Greetings to all,
Saturday was a nice day at HVRM, but not much in the way of activity.
Actually 8 June is my Birthday and will be 65, WOW hard to imagine I have
made it that far. Many miles have passed over the last 20 some years
driving bus, and before that many places all over the world in the US Navy.
So what is the future, well just keep going and do what I want to. I heard
today that the oldest man in the United States died in NYC, 116 years old,
not that I will make it that far, but would be interesting. I now have the
power to buy train tickets on NICTD and METRA at half price, guess I will
be making a lot of trips to Chicago.
Upon arrival at the HVRN shops a crew was working on some picnic benches.
Cory, John, Dave, were beefing up 2 picnic benches that had some problems.
A complete rebuild of the frame with heavy duty screws made them just like new.
That little project took till about lunch.
Steve Hendrics was painting panels from Grasselli tower in the shop area. Noted
that paint on the outside of the tower is bubbling up and not sticking, Has been
repainted a couple of times and same problem. Norwayne will be sending a
paint representative to look at the tower problem and maybe offer a solution. I
can't remember if the tower was stripped of the old paint or not, but the wood will
not accept this new paint on the market, no lead in it anymore.
The GE was the prime mover for the tourist train on all 3 trains. The Alco 310
was checked out last week and nothing was wrong with it. But was not used.
The Chicago group showed up early and had plenty of time to tour the museum
and shop area. Then the trip to La Crosse went off with out any problems. The
20th Century Railroad group departed soon after returning to the depot and
headed down to Monon for the Monon Connection and tour of Dale Wards
museum.
Matt showed up and worked on the semaphore signal near the Erie building.
As noted last week or so, it was not working correctly, but Matt thinks its the
rail joint insulators. Also noted a light bulb was out up on the top, so Matt went
up and halfway up the ladder started to sway, so he came back down and installed
a extension on the ladder buried in 2 feet of dirt, now it is fine to climb up and down.
Matt replaced the bulb in record time. Signal boxes need a good needlegunned
job and primed and repainted, getting a little rusty. The manlift will have to be
brought out to finish up the pole, but it has a flat tire at the present time, pumping
it up may be a solution with a slow leak, if not it will have to be taken off and repaired.
John has been working on the burnt out tool car, taking out more steel and taking
the 2 doors off the tracks inside. Tried to move the doors, but were too heavy. If
the manlift was in service, it would be a good time to give the outside a coat of
primer paint. In fact a lot of equipment needs touch up painting where it has
not stuck on the metal. Les's coach needs some touch up, where on the south
side it has bubbled up and flaked off again. Never ending job of keeping things
looking good.
Mark was out on the CKIN main between North Judson and English Lake remarking
ties with green paint. The newsletter put out by Joe, says that most likely the
tie replacing project will not start till spring 2015. Mark also did some more pole
marking over on the wye properity. Also noted the abandoned house north
of Bings will soon be HVRM's and after all the paper work is complete we will
be able to take it down. A few things need to be done first, gas line will need
to be closed off at the pipe near the road and the electric line taken down
by NIPSCO. Not much is left inside, as when the last person to live in it, took
everything, toilets, tub, sink, cabinets etc. So not much will need to be done.
Cory brought out the pressure water washer to clean off some grease and dirt
off the tie tamper in the afternoon. Some minor issue were also taken care of.
Next weekend is Mint Festval weekend, train rides will be give both Saturday and
Sunday, so if anyone has time to help out, come on down. Volunteers are
needed everywhere at the museum.
I will be gone for a week to Norfolk VA for a week on the beach, so will
not be down on the 28th. Matt told me that he had taken a trip to Spencer NC
for the Streamliner weekend. Outstanding displays and record crowds visited
the museum. He said Clifton Forge VA, the C&O Historical group has a nice
museum to visit. Still in the planning stages is a possible visit to Roanoke VA, VMT.
Everyone have a good week, weather looks good around here. Come on out an
enjoy Fathers Day at HVRM.....
