Category Archives: EJ&S #2

June 2024 Restoration Work Sessions and All Hands on Deck Announcement

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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 1st 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 8th, 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 9th and 10th) and other work will also be taking place in the Car Shop during the three-day session.

June 26th 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

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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.

Bob priming the new battens.
Karl installing the center window stops.
Jack sanding the battens.
Jerry F. fitting one of the curved battens.
One window with all of the trim installed.

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.

Jerry M and Dean installing trim pieces in the C&IM 90 south state 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.

Owen painting the trim pieces.
Bob varnishing the walnut trim pieces.

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.

Karl working in the DULUTH smoking room.

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.

The latest progress on the #1099.

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.

Restoration Progress in 2022 and 2023 for EJ&S No. 2

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Written by Peter Becker

This update is a summary of the work that has been completed in 2022 and 2023.  Much work has been done and the end of this restoration project is now in sight.

Interior work

Paint and varnish stripping is completed.  This labor intensive work required using heat to soften up to 4 layers of paint so it could be scraped off.  Additional scraping and sanding got down to clean wood.  The baggage section was painted a dark red color to match the original paint.  The color does leave the section dark looking with light only from one window and the small windows in the baggage doors.

In the passenger section walls were stripped and the walnut trim was reattached.  After filling many screw and nail holes and finish sanding the walls were stained.  A small section has been varnished to get an idea of the finished coloring of the walls.  The clerestory area was also stripped and painted white and the clerestory window were installed.

In other perhaps less noticed work the old and damaged Panasote ceiling was removed in preparation for the new ceiling.  The original ceiling/head liner was painted canvas tacked to roof ribs. We do not know the color or pattern of the original as we only have scraps of the fabric from around the edges but we hope the new ceiling will be in the style of the original.  Significant time was also spent repairing missing and rotten floor boards.

Reproduction of the seats is the last major project for the interior.  We have the cast iron seat parts which have now been painted and the wood seat frame parts are made and varnished.  The bottom and back cushions still need to be made and upholstered.

Exterior Work

Installation of the sound deafening ceiling attached to the underside of the car body was completed and the truss rods and brake parts were painted but the major exterior project was the roof work.  This work include replacing damaged structural parts, patching vent holes and replacing small portions of the roof deck.  Wood drip edge made many years ago was finally installed.  Prior to installation of the canvas roof covering, the roof deck was sanded and painted while keeping an eye out for any protruding nails or screws.  Canvas was stretched over the roof and tacked along the edges with thousands of tacks.  The canvas was saturated with a special formula canvas paint to make it impermeable to water.  The drip edge and other exposed wood was painted the green color that will be used on the rest of the car body.  Finally, new screens were installed to complete the roof.

A special thanks to any volunteers that have helped with the project in the last 2 years. Including (in no particular order) David M, David P, Larry S, Steve P, Jay S, Karl S, Jeff H, Nancy K, Owen H, Mike M, Tom B, Gregg W., Jane, Richard P, James B. Grant H. and probably someone I have forgotten.

All photos are by Peter Becker unless otherwise noted.

EJ&S #2 baggage section painted to match original color.
Freshly stained west wall of passenger section.
East wall stained with first coat of varnish.
Painted clerestory area with installed window.
Painted cast iron seat part including wall casting and seat back arms.
Seat mockup showing configuration of cast iron parts with old seat bottom and frame approximating the size of the back cushion.
Roof prior to canvas installation
Roof with canvas and screens installed. W. Buhrmaster photo.

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

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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.

EJ&S #2 2021 Year-End Restoration Update

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Update by Peter Becker

We had a productive year working on the East Jordan & Southern No. 2 in 2021.

Exterior Work

The year started out with Owen making a new lettering stencil for the car so he will be ready to letter the car when the time is right.

East Jordan & Southern #2 stencil.

A lot of time was spent cleaning up the trucks and truss rods.  They were then primed and painted.  We ran out of warm weather so there is some painting left to be done.  Also under the car, the north end draft gear was put back together with new spring followers, the plates that transfer force from the draw bar to the car body.

EJ&S #2 truck and truss rod.
Un-rusted new spring followers mounted in draft gear.

All four platform steps are now functional.  This required everything from a complete rebuilt for the southeast step to straightening the metal side of the northeast step to simply replacing the treads of the southwest step.

Straightened and repainted northeast steps.

The platform deck boards were replaced also.  The work required the removal of the door thresholds and some repair around them.  On the south end this also required repair of the rotten platform sill.

New platform deck boards.

Repair work on the sound deafening ceiling, the boards attached to the underside of the car body frame, was started.  The deafening ceiling was partially removed in the past to facilitate repair work so it is now piece work to fit replacement boards in.

Under-car deafening ceiling.

Other exterior work included fastening the lower roof drip rail in place, repairing the south end canopy, straightening the north platform hand rail and installing a hand brake shaft and wheel on the south end platform.  An additional post for the south end hand rail was also found and installed.  The following two photos show the south platform with the roof drip rail, the new wood on the canopy corners and the installed brake wheel and hand rail post.

EJ&S #2 southeast corner.
EJ&S #2 south end.

Interior Work

The project last winter was to clean the clerestory windows and mount them in new sash that was built some time ago.  There are 30 windows and 28 are now done.  Two stained glass panes are missing which is delaying completion of the final 2 windows.  There are 2 patterns of glass which are shown here in new sash.

One of two clerestory window patterns.
One of two clerestory window patterns.

Most of the interior work this year was stripping paint and removal of the headliner sheet metal. The next two pictures show the current state of the interior.  The plan is to repaint the baggage section in the reddish color and the passenger section will be stained and varnished.

Wood revealed after stripping paint.
In this picture, you can see the truss plank cap and the lower wainscot board were installed.

Finally, the original examination of the car interior found evidence that the partition between the baggage section and the passenger section was 6 windows from the north end of the car.  In the process of stripping paint we realized the partition was originally next to the baggage door.  Since we plan to use the original partition location, additional coach seats are needed.  We ordered 5 mores sets of cast iron seat parts and they finally arrived just after Christmas.

Peter Becker holds up new cast iron seat parts which arrived at the end of 2021.

All this work was accomplished by Dave M., Owen H., Jeff H., Jim B., Bill B., Dave W., Tom B., Richard P. and I am sure a few others that I am sorry to miss. Thanks for the help.