Car Shop General Updates Archives - Mid-Continent Railway Museum

A Huge Success – All Hands on Deck Progress Report

Posted on July 3, 2024 by RebeccaJuly 4, 2024

The 5-day long “All Hands on Deck” session held by the MCRM Restoration Department was very successful. The volunteers really did an outstanding job and performed an immense amount of work in a matter of a few days.

The tremendously successful “All Hands on Deck” Session was held during June 26th to the 30th and we had a total of 32 different volunteers participating in the event, with an average of 20 volunteers per day. In total the volunteers put in over 800 hours of work during this session.

Anyone walking in the MCRM Car Shop after this event will notice a significant difference in the appearance of the cars that were worked on. The progress made during this session exceeded the expectations and this was achieved due to the support, commitment and hard work of the volunteers. Progress made during the 5-day All Hands on Deck Session is summarized below. Note that several of the photos capture the status of the projects before and after the All Hands on Deck session.

Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Sleeping car DULUTH: Installed new veneer pieces under the windows in the smoking room and one in the sleeping compartment, installed the new window header (veneer with marquetry) in the smoking room, installed the headliner trim on the west side of the smoking room, applied canvas and painted to the two headliners for the smoking room (east side), installed filler pieces in the sleeping compartment lamp openings, installed cleats along the edge of the original veneer ceiling panels in the sleeping compartment, installed one new piece of bending plywood in the sleeping compartment ceiling, removed the remaining clerestory window frames from the car, primed and cut new car siding to length, installed a portion of the car siding on the east and west sides (approximately 30%) and took delivery of three new interior doors, two mirror frames and four vestibule end windows.

*Duluth sleeping compartment ceiling BEFORE AHOD*.

*Duluth smoking room east wall BEFORE AHOD*.

Removing clerestory windows in the Duluth during the AHOD

East Jordan & Southern #2: Painted the entire exterior of the car with the EJ&S green, sanded and varnished the interior the entire passenger section of the car as well as the saloon (multiple coats), installed the lower inner window stops, painted the brake beams, trimmed bolts to length under the car, sanded the seat footrests and cleaned and painted the car body end rails.

Lake Superior & Ishpeming #64: Reconstructed the car framing for the two oval windows, installed the car siding around the two oval windows, installed the last of the straight battens on the car, primed the entire exterior of the car, cut and fit the window frames on the east side of the car, primed ten of the window frames, sanded much of the interior woodwork, cleaned and painted the car body end rails and cleaned up springs for the window frames.

*The LS&I #64 east side oval window BEFORE the AHOD*.

*Priming the LS&I #64 during the AHOD session*.

Rock Island #1094: Removed the last of the cabinets and sink in the baggage room, scraped and painted the north half of the baggage room including the clerestory area, the water tanks and the side walls. Reconstructed the south doorway in the bunk area, replaced missing and deteriorated headliner boards in the bunk area and baggage room and made a mockup of the bunk side rails.

*The status in the Rock Island baggage room BEFORE the AHOD*.

I’d like to thank all of the amazing volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of work during the past 5 days! Special thanks are also extended to the volunteers that prepared all of the meals for the entire crew during the session as well as the MCRM operating crew that took the group on the Pizza Train ride.

Volunteers participating in the event included: Peter, Jeff Ha., Owen, Judy, Darryl, Larry S. Jack, Jerry F., Fred, Bob R., David P., Gregg, Jane, Steven M., Larry T., Steve W., Bob B., Dean, Jerry M., Marty, Thomas, Altha, Kelly, Nate, Jay, Steve P., Dan P., Colton, Jeff Hu., David M., John T. and I. Please accept my apologies if I omitted the name(s) any of the volunteers that participated.

*Some of the 32 volunteers that participated in the AHOD session*.

*MCRM Volunteers on an evening excursion to the R&GN*.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in the session and helped to make it a huge success. Our next volunteer work session is scheduled for July 13, 14 and 15.

June 2024 Restoration Work Sessions and All Hands on Deck Announcement

Posted on May 27, 2024 by RebeccaMay 27, 2024

Group photo of some of the volunteers from the
“ALL HANDS ON DECK” session, 2023.

