We're all set to drive up to Mid-Continent Railway Museum next week and pick up the North Shore seats I've been talking about. We can still use your financial help - thanks!!!
I spent most of the day, as usual, painting the main compartment of the 319. This time it was mainly the ceiling. As seen here, another center ceiling panel and the clerestory have been finished.
Among other things, I had to wire-wheel and repaint another buzzer cord hanger, like the one to the left.
The next one in line, however, is different from all the others. The strap is leather, rather than brass, and the castings are completely different. If you look closely, you can see where the screw holes for the original hanger were filled in. So now the question is whether this was replaced prior to July 3, 1957. It's easy to imagine the brass hanger could have been stolen while the cars were stored at Wheaton after service ended, and a replacement was installed at Cleveland. Who would know? I have a replacement of the right sort, and I'm inclined to install it if only because removing the old paint from the leather strap is impossible. And the leather strap is liable to break during revenue service, which would be embarrassing.
Lots of other activities are going on; this one caught my eye. It's sort of a truck kit, located here in our new truck shop. This is for the 972; it's the famous St. Louis EIB (Elliptical Integral Bolster) design. Bob Kutella has more info on the department blog.
I spent most of the day, as usual, painting the main compartment of the 319. This time it was mainly the ceiling. As seen here, another center ceiling panel and the clerestory have been finished.
Among other things, I had to wire-wheel and repaint another buzzer cord hanger, like the one to the left.
The next one in line, however, is different from all the others. The strap is leather, rather than brass, and the castings are completely different. If you look closely, you can see where the screw holes for the original hanger were filled in. So now the question is whether this was replaced prior to July 3, 1957. It's easy to imagine the brass hanger could have been stolen while the cars were stored at Wheaton after service ended, and a replacement was installed at Cleveland. Who would know? I have a replacement of the right sort, and I'm inclined to install it if only because removing the old paint from the leather strap is impossible. And the leather strap is liable to break during revenue service, which would be embarrassing.
Lots of other activities are going on; this one caught my eye. It's sort of a truck kit, located here in our new truck shop. This is for the 972; it's the famous St. Louis EIB (Elliptical Integral Bolster) design. Bob Kutella has more info on the department blog.
It seems like Halloween was only yesterday, and yet everywhere you look people are getting ready for the holidays. IRM is no exception. If you have any young children, the Happy Holidays Railway event is an excellent activity!