In 2020 worked progressed on several fronts on the DULUTH project but the overall progress was less than planned due to the pandemic. The primary focus continues to be working on restoring the 10-section sleeping compartment. The three month shut down at the museum impacted work on site and the off-site contract work on the berths. While the work onsite was negatively impacted progress on projects being worked on by volunteers at their homes proved to be productive. Following is a brief summary of the progress made on the DULUTH sleeping car during 2020. The list includes work performed on the car (at North Freedom), in contractor’s facilities and by MCRM volunteers at their homes.

Fundraising:

• The “Buy-A-Berth” fundraising campaign that kicked off in 3Q 2019 met its goal in the 1Q of 2020 by raising $25,687.
• The Giving Tuesday Fundraising Challenge held on December 2, 2020 raised a total of $2,240
• A total of $10,044 was donated by (19) donors to the DULUTH project in 2020

Berths:

• Completed the construction of (6) new upper berths
• Completed the construction of (4) new lower berth seat ends
• Stripped the old finish off of (4) original upper berths and (2) lower berth seat ends
• Removed existing sleeping compartment hardware (i.e.: hinges, pulleys, latches, curtains, etc.) from the car for reconditioning
• Cast and polished replica brass claw feet (Qty. 8) for the seats ends

Sleeping Compartment:

• Removed the deteriorated veneer headlining (lower roof) panels from inside the car
• Removed all of the existing seat cushions (backs, bottoms and head rests) from the sleeping compartment of the car
• Secured samples of missing woodwork and parts that need to be reproduced
• Cut and fit the prototype berth partition overlay pieces

Exterior:

• Removed all of the window sills from the car. The window sills were very deteriorated and in need of complete replacement
• Removed the wood and vents that covered up the clerestory window openings
• Began to remove the roof material (rolled asphalt and tar) off of the car. The majority of the wood on the roof deck appears to be in very good condition
• Removed three of the original oval window frames from the car. These window frames will be used as samples for making a new set (qty. 9) of oval window frames and stained glass inserts

Air Brakes:

• Finalized the air brake system design
• Installed the air cylinder in the appropriate location under the car
• Completed the installation of all of the air piping to the air cylinder
• Develop prototype levers for the air cylinders

Hardware:

• Completed the restoration of the nine oil lamp roof vents
• Acquired and restored a Barney & Smith corner sink that will be used in the Men’s Smoking Room
• Acquired an Adams & Westlake two-burner oil lamp for the car
• Acquired berth hardware from an ex-Milwaukee Road sleeping car in Alberta
• Sourced a door for the stateroom toilet room
• Cleaned and restored over 300 pieces of berth and sleeping compartment hardware

Men’s Smoking Room:

• Started to develop the drawings for the missing Men’s Smoking Room walls and partitions
• Developed the design and size for the missing mirrors (qty.2) to be reproduced

Planning:

• Developed a detailed list of the sleeping compartment work tasks and sequence of activities
• Obtained a proposal for reproducing missing wood parts in the sleeping compartment
• Updated the three year restoration plan
• Developing a grant request to submit in 1Q 2021

Expenses:

• Total expenses paid for materials, labor, and contract since Jan. 1, 2020 is $5,448.51

 

Report prepared by William Buhrmaster, MCRM Restoration Department. Dec. 4, 2020.

Related links:

• Read about the DULUTH’s history on the DULUTH roster page
• Donate and help the DULUTH reach it’s $75,000 fundraising goal

by William Buhrmaster, MCRM Restoration Dept. Manager

Although we’re not currently able to work on the DULUTH as planned due to the Coronavirus shutdown there still is some progress and news to report on.

Work inside the DULUTH took place during work sessions in February and March. Stu M. lead a crew of volunteers removing the deteriorated headlining panels in the sleeping section of the car. The panels have all been removed and the roof boards and carlines have now been exposed. From inside the car the lower roof boards and carlines look to be in very good condition with the exception of a few carlines and boards on the east side of the car.

I recently received an email from Bob Berghorst reporting that he has the mahogany veneer applied to the seat ends and he has received the first of the newly cast brass claw feet.  Bob is getting eight claw feet cast for the four seat ends that he is making. There are eight claw feet in the car and four claw feet were acquired from the Sault Ste. Marie last year when we acquired two of the seat ends from the SSM.

With a tip from Pete B., I recently purchased a Barney & Smith corner sink off of eBay. The sink came at a very reasonable price and the buyer generously donated the shipping cost from California. The sink is close to what we need in the smoking room with the exception that it does have a provision for a drinking water tank. We can use the sink in the DULUTH unless a better or more appropriate sink surfaces down the road. Photos of the sink are attached.

I have also completed the restoration of the nine coach lamp roof vents that were donated to MCRM last summer thanks to Bob K.’s sister and brother in-law’s efforts in North Dakota last summer. With seven lamps in the car and two vents per lamp we are still in search of five more vents.

That’s the latest.