Summer is a busy time at Mid-Continent, as well as in the Restoration Department. Throughout the month of June, volunteers will have several opportunities to take part in helping Mid-Continent to preserve and restore equipment in the Car Shop.

Following is a summary of the dates volunteer work sessions will be taking place in the Car Shop:

June 1^st and 2nd: This session has been added as a result of the MCRM Summer Shindig being held (starts 4 pm on Saturday). Volunteers are needed to assist with the restoration work on the LS&I #64 coach, the DULUTH sleeping car and the EJ&S #2 combine.

June 8^th, 9th and 10th: This session is one of our pre-scheduled volunteer work sessions. Pete B. will need volunteers to assist him with the EJ&S #2 project (on June 9^th and 10^th) and other work will also be taking place in the Car Shop during the three-day session.

June 26^th to the 30th: This is a specially planned session to deliver a lot of results in a short period of time. To date (20) volunteers have signed up to help out during this session known as “ALL HANDS ON DECK”. We are still looking for more volunteers for this session so we can make significant progress that would otherwise take several months to accomplish. The primary projects for this session are the LS&I #64 (fill, sand and priming), the DULUTH (install siding and ceiling work), the EJ&S #2 (interior restoration) and the Rock Island #1094 (interior painting). After a day of work, we’ll be providing meals and have planned after hour activities, including a pizza train ride at MCRM and a train ride/tour at the Riverside & Great Northern RR.

Any and all volunteers are welcome to participate in any or all of these sessions. If you’d like to volunteer for the All Hands on Deck session you must sign up in advance by contacting the MCRM Office at 608-522-4261 or via email at inquiries@midcontinent.org. You can help out on one or multiple days during the session, but please RSVP so we can appropriately plan the work and the meals.

Come join us and give us a hand! With everyone pulling together we’ll make some great progress in the Restoration Department.

Restoration Department Update

Posted on April 16, 2024 by RebeccaApril 16, 2024

The MCRM Restoration Department recently completed a three-day volunteer work session that was held on April 10th-12th. We had a good size crew given that it was held during the week. The volunteers that helped out for this session were Jack, Jerry F, Jerry M., Dean, Karl, Bob R., Richard P., Pete, Larry S., Owen, Tom B., Steve and Bill B. Thanks to this crew we got a lot of work performed and completed.

Following is a brief summary of the progress made during the session:

LS&I #64:

Work continued on cutting and fitting new wood for the exterior of the car. Karl trimmed up the new center window stops and installed them on the car. Bob R. primed all of the new battens for the windows. Jack and Jerry were working on cutting, fitting and installing new windowsills. Two windowsills remain to be cut and fit. They also installed one set of the new battens for the arched windows and sash. During the next session, work will continue on the windowsills and installing more of the window battens.

C&IM #90:

Jerry and Dean continued to install trim pieces and mahogany plywood in the north stateroom. The woodwork in the clerestory area is complete as well as the north and south walls in the north stateroom. Once additional mahogany plywood is purchased the east and west wall will be worked on. In the south stateroom, Steve roughed in the new wiring for the lighting and outlets for the room.

EJ&S #2:

Work continued in the passenger section of the car. Larry S. sanded the recently varnished woodwork while Owen worked on painting pieces of the clerestory trim (two colors). Owen and Bob teamed up to apply two coats of varnish on pieces of walnut trim during the session. Pete and Larry worked on cutting and planning pieces of poplar that will be used for making the seat back frames for the car. Plans call for moving the EJ&S #2 to the north end of the car shop so the car can be accessed easier for painting the exterior of the car. This move is scheduled to take place on April 20th.

DULUTH:

Karl and Bill B worked in the DULUTH smoking room. They cut new headliner panels for the east and west sides as the old pieces were water damaged. Karl also started to remove the remnants of the partition that was embedded in the west wall where the swinging door was mounted.

C&NW #1099:

Richard continued working on restoring and rebuilding the underframe of the narrow gauge combine. His work this year includes installing two new side sills, two new end body beams, two new body bolsters, one new intermediate sill and an all-new subfloor. During the session Richard and Larry S. worked on squaring up the frame in preparation to securing the flooring and side walls to the frame.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Bob installed the new springs on the National vestibule traps on the north end of the Badger #2 Fish car. The springs are part of a system that help lift the traps up, when opening, as well as prevents the traps from free falling when closing.

