Lots of Inside Projects at HVRM 1-24-2015

Greetings,
 
Arrived late yesterday morning, as I slept in some. Getting up at 4:30am daily gets
to be old real fast. Busy days driving school bus during the week, an even afterschool.
 
As I drove up, noticed Mark Kniebel doing some track inspection on the C&I. Not much
activity outside, but plenty going on inside the shop building. Cory & Dave working on
the tool car removing rusted vents along the top side of the car. Using a torch to heat
up the rivets, then knock them off, grinding the metal on the car, putting steel over the
openings, welding them on, an Fred grinding the corners smooth. Intense work standing
on ladders, so the electric man-lift was brought around from the other side of the car.
The lift was used to inspect the roof, finding the corners of the roof rusted out. Joe will make
a replacement metal piece an weld them back on. Nice standing on a flat surface for a
change, makes getting to the roof easy.
 
Joe an Richard were working on the re-wiring project of the ND&W 5332. Lots of wires replaced,
but some are still a mystery.
 
 John an Sparky were working on the belt project inside the ERIE 310. Slow tedious work,
kneeling down, cold building, an hard to get bolts back into correct holes. Alignment still needs
to be done, so the belts are square. The new belts are nice looking an should last a long time.
 
Steve Hendrich was working in Grasselli tower, taking off some sort of metal switch behind
the big levers. Just slow tedious work getting at the bolts securing them. Has 7 or so boxes to
take off, knelling down, bent over, a very hard floor on the knees. Les Beckman assisted in
bolt removal. Temps inside the tower was in the 40's an lots of sun coming thru the windows.
Toilets walls have put up recently, but the door is still  off due to needed window work in the

corner. Lots of mud, but today is getting colder an snow is falling now.

 

Bob Barcus manned the gift shop for the entire day. No visitors today, but a constant stream

of workers coming inside to warm up.

 

Come on out to help inside the shop building, lots of tasks available, sweeping floors,

picking up debris, assisting workers. Learn a new task, welding, torching, metal work.

Grinding on the side of the car will get the rust off from the fire.

 

Have a good week everyone.

 

Tom Travis

Re: Bit of a January thaw at HVRM 1/17/15

Tom -

Thanks for the correction.  I meant to mention the work being done with the replacement belts on the

Erie 310, but just forgot to include it.  My bad!  Thanks also for mentioning Bob Albert and his work

with the scrap pile.

Les    

From: Thomas Travis <wa9ngo@hotmail.com>
To: Tom Mulvaney <kr4bd@aol.com>; Ross C Robinson <restorer@ncf.ca>; Les Beckman <midlandblb@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: HVRM BLOG <wa9ngo.trains@blogger.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2015 10:51 AM
Subject: Bit of a January thaw at HVRM 1/17/15

John LaOrange an Doug K worked on the ERIE 310 putting on new belts either the air
compressor unit or the generator. Don't know if they got all the new belts on or not,
 4 or 5 needed replacing.  
 
Bob Albert has been filling scrap metal dumpsters, first one is about ready to go, an
a couple more are needed for the rest of the scrap.
 
Tom
 
 

Howdy!

Annual Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum membership meeting today at the North Judson Library.  Despite the

event taking a big chunk out of the time during the middle of the day, things still got done at the museum.

Bright sunshine and temps up to 43 degrees, actually melted some of the snow cover.  Sure better than the

frigid temperatures we had earlier in the week.

An effort was made to burn some of the trees and brush that were removed last year during the cleaning of the

old Erie/New York Central wye right-of-way.  Lots of smoke!

Joe Kingsbury and Richard Warner continued their efforts with tracing the wiring on Notre Dame & Western

Porter diesel # 5332. 

Fred Boyer put bondo on the patch that John DeGan welded onto the one end of C&EI tool car # A-1054 last

week.  Photo attached.  Fred also put the correct K4 classification onto C&O Kanawha # 2789.  The engine is

looking better, but still lots to do toward its cosmetic restoration.  As an example, a photo of the cab on the

2-8-4 is also included.

Steve Henrichs continued working on Grasselli Tower.

Annual meeting went well, including the election with all incumbents again re-elected.  The third photo shows

Louise Kingsbury and Judy Boyer checking the membership list and handing out ballots.

Hope everyone has a great week.  The days ARE getting longer, so hang in there!

Les

 

Bit of a January thaw at HVRM 1/17/15

John LaOrange an Doug K worked on the ERIE 310 putting on new belts either the air
compressor unit or the generator. Don't know if they got all the new belts on or not,
 4 or 5 needed replacing.  
 
Bob Albert has been filling scrap metal dumpsters, first one is about ready to go, an
a couple more are needed for the rest of the scrap.
 
Tom
 
 

Howdy!

Annual Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum membership meeting today at the North Judson Library.  Despite the

event taking a big chunk out of the time during the middle of the day, things still got done at the museum.

Bright sunshine and temps up to 43 degrees, actually melted some of the snow cover.  Sure better than the

frigid temperatures we had earlier in the week.

