Hello folks!
Arrived at the museum this morning about 9:00 a.m. The first train of the day was already at the platform with EL S1 Alco # 310 doing the honors for the day. Nickel Plate flat car (open car) # 1946 was in the consist, added yesterday for the special trains for kids from the North Judson and La Crosse libraries. This was the second special run day for the week. This past Monday we hosted a La Crosse round trip for the Lionel Collectors of America as part of their Annual Meeting which was held in Indianapolis this year. I believe that we had about 70 folks for that trip. Not sure what the total was for the Library special.
Tom Travis was already hard at work on the C&O garage which we use for our Payloader. The building is one of three that were donated by CSX way back in 1991 and moved from their original locations on the west side of the old C&O tracks onto museum property. The buildings have not weathered well and the one now used as the Museum Secretary's office was repaired and resided in metal last year. It was decided to try to repair the garage and keep its original board and batten wood siding. A number of boards have been replaced and the batten replicated. It's a tiring effort and Tom has been doing with wonderful job. I helped him with various aspects today. Tom doesn't drive his school bus routes in the summer of course, and does work on the project on certain days during the week. Additional hands would be welcome. No experience is necessary! I've included a photo of Tom doing some of the priming earlier today.
Also, Steve Henrichs completed the cleaning and painting of the long pipes holding the electrical wires for the levers in Grasselli Tower. I helped Steve carry one of these long pipes upstairs while Steve Newland (younger and stronger!) managed the other one by himself. The photo shows the one pipe laying on the floor of the tower with the other one on the floor behing me. Steve Henrichs now believes that a third pipe may have been in the location between these two pipes, but he had not located it in our stock of items that we brought to the museum when Grasselli was moved. We don't know if the IHB had taken it out before the tower was given to us, or if we might have misplaced it. It's big and heavy, so I have my doubts about a misplacement. But, who knows? If anyone knows anything, please advise!
A number of visitors and train riders today, from as far away as New Jersey! Always good to see.
The "Gandy Dancer" crew of John LaOrange, Cory Bennett, Dave Cook and Mark Knebel were out working on track again today on the east end of the museum property.
Sparky Byers and Rich Warner worked on the tamper in the Shop in the morning and it was available for the track gang after lunch.
Margrett Cook had jumbo hot dogs, potato salad and a number of other goodies for lunch. Yum!
Bob Albert continued with the replacement of certain crossing bucks out on the line.
Mark Knebel has finished giving the museum depot its new coat of gray and white. Looks good!
Our moderate July temps continue to which I can only give Mother Nature a big, THUMBS UP!
Tom and I packed up and I signed out at 4:30 p.m. A rather long day!
Enjoy the upcoming week everyone!
Les
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