Author Archives: Jeffrey Lentz

Locomotive Clean Up

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With the C&NW No. 1385 running gear now mostly in pieces, a thorough cleaning of the various parts is now the immediate task ahead. The day’s task called for scraping grease, needle scaling rust, parts washing and other work in preparation for sandblasting. Some rough weather limited volunteer turnout, but a few brave souls braved the elements.

While some went about cleaning duties, others were pulling out their micrometers and measuring eccentric parts. Although large, numerous key parts of steamers such as No. 1385 have incredibly small tolerances and must be machined to to within thousands of an inch of specification in order to be accepted.

Once again, Brian Allen was on hand to photograph some of the day’s activities.

C&NW No. 1385 Task Force member Pete Deets passes along the following message: “Thank you to everyone who braved the elements & changes on the fly. A good day was had by all and parts are a greater step closer to clean enough for inspection. I’m fairly certain there will be another cleaning party but it won’t get planned until after the sandblasting.”

Nancy Kaney and an unidentified volunteer scrape built up grease off the 1385’s driving wheels. Click on the image to browse more photos from the day on photographer Brian Allen’s Flickr album.

First Element of New C&NW No. 1385 Displays Installed

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Visitors to Mid-Continent in 2014 can look forward to new exhibits during their visit. The rebuilt C&NW #1385 tender, delivered in November 2013, now has an accompanying interpretive sign in place. Additional displays about No. 1385 and other museum pieces are also in the works!

Initial response to the new sign has been positive. The C&NW 1385 team received the following message from a Mid-Continent member: “By the way, I don’t know who came up with the new sign for the 1385 tender, but I just wanted to say it’s probably the most professional looking informational sign we have the property!… Please pass my compliments along to whoever designed it.”

For the record, the sign was a collaborative effort between the numerous members of the C&NW 1385 Task Force and volunteers Randy Long and Jeffrey Lentz lending their talents.

New display sign for the C&NW No. 1385 tender, located in the display structure just outside the depot. Photo courtesy of Randy Long.

New display sign for the C&NW No. 1385 tender, located in the display structure just outside the depot. Photo courtesy of Randy Long.

Seeking C&NW 1385 Photos, Videos, Artifacts and More

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Your C&NW No. 1385 Related Items will Help Tell the Locomotive’s Story through Publications, Web Pages, and New Museum Exhibits

CNW 1385 locomotive and logo

 

You can help restore Chicago & North Western No. 1385 to service. How? By sharing any images you control the rights to, moving or still, in nearly any format. Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s 1385 rebuild Task Force is looking for your help in creating displays for public viewing showing the history and life of Mid-Continent’s most famous locomotive.

We are interested in all types of visuals, posters, postcards, photos, video, movies (yes film), paperwork, blueprints, C&NW materials – any and all items that could be connected to the working life of the 1385. We want to tell the story of the life and use of this engine both on the C&NW and at Mid-Continent Railway Museum. Your images will help tell that story.

Graphic Designer and MCRM member Randy Long has offered to scan and then return these items. He can turn just about anything; prints, slides, negatives (color and B&W) and printed materials, into a digital image and can photograph other artifacts that you may have.

Randy can be reached at:

Randy Long
Long & Associates Creative Services
212 East Main Street
Durand, IL 61024

Email: cnw1385@midcontinent.org
Phone: 815-978-6673
Please Note: phone number is for Long & Associates Creative Services. For general museum inquiries, please use the phone numbers provided at left.

The Task Force would like to thank you in advance for your help and support in bring Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s and one of the Midwest’s most famous locomotive back to life. With your help you’ll soon be able to once more hear that Whistle On the Wind.

For a brief history of C&NW No. 1385, visit the Equipment Roster page.

For restoration updates, visit the Steam Status page.

Rest of Wheels Removed During New Years Eve Work Session

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One last work session took place during what has been a very productive year for the C&NW No. 1385. The New Years Eve work session involved the removal of the two remaining driver sets. The rear-most driver was removed prior to shipment to SPEC Machine. To accomplish this, the chassis had to be lifted. Crew members included: Steve Roudebush, Bruce Grill, Ed Ripp, Kyle Gehrke, Robert Hasheider with Brian Allen behind the camera.

The remaining driving wheels were freed from the chassis during work December 31, 2013. Kyle Gehrke (left) and Ed Ripp (right) help gently roll a driver set out from under the frame. A single driver set weights more than many passenger automobiles. Click on the image to browse more photos from the day on photographer Brian Allen’s Flickr album.

December 23rd Meeting and Work Session

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While many people are out trying to finish their last minute holiday shopping, our team gathered at SPEC Machine for a progress meeting and work session. View full album by clicking on the photo.

Project leaders and contractors meet to discuss progress to date and the challenges ahead. From left to right, Steve Sandberg – consultant, Bobbie Wagner – 1385 Task Force Member, Mike Wahl – 1385 Project Manager, Chris Zahrt – project volunteer, Steve Roudebush – SPEC Machine, Bruce Grill (background) – SPEC Machine. Photo by Brian Allen. Click on the image to browse more photos from the day on photographer Brian Allen’s Flickr album.