An effort was made to burn some of the trees and brush that were removed last year during the cleaning of the

old Erie/New York Central wye right-of-way.  Lots of smoke!

Joe Kingsbury and Richard Warner continued their efforts with tracing the wiring on Notre Dame & Western

Porter diesel # 5332. 

Fred Boyer put bondo on the patch that John DeGan welded onto the one end of C&EI tool car # A-1054 last

week.  Photo attached.  Fred also put the correct K4 classification onto C&O Kanawha # 2789.  The engine is

looking better, but still lots to do toward its cosmetic restoration.  As an example, a photo of the cab on the

2-8-4 is also included.

Steve Henrichs continued working on Grasselli Tower.

Annual meeting went well, including the election with all incumbents again re-elected.  The third photo shows

Louise Kingsbury and Judy Boyer checking the membership list and handing out ballots.

Hope everyone has a great week.  The days ARE getting longer, so hang in there!

Les

 

Frigid start at HVRM on 1/10/15, but let's not that bit of Pain stop us!

 

Greetings!

These are the days that try men's souls!  Or at least their dedication!

Below zero this morning but I managed to roll out of bed, and head to the museum to try to

attend the Board meeting scheduled for 8:00 a.m.  On the days of these early meetings, I don't

bother with eating at home, but stop and pick up a breakfast sandwich and coffee in Hebron

at the Burger King there.  Surprise...the BK has been closed!  So...welcome to the New Year!

Arrived just after the meeting began.  Lots of procedural stuff, including discussion of the schedules

for the passenger train and guest engineer programs for 2015.

Wandered down to the Shop, where I found Cory Bennett welding on the interior of C&EI kitchen

car # A-1054.  John DeGan was working on a patch on one end of this car.  John stated he was

going to use some carriage bolts as "faux" rivets by removing the 4 edges on the head of the

bolts so that they would fit flush against the new piece he was going to weld in place.  I asked

him if he wanted me to grind off those edges and he said "sure!"  So, started in on that job.

Next to the A-1054, Joe Kingsbury and Rich Warner were trying to run down the wiring in the

ND&W Porter diesel.  Apparently, mice had done a job on the wiring and it is a horrendous puzzle

right now. Lots of tedious work.

Bob Albert was filling the newly arrived dumpster with items from our scrap pile.  The morning's

single digits and stiff breezes made this job not a lot of fun!  Steve Newland later helped with  Bob

with this effort.  

Lunch for todays "light" crew was pizza from the Wooden Nickel.  Great pizza! 

After lunch, Joe and Rich continued their work on the Porter while John cut the patch he was going

to weld into the C&EI car and then drilled holes for the rivets (photo attached).   After some effort,

we finally managed to get the carriage bolts through the holes in the patch and the corresponding

ones in the car body and I crawled under the car and tightened up the nuts.  Steve Newland cleaned

the end step and it was attached and then John welded on the patch (photo).

Although the temp climbed from the 3 below reading of the morning on up to the teens, it was still

cold.  Fortunately, the wood stove in the West Annex got the temp up to 60 degrees.  I've attached

a third photo of the thermometer that's in the original section of the shop and its reading at about

3 o'clock in the afternoon.  A bit of a difference, eh?

Cory and John LaOrange checked out the newly installed brakes on the Payloader.  They work!

Bob Barcus was in the gift shop while Doug and Loretta Kosloske worked in the depot on passenger

train matters.

Others at the museum on this frigid day included Mark Knebel and Bob Jachim.

Well, we are now into the new year.  Come see us when you get the chance.  Members are always

invited to participate.  We'll do our best to keep you active!  Have a great week!

Les      

. 

Last Saturday at HVRM for 2014.....12-27-2014

Greetings to all,

 

Well the end of the year is near, with 2015 looming on the horizon, HVRM is set for

another year with lots of projects planned. Hopefully it will be a successful one.

Today was mild, so a good turnout of members showed up. With soft ground,

track work was a priority with 10 or more ties inserted  between the C&I switch an

the shop lead switch. 7 more ties need to be replaced an this project will be done.

Ties were spiked with the air compressor spike machine. These ties are the last

bunch available till spring time. Cory, Dave, John, Mark, Bob J an myself made out the

crew.

 

Inside the heated shop, with the new wood stove going, work on the ND&W 5332 was

being done. Joe, John Degan, Richard, Steve were replacing wiring destroyed by mice.

The wood stove has had some improvements made, thermostat control for the blower,

some improved electrical connections an spilt wood brought inside an stacked.

 

An outside electrical lamp had died during the week an repairs were needed, so the

manlift was brought around to the east end shop. Cory braved the ascent an taking

the light apart found it full of bugs an a loose electrical connection. Everything cleaned,

connection fixed, a test showed the light worked. So reassembled, manlift was brought

down an parked near the fuel tank.

