to be in every little town across the country that had a population of 10,000 or more yet there are so few left.Its hard to believe that out of tens of thousands only one or two remain.
ReplyDeleteRandy
Both the TM cars and the IT Birney pose very serious challenges, or they would have been restored long ago. But they have not been forgotten.
ReplyDelete