Car Shop General Updates Archives - Mid-Continent Railway Museum

End of August Update – Restoration Department

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Rebecca MaderoAugust 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/

*The Shay jacketing on the fireman’s side*.

I look forward to seeing you at North Freedom.

Bill Buhrmaster
MCRM Restoration Dept.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum excited to announce $5,000 Grant from NRHS

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Rebecca MaderoJune 1, 2023

Mid-Continent Railway Museum has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Railway Historical Society. This grant will be utilized for the reproduction of 16 seat bottoms and back cushions needed to complete the restoration of the East Jordan and Southern No. 2 combination car. This car is the oldest in our museum’s collection, and we are thrilled to be able to begin the last step of this car’s restoration journey.

#2 while in service. Date unknown. Location is alongside the EJ&S’s East Jordan depot. Date unknown; L.B. Herren photo; Ted Schnepf collection, from Paul Swanson.

About the East Jordan and Southern No. 2 Car

East Jordan and Southern No. 2 was originally built in Nov. 1864 as first-class coach No. 112 for the Grand Trunk Railroad of Canada and operated between Detroit and Port Huron. The coach was renumbered 585 and received a major rebuild in 1889 to update its appearance and give it new mechanical gear. After refurbishment by Hicks Locomotive and Car works the coach came to the EJ&S in April 1902. In 1919 it was rebuilt as a baggage coach combination car by the EJ&S. The combine remained in service until 1961 when the line was abandoned. East Jordan and Southern No. 2 was acquired by the museum in 1963 and it has been at Mid-Continent for the past 60 years.
EJ&S No. 2 is one of the oldest passenger cars surviving in the United States. While the exterior has been considerably altered by two significant rebuilds, the interior of the passenger section still has the character and woodwork of the 1864 car. The plan is to restore the interior to that of an 1860s car which will be unique among the collection at our museum. No seats were in the car when it arrived at the museum. We must reproduce seats typical of the time which have cast iron frame parts and cushions made with plush mohair upholstery.
Restorations on the EJ&S No. 2 has been progressing since its start in 2014. Work thus far has included replacement of the side sills. Along with the rebuilding of the “east side” wall structure, windows, baggage doors, steps, and end platforms. The siding has been replaced thanks in part to a 2015 grant from the NRHS, and as for the interior woodwork, it has been stripped and is waiting to be refinished.
The remaining work includes installing canvas roof covering, clerestory screens, as well as installation of the window, doors, blinds, and interior hardware. The last step is reproducing and installing the seats in the passenger section of the car, and with help from this grant, it can now move closer to being completed.

How to Help this Project Move Forward

Thanks to the NRHS, we have some additional help in finishing this project. However, the full cost of this project still exceeds the amount we’ve been given. In total, the full cost of the seats will be around $30,750. If you would like to help us reach this goal, please donate at the link below.

Donate to East Jordan & Southern #2 Project
(credit/debit card or PayPal account)

Donate to East Jordan & Southern #2 Project
(printable donation form)

About the National Railway Historical Society

The National Railway Historical Society is a non-profit organization that supports the preservation projects of trains, railways and stations with thousands of dollars awarded in Heritage Grants. This organization was founded in 1935 by rail historians and has since grown from a small group of 40 founding members. Today, they have over 13,000 members, who include men and women of all ages. Thus, making it the largest rail preservation and historical society.

About the Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society–also known as Mid-Continent Railway Museum–is an outdoor, living museum and operating railroad recreating the small town/short line way of life during the “Golden Age of Railroading,” with operating trains, educational exhibits, and displays of restored rolling stock. In 2023 Mid-Continent will be celebrating its 60th anniversary of sharing railroad history with museum visitors.

2023 Restoration Department Work Session Dates Announced

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Jeffrey LentzJune 6, 2023

Mid-Continent’s Restoration Department has released its 2023 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 No.	Dates
1	February 24-25-26-27
2	March 9-10-11
3	March 24-25-26
Extra	NEWLY ADDED DATES!!! April 4-5-6
4	~~April 14-15-16~~ REVISED DATES!!! April 21-22-23
5	April 28-29-30
6	~~May 10-11-12~~ REVISED DATES!!! May 5-6-7 May 6th is the museum-wide SPRING FLING volunteering day
7	May 26-27-28 Volunteer Open House May 27th
Extra	NEWLY ADDED DATE!!! June 6th
8	~~June 10-11-12~~ REVISED DATES!!! June 9th and 10th
Extra	NEWLY ADDED DATE!!! June 17th
9	June 21-22-23-24-25
10	July 7-8-9
11	July 22-23-24
12	August 4-5-6
13	August 25-26-27
14	September 8-9-10
15	Sept 29-30, Oct 1-2 Vintage Rail Car Tours Sept 30-Oct 1
16	October 13-14-15
17	October 27-28-29
18	November 17-18-19
19	December 1-2-3

2022 Restoration Department Work Session Dates Announced

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Jeffrey LentzApril 7, 2022

Mid-Continent’s Restoration Department has released its 2022 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 Restoration Manager, send us a message using the below form or call the museum office at 608-522-4261.