Larry T. is continuing to strip the old finish off the woodwork inside the GN A-22 “Hill” car. Larry is presently working in the state room and has also been working in the garage end of the car. He has been making good progress and he has been uncovering some beautiful mahogany along the way.

*Newly installed spring on the Fish car trap*.

*Work progressing inside the garage end of the A-22 “Hill” car*.

Upcoming work sessions include one on April 26, 27 and May 3, 4 and 5. The May 3-5 session is in conjunction with the “Spring Fling” event on May 4th. We’d really like to have a good turnout for the Spring Fling weekend as we have a number of projects that we need help with. You can register for the Spring Fling here: https://form.jotform.com/240655916920157

If you would like to help out in our restoration department, please reach out to the Mid-Continent office at 608-522-4261 or email inquiries@midcontinent.org.

2024 Restoration Department Work Session Dates Announced

Posted on February 11, 2024 by RebeccaFebruary 22, 2024

Mid-Continent’s Restoration Department has released its 2024 work session schedule. These work sessions are a great way to get involved at Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Our doors are open to anyone willing to give us a hand and help us with the restoration work. Give us a hand for a day or several days throughout the summer. Every bit of help makes a difference and is appreciated. We have a wide range of needs (i.e. painting, cleaning, stripping, wood work, roofing, refinishing, upholstery, metal work, and more) and everyone can be a help.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out! To be placed in contact with Bill Buhrmaster, MCRM’s Restoration Manager, send call the museum office at 608-522-4261.

Session #	Dates
	February TBD (Set by emails)
	March TBD (Set by emails)
1	March 2-3
2	April 10-11-12
3	April 26-27
4	May 3-4-5 Spring Fling (Museum-wide Volunteering Day): May 4
5	May 17-18-19
6	June 8-9-10
7	June 26-27-28-29-30 2024 All Hands on Deck
8	July 13-14-15
9	July 26-27-28
10	August 10-11-12
11	August 23-24-25
12	September 13-14-15
13	September 27-28-29-30 Vintage Rail Car Tours: September 28-29
14	October 11-12-13 Autumn Color Weekends: October 5-6 & October 12-13
15	October 25-26-27
16	November 15-16-17
17	November 29-30 & December 1 Santa Express: November 30 – December 1 & December 7-8

End of August Update – Restoration Department

Posted on August 29, 2023 by RebeccaAugust 30, 2023

MCRM Volunteers and Supporters:

The Mid-Continent Railway Museum Restoration Department recently completed a three-day volunteer work session that was held on August 25th through the 27th. We had a good turnout as we had (21) volunteers helping us over the three-day session. The next planned Restoration Department volunteer work session is scheduled for September 8, 9 and 10. Plan on joining us and giving us a hand. We’re continuing to make some great progress and we would welcome your help.

Also mark your calendar to attend the upcoming MCRM Vintage Rail Car Tours scheduled for September 30th and October 1st. We’ve got a great lineup of cars on the tour this year as well as tours through the Restoration Shop. More information about the tours is available by clicking on the following link:

https://www.midcontinent.org/train-ride

The MCRM Restoration Department recently completed a three day volunteer work session that was held on August 25th through the 27th. We had a good turnout for the three day session and we averaged over (13) volunteers per day on restoration projects. The (21) volunteers that helped out for this session were Jack, Jerry F, Mike M., David P., Karl, Jeff Ha., Richard P., Peter B., David M., Jerry M., Steve W., Judy G., Darryl G., Gregg, Jane, Peter S., Ben, Sam, John T, Bob R. and myself. Thanks to this great crew we got a lot of work performed and completed.

Following is a brief summary of the progress made during the session:

LS&I #64:

-Jack delivered four of the recently completed seat back frames that he made in his shop.
-Jack and Jerry cut and fit more of the arched window trim pieces (pork chops) on the east side.
-Mike M. installed the screws in the trim pieces.
-Larry continued to fill and sand the ends of the car and the roof overhangs. To date over 90% of the exterior epoxy repairs have been completed.
-Judy painted the back sides of the pork chops and the balance of the car siding.

