Can anybody here provide some recent information about the progress that the IRM Diesel Department has made with their ambitious restoration agenda over the past few months? Their website has not been updated since 2/18/02.

Thanks,
Tom


IRM Diesel Department
rrhistorian@hotmail.com

Here's a brief account of what's been happening in the Diesel Department:

Milwaukee Road HH660 1603 - most painting work was wrapped up by June, although some lettering still has to be done and minor touch-up is needed. The unit is totally painted in the 1940's orange, maroon and grey livery. The prime mover was made operational, and was run a few times. It has been discovered that a few of the cylinders will need new gaskets. Other miscellaneous work, like refinishing the cab interior, is ongoing

Milwaukee Road E9A 33C - this has been one of the more active projects. Extensive restoration work has been done on this unit in preparation for repainting. The nose has been stripped and Bondoed, with several pieces of rusted sheet steel removed and replacements welded in. New side doorframes and step pockets have had to be fabricated, and on one side they have been installed. The side framing has been needle-chipped and primed.

Milwaukee Road U25B 5056 - mechanical work on this unit continues. The fan gearbox, which was seized, was dissassembled, cleaned and reassembled. A good deal of air piping work has been done. Welding work at the front of the locomotive has also been done to replace rusted-out sections. It is hoped to get this unit running sometime in 2003 or 2004.

C&NW GP7 1518 - extensive frame work has been done on the first GP7 ever built. The side sills were almost rusted through from the front of the unit back to the bolster; several feet of both side sills have been replaced with heavy C-channel. Also, the framing for the short hood and cab was rusted out at the floor; rusted framing in the short hood has been replaced, and in the cab replacement is about half accomplished.

Burlington SD24 504 - the repainting project for this unit is ongoing; removal of various components for sand-blasting and priming continues. Electrical work has also been done.

Union Pacific "doodlebug" M35 - most of the work on this unit is currently concentrating on the roof. All roof boards have been removed, as have the rotted wood parts of the carlines. The steel carline cores have been needle-chipped and primed, and patterns have been made for fabricating new wooden carline components.

Also, there are many smaller projects that are receiving attention. Most involve operational maintenance and minor repairs; Burlington E5A saw some electrical work early in the year, one of the BNSF Executive E/F-units received a rebuilt HEP unit, the Milwaukee Road FP7 is seeing some attention to stave off rust damage, etc, etc. Hope this helps!

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

Hi Frank,

Thank you very much for the diesel update. You wouldn't happen to have the update for the electric department?

Charles

bg23338@binghamton.edu

> Thank you very much for the diesel update.
> You wouldn't happen to have the update for
> the electric department?

I'm gonna make you sorry you asked that one!!!

CA&E 308 - The rebuilding of one end is nearly done; floor and posts are replaced, exterior siding is replaced and interior siding is nearly finished. The second end window was just installed last week, and train door work is ongoing. Interior work is also being done, as is preparatory electrical and air work. The car will be in regular service in 2003 with 309.

CA&E 309 - Money was raised for traction motor rebuilding work; two GE 66 motors were sent out and rebuilt. They will be put back in one of the car's trucks late this year or early next year.

CA&E 431 - All side windows were replaced following refurbishing. Vestibules are being repainted, and lettering work is scheduled for 2003.

CNS&M 763 - Truck work is done, wheel work is upcoming. Electrical work is ongoing, and one control cab has been torn apart, refurbished and is being put back together.

CNS&M 801-802 - Motor work has been done, but more is required. Electrical component work is ongoing, and one end car is having rusted carlines repaired.

CCW 300 - All cab windows have been replaced, cab interior parts are being replaced or refurbished as needed.

ComEd 4 - The cab has been repainted.

CSS&SB 40 - Interior work is ongoing.

CTA 460 - This car has been repainted.

CTA 4146 - Most work is concentrating on the interior - seat frames are being disassembled, refurbished, and reinstalled. Welding work on the roof is also being done.

CTS 4223 - Body work is nearly complete; step wells are being welded in, roof monitor is about to be removed so that the car can be painted in 2003 or perhaps 2004. Work on electrical components is essentially done.

LSE 810 - One end has been completely resheathed; work is turning to the other end.

Michigan Electric 28 - Work on rebuilding the rear vestibule continues. All-new steel sections have been fabricated and will be riveted in during coming months. Woodwork is also being done.

Milwaukee Electric 972 - Interior work is essentially complete; one truck was torn apart, worn parts rebuilt or replaced, and the truck reassembled. Two motors have been rebuilt, two more are in the shop. Surface prep is being done so that the car can be repainted in 2003.

Milwaukee Electric D13 - One cab has been disassembled, rotted wood frame members replaced, and reassembled. New cab doors and windows are being made.

Milwaukee Electric F208 - Air repiping work is ongoing.

Milwaukee Electric L4 - This locomotive was inspected, a few parts were replaced and it was declared operational.

Sand Springs 68 - Truck work is done on one truck, and motor work is done except for some minor bearing issues. Control work has been done, as has some window-post patching.

West Towns 141 - Corner post work is done, as is end framing and end sheet work; the car was painted during the summer and lettering is ongoing. Truck work is done; the car should be retrucked in 2003. Current work concentrates on rebuilding the electrical and brake systems.

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

> I'm gonna make you sorry you asked that
> one!!!

Believe it or not, he actually missed a couple:

CTA 4410 - Exterior repairs and repainting

CTA 6000s - One car is having new side panels installed, but I don't remember which one.

CRT 1754 - Mechanical and/or electrical work

And I too may have missed something.

> Believe it or not, he actually missed a
> couple:

> CTA 4410 - Exterior repairs and repainting

> CTA 6000s - One car is having new side
> panels installed, but I don't remember which
> one.

> CRT 1754 - Mechanical and/or electrical work

> And I too may have missed something.

And if anyone gets the impression from the last few posts that our volunteers at IRM work damn hard--you're right!

Kevinmccabe@avenew.com

Kevan et al,
Thannks for all the postings! The web site is badly outdated; shop news from 2/02 Terrible!

with so much going on; you should give the rest of us a chance to watch and clap for you!

Ted Miles


ted_miles@nps.gov