Author Archives: Jeffrey Lentz

Friends & Neighbors Days

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Come discover the nationally-renowned railroad museum in your own backyard! Mid-Continent Railway Museum appreciates the support of our nearby communities and wants to thank you with discounted train rides during our FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS DAYS.

Residents within the school district of REEDSBURG, WI are invited to join us for a discounted train ride on JULY 13, 2019 while residents living within the BARABOO, WI school district can enjoy discounted fares on AUGUST 10, 2019.

Just show the ticket agent your ID with Baraboo or Reedsburg-area address on the appropriate day and receive special pricing: $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12). This is 50% off our regular fares. Train rides depart at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.

As part of the Freedom Day Celebration on July 27th in our hometown of North Freedom, residents with a North Freedom address can show an ID to receive a free train ride July 27th and 28th.

No reservations are necessary. Discounts apply to Coach Class tickets only and can only be redeemed on the appointed day.

Thanks for being our neighbor!

EJ&S #2 Restoration Update – July 3, 2019

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Work on the East Jordan & Southern #2 continues at a steady pace. This past weekend we had a great turnout during the work session, allowing us to work on several projects including the EJ&S #2 which was led by Pete B. and Bill. F.

Work focused on the west side of the car. Tasks included installing the window sills, window lentils, and the panels between the windows. New window stops for the west side of the car were also produced and all the pieces primed.

Pete B. making more progress on the EJ&S #2. Bill Buhrmaster photo.

EJ&S #2 Restoration Update – June 17, 2019

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In the May work session we decided to remove the west side letter board, siding above the window sill and the window sill. Work was then started on fabricating new window sill material.

During the June 14 and 15th work session work on the window sill was completed. This included fastening an inner trim piece to the sill and then attaching the sill to the belt rail. The next steps include installing new siding above the window sill and re-installing the top fascia and letter board.

Peter B.
Restoration Department

Mid-June 2019 Boiler Progress

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Chicago & North Western #1385’s boiler continues to see steady progress. Since the last update, the boiler has been moved across the Continental Fabricators shop floor and is now on the positioner.  With the boiler now on the positioner, it can be rotated to allow workers to put it into the best position for welding and assembly in areas that would otherwise be difficult to access.

C&NW #1385’s boiler on the positioner at Continental Fabricators. The positioner allows the boiler to be rotated. June 11, 2019. Photo courtesy Continental Fabricators.

Installation of the crown stays is also in process. Crown stays are the staybolts that connect the wrapper sheets – which wrap around the firebox – to the crown sheet (i.e. the top of the firebox). The crown sheet is directly above the fire and is the hottest part of the firebox.

crown sheet diagram

The crown stays (shown in green) support the crown sheet at the top of the firebox, preventing it from bowing inward from the immense pressures.

 

Late-May 2019 Boiler Progress

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Work on Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s Chicago & North Western #1385 locomotive during the month of May has consisted of stay installation, stay installation, and more stay installation. With over 900 staybolts to be applied, this process represents one of the more time-intensive portions of the new boiler production. Each weld must be made with great care and precision to avoid leaks and ensure proper strength when the boiler is under operating pressure.

Continental Fabricator’s Tom G. peered into the belly of the beast on May 29th to take these photos of stay installation progress on the inside of 1385’s firebox.