The LS&I #64 is coming along and looking better all of the time.

DSS&A DULUTH:

-Karl scraped, filled and sanded the shade boxes for the sleeping compartment windows.
-I stained and sealed wood work on the east and west walls in the sleeping compartment
-Karl and I made an exploratory cut into the upper ceiling panel in the sleeping compartment.
-Karl installed the screws in window post trim pieces, shade box lower rails and the shade bearing blocks.
-Mike continued to take dimensions to finalize the drawings for the four interior doors that need to be replicated.
-Judy performed the final sanding on the shade boxes and the wooden dowels for the berth coat hangers
-Richard continued to remove more of the old material, nails and flashing off of the roof.

EJ&S #2 combine:

-Pete continued to work on the canvas roof replacement project.
-Pete installed a few of the clerestory windows and he applied a fourth and final coat of canvas paint.
-Gregg and Jane assisted Pete by installing some of the clerestory screen blocks that get mounted on the exterior of the clerestory area.

*A pair of the newly installed clerestory windows in the EJ&S #2*.

Chicago and Illinois Midland #90:

-Jerry M. and Dean continued working in the observation room
-They completed installing all of the mahogany plywood in the room
-They installed the new window stop for the observation room end window
-They cut, fit and installed the window post column trim pieces
-With the above work completed the woodwork in the observation room is done and they are now moving onto the state room that is adjacent to the observation room.
-Steve W. continued to work on the electrical scope for the car. This included cleaning out the old wires in the electrical closet and creating a space for the wires to be routed through the dining room.

*Jerry and Dean working inside the C&IM #90 observation room*.

Copper Range #29:

– Darryl painted (cab green) the interior of the new cab windows (engineer’s side) and installed the glass in the two new window frames
-Darryl applied a final coat of black on the exterior side of the window frames.
-Darryl installed the completed windows in the cab.
-This is a nice project to get completed as the locomotive is on display and very visible to the public.

*The new windows installed in the CRR #29*.

C&NW #613:

-David P. scraped and sanded the lower siding on the west side of the car
-John T and David P. painted the lower siding on the west side.
-John T. sanded and painted the two ends and scraped the east side (in process)

Various:

-Jeff Ha. sanded and applied the second coat of varnish to the two toilet rooms in the Great Northern #3261 coach
-David M started to needle scale the trucks for the Cazenovia Southern combine.
-Bob and Richard installed the platform trap hardware on the observation end steps of the Badger #2.
-Richard, Peter S, Ben and Sam helped with the following:

1. Removed the stored steam heat and air brake parts from the Car Shop and moved them to the Storage Building #1.
2. Moved the wooden work platforms and composite wood material to Storage Building #2
3. Disassembled and removed the large metal shelving from the west wall of the Car Shop.
4. Made a trash run to empty all of the Car Shop trash containers that Jeff Ha. moved to the north entrance door.
5.The steam heat pipes and scaffolding that were stored on the west side of the #613 car were moved and placed on the east side of the car. This was done to clean up the area around the car that the public sees.

*Jeff Ha. varnishing inside the GN #3261 toilet room*.

Goodman Lumber Co. #9 Shay:

Work is progressing on installing the new jacketing on the boiler. The jacket pieces were in the process of being fitted and trimmed. By the end of the weekend all of the jacketing is in place and fastened together. Next up is to have the jacketing bands made and installed. Painting of the entire Shay will follow once all of the jacketing work is completed. This work is made possible thanks to donations from numerous donors and a matching donation by Bobbie Wagner.

That’s the latest. Thank you to all of the volunteers for your time and hard work. It is greatly appreciated!!! The next planned Restoration Department volunteer work session is scheduled for September 8, 9 and 10. Plan on joining us and giving us a hand. We’re continuing to make some great progress and we would welcome your help.

Also mark your calendar to attend the upcoming MCRM Vintage Rail Car Tours scheduled for September 30th and October 1st. We’ve got a great lineup of cars on the tour this year as well as tours through the Restoration Shop. More information about the tours is available by clicking on the following link:

https://www.midcontinent.org/train-ride … car-tours/