Tom Travis
Saturday was a nice day at HVRM, but not much in the way of activity.
Actually 8 June is my Birthday and will be 65, WOW hard to imagine I have
made it that far. Many miles have passed over the last 20 some years
driving bus, and before that many places all over the world in the US Navy.
So what is the future, well just keep going and do what I want to. I heard
today that the oldest man in the United States died in NYC, 116 years old,
not that I will make it that far, but would be interesting. I now have the
power to buy train tickets on NICTD and METRA at half price, guess I will
be making a lot of trips to Chicago.
Upon arrival at the HVRN shops a crew was working on some picnic benches.
Cory, John, Dave, were beefing up 2 picnic benches that had some problems.
A complete rebuild of the frame with heavy duty screws made them just like new.
That little project took till about lunch.
Steve Hendrics was painting panels from Grasselli tower in the shop area. Noted
that paint on the outside of the tower is bubbling up and not sticking, Has been
repainted a couple of times and same problem. Norwayne will be sending a
paint representative to look at the tower problem and maybe offer a solution. I
can't remember if the tower was stripped of the old paint or not, but the wood will
not accept this new paint on the market, no lead in it anymore.
The GE was the prime mover for the tourist train on all 3 trains. The Alco 310
was checked out last week and nothing was wrong with it. But was not used.
The Chicago group showed up early and had plenty of time to tour the museum
and shop area. Then the trip to La Crosse went off with out any problems. The
20th Century Railroad group departed soon after returning to the depot and
headed down to Monon for the Monon Connection and tour of Dale Wards
museum.
Matt showed up and worked on the semaphore signal near the Erie building.
As noted last week or so, it was not working correctly, but Matt thinks its the
rail joint insulators. Also noted a light bulb was out up on the top, so Matt went
up and halfway up the ladder started to sway, so he came back down and installed
a extension on the ladder buried in 2 feet of dirt, now it is fine to climb up and down.
Matt replaced the bulb in record time. Signal boxes need a good needlegunned
job and primed and repainted, getting a little rusty. The manlift will have to be
brought out to finish up the pole, but it has a flat tire at the present time, pumping
it up may be a solution with a slow leak, if not it will have to be taken off and repaired.
John has been working on the burnt out tool car, taking out more steel and taking
the 2 doors off the tracks inside. Tried to move the doors, but were too heavy. If
the manlift was in service, it would be a good time to give the outside a coat of
primer paint. In fact a lot of equipment needs touch up painting where it has
not stuck on the metal. Les's coach needs some touch up, where on the south
side it has bubbled up and flaked off again. Never ending job of keeping things
looking good.
Mark was out on the CKIN main between North Judson and English Lake remarking
ties with green paint. The newsletter put out by Joe, says that most likely the
tie replacing project will not start till spring 2015. Mark also did some more pole
marking over on the wye properity. Also noted the abandoned house north
of Bings will soon be HVRM's and after all the paper work is complete we will
be able to take it down. A few things need to be done first, gas line will need
to be closed off at the pipe near the road and the electric line taken down
by NIPSCO. Not much is left inside, as when the last person to live in it, took
everything, toilets, tub, sink, cabinets etc. So not much will need to be done.
Cory brought out the pressure water washer to clean off some grease and dirt
off the tie tamper in the afternoon. Some minor issue were also taken care of.
Next weekend is Mint Festval weekend, train rides will be give both Saturday and
Sunday, so if anyone has time to help out, come on down. Volunteers are
needed everywhere at the museum.
I will be gone for a week to Norfolk VA for a week on the beach, so will
not be down on the 28th. Matt told me that he had taken a trip to Spencer NC
for the Streamliner weekend. Outstanding displays and record crowds visited
the museum. He said Clifton Forge VA, the C&O Historical group has a nice
museum to visit. Still in the planning stages is a possible visit to Roanoke VA, VMT.
Everyone have a good week, weather looks good around here. Come on out an
enjoy Fathers Day at HVRM.....
Tom Travis
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