 

Doug worked on the ERIE 310. Bob Barcus was in the depot. Some brave railfans were

observed walking around the grounds today taking pictures.

 

Have a safe an Happy New Year. I'm ready to go back to work already after getting some

garage an car projects done this past week due to the nice warm temps outside. Wish

the days were longer, but that won't happen for some time yet.

 

Tom 

Light turnout but not light results at HVRM 12/20/14

Seasons Greetings!

Managed to make it down to Hoosier Valley just after the Board meeting started.  Interesting meeting with various discussions including

train shows, next years passenger train schedules, antique bottles, and a number of other things.

Light member turnout, understandable with it being the Saturday before Christmas.  Still, interesting things got done.

Showed up in the West Annex of the Shop, warm from the new wood stove.  Found Fred Boyer applying additional Bondo to the car sides

of our ex-United States Army kitchen car # 325.  This car has an interesting history being sold to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois where it

was first numbered A-1054 and then later renumbered as 88125. The C&EI assigned it as the tool car for the wreck train stationed at Yard

Center in Dolton, Illinois.  After the C&EI was merged into the MP (line to St. Louis and the L&N (line to Evansville), the car ended up as

Missouri Pacific number X15096 before the MoPac decided to break up the work train and the car was sold to a company that performed

wreck train cleanups for the railroad.  Eventually that company donated the car to HVRM.  After a stint as the Diesel Locomotive Department

work car, the museum eventually decided to use the car in conjunction with our Nickel Plate Road lunch car, but a fire in the car has set this

project back as the interior has been destroyed.  There are still plans to use this car as intended, but the interior needs to be completely rebuilt

including a new floor.  I helped Fred today ratcheting the nuts off of old bolts, or on the tougher ones  Fred cut them with his grinder.  The

photo accompanying this report is of Fred working on one end of the car cutting a bolt.  Just before we quit for the day, Fred sanded down

the now dry Bondo he had applied in the morning.  So progress has been made, but there's still a heck of a lot to do!

Progress also made on ND&W #5332, our Porter center cab diesel.  Joe Kingsbury and Rich Warner worked on the Cummins diesels and

tried to get them fired up this afternoon for the first time since Notre Dame donated the unit to the museum.  Well, believe it or not, the one

diesel fired right up!  And eventually the diesel in the other hood, started too!  The unit sounded great!  The confirms the museums opinion

that, although the Porter looks very rough on the outside, it is in very good shape mechanically.

A number of folks dropped by the museum today including Bill Dauber, Chuck Ness, Elmer Mannen and Randall Downs.  Others on hand all

day included Bob Barcus, Dave Cook, Margrett Cook, Mark Knebel, Cory Bennett, Judy Boyer and John LaOrange. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, or whatever you might be celebrating.

Les         

12-13-14, Santa Claus Trains at HVRM

Greetings to All,
 
A nice day for being 12-13-14, mid 40's a nice day for ole Santa to ride the train. Many riders
gathered for the three Santa trains at HVRM today. 336 passengers for the day count, not
bad for only the LIRR coach. Everything ran well, plenty of heat inside, ALCO ERIE 310 performed
well, with GE INTERSTATE STEEL #11 as standby power.
 
Pictures provide by Les Beckman of some projects for the day. First is C&O 2789 sand dome
being brought into the shop building for refurbishing during the wintertime. Cory got the
payloader out of the shed an immediately got the sand dome down to the shop. Set on a couple
of 55 gallon drums, shored up with blocks of wood for easy access. The dome has been outside
for almost 25 years sitting on old ties. The dome will be sanded down, primed an repainted
an eventually lettered for CHESAPEAKE & OHIO 2789. A start to cosmetically restoring 2789,
replacing parts taken off years ago.
 
Yes the new wood burner has been fired an tested with great results. Large amounts of wood
can be put in an with blower system, provide good heat for the building. Brackets were made
an installed on smoke stack to hold it in place, with the manlift. Brackets built & welded
by Cory, Sparky, Dave, myself who burnt his finger tips on the hot steel.
 
Two buckets of ballast were shoveled along the north wall of the shop building to prevent snow
an wind blowing into the heated shop this winter. A 5 man crew made quick work of that job.
 
The old house is now HVRM's north of Bing's. Cory managed to pull trees out of the backyard
lawn an put them in a pile.  A hot water heater was removed for salvage for further use.
Entrance to the basement was uncovered an the gas furnace will be salvaged later. Not much
in the house is useable, but for some kitchen cabinets. NIPSCO has to remove electric line from
pole an remove gas line before demolition begins. No decision made as how the house will
be removed yet. Bing removed bags of moldy clothes from garage an put them in  the dumpster.
No decision on status of garage either if it will be saved.
 
Les Beckman an Fred Boyer worked on the tool car removing some more burnt wood. Judy Boyer
removed more things from the GTW caboose.
 
Next Saturday at 8am is monthly board meeting in the depot waiting room.
 
Be safe driving in the evenings, dark early now.

Tom Travis