We are thrilled to announce two separate $10,000 matching fund challenges to support the preservation and restoration of two historically significant rail cars in our collection. Thanks to two generous donors, every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 for these two projects!
🔹 Montana Western #31 (AKA Great Northern #2313): The funds will be used to rebuild the radiator in this oldest surviving EMC gas-electric motorcar. The Montana Western #31 was the 30th unit of its kind and represented the cutting edge of technology at a time when railroads were seeking alternatives to steam service on branch lines.
🔹 Duluth South Shore and Atlantic DULUTH Sleeper Car: This is an extremely rare example of a wooden sleeper car. The matching fund drive is targeted to provide the needed funds to replicate the original Men’s Smoking Room in the DULUTH. The Men’s Smoking Room had two sinks, a saloon (toilet) and a long sofa. This room was the area of the car where men could gather and have a smoke or wash up during their overnight trip along the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic route between Sault Ste. Marie and Duluth, MN. Drawings have already been made and with the $10,000 challenge donation and matching funds, we will be able to construct new mahogany veneer walls (with marquetry) for the smoking room.
The Men’s Smoking Room floorplan in the DULUTH.
The interior of the Men’s Smoking Room as it stands currently.
Help us keep these pieces of history alive! Donate to one or both projects today using the buttons below.
The Mechanical Department will be holding a work session the weekend of May 4 and 5 in conjunction with the Spring Fling event.
The goal for this work session is to disassemble, inspect, clean and install the brake cylinder of the DLW 557, perform the single car test on DLW 425, DLW 557 and DM&IR C-74.
If you are available to help with this work session, please contact the office via inquiries@midcontinent.org or 608-522-4261.
On Saturday, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western cars #425 and #557 as well as the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range caboose C-74 were jacked up to place lubricating discs in the bolster bowls – this is where the car body meets the trucks. TJ, Al J, Grant H, Ross S, Fred V, Nick V, Pete D and Colton T helped out with this task.
A new 3 phase electric panel has been installed in Mid-Continent’s Machine Shop. Tom H and Bob D mounted the new 3 phase panel to accept the new feed from the Engine House panel. After the contractor ran the new feed, Tom and Bob made the connections to the circuits in the machine shop. As part of this work, a single-phase panel was installed.
Dave W was working on throughout the weekend to create fixtures to assist with the eventual installation of tires on the Western Coal & Coke #1 steam locomotive’s front truck wheels.
On Sunday, Greg W, Fred V, Adam C and Ed R performed an undercarriage inspection on MCRY #1256, Mid-Continent’s ex-Army locomotive that serves as the museum’s primary locomotive for operating demonstration train rides. The work included checking the traction motor support bearing sumps and wicks, traction motor brushes and checking for any other defects under the locomotive while it was over the pit.
A crew led by Pete D of Grant H, Colton T, and Fred V disassembled the brake cylinder on DL&W #425 to clean and inspect the cylinder bore and piston packing cup.
Tom H and Bob D took advantage of the #425 being in the shop. They worked on removing old wiring and damaged electrical conduit that ran from the electrical cabinet on the A-end of the car to the baggage end platform on the B-end of the car. They will be installing new pieces of conduit where needed in preparation for installation of new wire.
The DL&W #557 coach car still needs to have its cylinder disassembled and inspected and a single car air brake test still needs to be performed on the #425, #557 and C-74 before the season begins.
The DL&W #595 and #563 still need to be jacked up to have lubricating discs placed in the bolster bowls, have the brake cylinders disassembled/cleaned/inspected and a single car air brake test performed before the operating season begins.
There will be work happening during the museum’s Spring Fling weekend, May 4 and 5. There may also be a work session before then. If you are interested in joining the ranks of Mechanical Department volunteers, please contact our office at inquiries@midcontinent.org or RSVP for the Spring Fling here: https://form.jotform.com/240655916920157
Photos courtesy of Colton T.
Pete D and Grant H disassembling the brake rigging in preparation of disassembling the brake cylinder.The #425 is being lifted with the jacks. Al J is watching a level placed on the platform and is directing people at each jack to keep the car level as it is raised.DL&W #425 The car has been lowered back onto the trucks.Brackets for mounting the conduit to the car are being removed. This will assist with the removal of the old wiring.Light shines through the windows of the Engine House, highlighting C&NW #1385’s tender in the distance.MCRY #1256 under the spotlight of sun rays in the Engine House.