Session Number	2022 Work Session Dates
1	February 19-20
2	~~March 11-12-13~~ Rescheduled to March 17-18-19 due to weather
3	March 25-26-27
4	April 8-9-10-11
5	April 22-23-24
6	May 14-15-16
7	June 3-4-5
8	June 24-25-26
9	July 8-9-10
10	July 23-24-25
11	August 5-6-7
12	August 20-21-22
13	September 9-10-11
14	September 24-25
15	September 30-October 1-2
16	October 14-15-16
17	October 28-29-30
18	November 11-12-13
19	December 2-3-4

Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic DULUTH Sleeping Car Restoration 2021 Progress Report

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Jeffrey LentzFebruary 4, 2022

Very good progress was made on the DULUTH project in 2021 thanks to a great crew of volunteers, contractors and hired help. The primary focus was to work on restoring the 10-section sleeping compartment but a lot of other areas and parts of the car were also worked on during the year. The most noticeable progress on the car has to be the interior woodwork that has been stripped of its 120 year old varnish and shellac. What has reappeared is beautiful mahogany and marquetry throughout the car. Another significant milestone for 2021 was the upper sleeping berths and lower berth seat ends, as they were completed and delivered to the museum. This included six replicated upper berths and four restored (original) upper berths. The berths are absolutely beautiful and we look forward to the day when they are reinstalled in the car. Underneath the car significant progress was made the air and hand brakes. As of the end of the year we now have functioning air brakes and the hand brake system is 95% complete.

Photos and additional information on the progress made on the DULUTH Project during 2021 follows.

Berths

View of the sleeping compartment showing the woodwork that has been stripped during 2021

Completed the construction and finishing (staining/varnishing) of the (6) new upper berths
Completed the construction and finishing (staining/varnishing) (6) new lower berth seat ends
Applied final finish (stain/varnish) to the (4) original upper berths
Delivered all of the completed berths, seat ends, seat cushion frames to the museum

One of the original upper berths after being restored and following fresh coats of stain and varnish.

Interior

All of the old finish (shellac) has been removed from the existing woodwork in the sleeping compartment, men’s smoking room and the women’s toilet room. This work was performed by hired help due to the extensive scope of this work and the large number of work hours required.
All of the clerestory windows were removed from the car. New windows are being made as the railroad revised the design of these windows and eliminated the original stained glass.
Sent out 100+ pieces of interior trim and wood parts to be chemically stripped
(12) sets of new seat cushion frames were made. Each set includes a head rest, seat back and seat bottom
(12) sets of seat cushion support frames and seat back top rails were made
(12) pairs of seat cushion support blocks were made and finished
Test fit the revised berth partition overlay piece (prototype)
Material was purchased for reproducing the headliners in the car

A portion of the end door after being stripped.

Mirror frame in the process of being replicated. Original frame (top) and replicated marquetry for a new frame (bottom).

Men’s Smoking Room

Volunteers have further developed the drawings for the missing Smoking Room and Men’s Toilet walls
Removed the deteriorated headlining panel along the east wall.
Ordered a replacement wall panel (for above the three windows) that had significant water damage

The east wall of the smoking room showing the headliner and upper wall panel removed.

Exterior

Continued to remove the roof material (rolled asphalt and tar) off of the car. The roof is presently approximately 75% stripped and the majority of the wood on the roof deck appears to be in very good condition
(9) new oval window frames (mahogany) were made
(25) new outer window frames (mahogany) were made
160 feet of new poplar window sills have been made for the car at an area technical college
We have started to remove some of the deteriorated wood siding and trim from the car

Air and Hand Brakes

Completed the fabrication and installation of all of the air brake cylinder levers and rods
Tested the functionality of the air brakes
Finalized the hand brake system design
Completed the installation of all of the hand brake levers, rods , supports and guides under the car
Remaining work on the hand brakes involves installing the hand brake levers (handles), stems and support bracket in each vestibule

Two of the new brake cylinder levers that were made. The steel levers are 1 inch thick and 36 inches long.

Parts and Hardware

Cleaned, restored and delivered over 400 pieces of berth and sleeping compartment hardware
Presently 95% of the berth and sleeping compartment hardware has been obtained, reconditioned and restored
Cleaned and restored the hardware and rollers for the (25) window shades
Secured a Baker heater for the car. The original one had been previously removed from the car

Planning

Updated the list of the sleeping compartment work tasks and sequence of activities
Obtained a proposal for reproducing additional wood parts for the car
Updated the three year restoration plan
Developing 2022+ grant requests

Fundraising

A total of $35,185.12 was donated (plus $1,000 pledge) to the DULUTH Project during Nov. 1, 2020-Oct. 31, 2021 fiscal year.
The DULUTH Sleeping Car “Matching Your Funds Drive” campaign kicked off in 2Q 2021 and met its goal in the 4Q of 2021 by raising a total of $30,000
The “Giving Tuesday Fundraising Challenge” held on November 30, 2021 raised a total of $2,200

Financial

A total of $41,851.79 was expended on the project during the Nov. 1, 2020-Oct. 31, 2021 fiscal year. This is a combination of labor, contractor and material costs.
In 2021 Volunteers logged (418) man hours of time on the DULUTH project.

Report by
William Buhrmaster
MCRM Restoration Department
January 8, 2022

This report is also available as a PDF.

2021-DULUTH-Progress-Report Download

Mid-Continent Railway Museum

North Freedom, Wis.

Category Archives: Car Shop General Updates