Although the X5000 is located near Barn 10 on the "back 40", we were able to drive our cars to an area close by. Warren and Chuck unloaded their tools and climbed up on the roof of the X5000 to begin water-proofing.
Chuck Trabert inspects the roof of the X5000 as Warren Newhauser, Juniorprepares to load tools into buckets to be raised up by rope to the work area.
Photos by Pauline Trabert
Warren's father, the late Warren Newhauser, Sr. worked on the Milwaukee Road X5000 Dynomometer Car and this a major reason why Warren Jr. is dedicated to preserving this one of a kind car. Once the MRHA barn is designated at the Illinois Railway Museum, the X5000 will be protected from the weather year round and enjoy occasional track time for events featuring Milwaukee Road equipment.
Both Warren and Chuck are members of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association and have been planning this work day since the MRHA convention in June of this year.
Chuck's grandfather, George Trabert spent 34 years with the Milwaukee Road, so family history is key to many individuals working to preserve the Milwaukee Road archives and rolling stock.
Working on top of the Dynomometer Car was made easier by the many hand-holds of protruding pipes, vents, and other equipment that were also the access points of the water leakage. Warren's past attempt to stop the leaks proved his methods were heading in the right direction. Heavy rains in McHenry County this year indicated more roof work was required, although the major leaks had been remedied previously.
The men work on opposite sides of the roof in an effort to stop all leaks.
All potential points of water leaks were treated to a vigorous program of sealing and patching on Saturday, 10/13/07. The men worked from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM taking only a short break for a simple lunch on top of the X5000.
Warren Newhauser, Jr. on the left with Chuck Trabert on top
of the Milwaukee Road X5000 Dynomometer Car having lunch.
Both Warren and Chuck are members of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association and have been planning this work day since the MRHA convention in June of this year.
Chuck's grandfather, George Trabert spent 34 years with the Milwaukee Road, so family history is key to many individuals working to preserve the Milwaukee Road archives and rolling stock.
Working on top of the Dynomometer Car was made easier by the many hand-holds of protruding pipes, vents, and other equipment that were also the access points of the water leakage. Warren's past attempt to stop the leaks proved his methods were heading in the right direction. Heavy rains in McHenry County this year indicated more roof work was required, although the major leaks had been remedied previously.
The men work on opposite sides of the roof in an effort to stop all leaks.
Warren Newhauser, Jr. on the left with Chuck Trabert on topof the Milwaukee Road X5000 Dynomometer Car having lunch.
Warren hopes to put together a team of volunteers in the spring of 2008 to sandblast the car, repair surface problems, apply primer and finish coats of paint, and re-do the lettering and heralds on the X5000 in an effort to preserve this unique piece of Milwaukee Road history.
As for me, I started out with Warren and Chuck at the Dynomometer Car then went to Barn 4 to meet with Bob Kutella to hear more about the 3rd Annual Arn Fest held at the Illinois Railway Museum on Oct 5, 6, and 7 while Chuck and I were in Duluth.
Arn Fest is a meeting of folks from all across the continental USA interested in old woodworking machines. Bob told me their motto was something like: If it doesn't have any iron (arn) in it - it's too new! There were about 66 people in attendance this year which is double the number of the first Arn Fest held in 2005. The Illinois Railway museum has so far been the only host of the event. More information about Arn Fest and the Old Woodworking Machines group can be found at their forum, which is open to new registrations for those interested in old woodworking machines.
Activities included a swap meet in the parking lot where members brought old woodworking machines they wanted to exchange or barter for other pieces; clinics, demos, and sand casting of brass pieces for museum rolling stock too. Repair and maintenance of some of the museum's shop machines and donation of two new grinders for the IRM were the frosting on the cake.
This Delta professional grinder was donated to the
Illinois Railway Museum during the 2007 Arn Fest
and will be used for restoration of museum pieces.
As for me, I started out with Warren and Chuck at the Dynomometer Car then went to Barn 4 to meet with Bob Kutella to hear more about the 3rd Annual Arn Fest held at the Illinois Railway Museum on Oct 5, 6, and 7 while Chuck and I were in Duluth.
Arn Fest is a meeting of folks from all across the continental USA interested in old woodworking machines. Bob told me their motto was something like: If it doesn't have any iron (arn) in it - it's too new! There were about 66 people in attendance this year which is double the number of the first Arn Fest held in 2005. The Illinois Railway museum has so far been the only host of the event. More information about Arn Fest and the Old Woodworking Machines group can be found at their forum, which is open to new registrations for those interested in old woodworking machines.
Activities included a swap meet in the parking lot where members brought old woodworking machines they wanted to exchange or barter for other pieces; clinics, demos, and sand casting of brass pieces for museum rolling stock too. Repair and maintenance of some of the museum's shop machines and donation of two new grinders for the IRM were the frosting on the cake.
This Delta professional grinder was donated to theIllinois Railway Museum during the 2007 Arn Fest
and will be used for restoration of museum pieces.
Then I got a news update from Frank Sirinek about the Chicago & West Towns 141 restoration project. Later I spoke with Ed Waytula and Eric Lorenz about their progress with the Cleveland Transit System 4223 PCC car. Next I met and talked with Michael Baksic who is the curator for the Railroad Coach Department at the Illinois Railway Museum. He updated me on current work in the passenger cars including the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 2555, the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 2602, and the Chicago & North Western 7700.
I had the good fortune to meet Shelly Vanderschaegen while speaking with Mike Baksic. She is a delightful young woman who has had a hand in reupholstering many seats for rail cars at the Illinois Railway Museum and has done a wonderful job with the interior of the "Ely" also known as the Nevada Northern 10. She has been volunteering at IRM for about 10 years now.
I ran into Shelly again later in the day and had the opportunity to go inside this beautiful car. In addition to sewing the curtains, cleaning, doing minor repair work, installing new carpeting, and polishing the woodwork, Shelly also made the elegant evening gown for the mannequin who graces the dining area of the car. Shelly's aunt styled the beautiful wig.
Shelly told me she doesn't work with patterns and made the dress based on a 1" by 1" photo she has. You can see the dress in an image from Phil Stepek in the IRM photo gallery. The curtains have been redone since this photo was taken in a lovely burgundy brocade, and the carpet has been replaced with a nearly identical pattern.
From approximately 3:45 PM to 6:00 PM I watched and filmed Warren and Chuck at work on the Dynomometer Car then helped pack up their tools and clean the work area before we all left. It was a long but rewarding work day at the Illinois Railway Museum.
I had the good fortune to meet Shelly Vanderschaegen while speaking with Mike Baksic. She is a delightful young woman who has had a hand in reupholstering many seats for rail cars at the Illinois Railway Museum and has done a wonderful job with the interior of the "Ely" also known as the Nevada Northern 10. She has been volunteering at IRM for about 10 years now.
I ran into Shelly again later in the day and had the opportunity to go inside this beautiful car. In addition to sewing the curtains, cleaning, doing minor repair work, installing new carpeting, and polishing the woodwork, Shelly also made the elegant evening gown for the mannequin who graces the dining area of the car. Shelly's aunt styled the beautiful wig.
Shelly told me she doesn't work with patterns and made the dress based on a 1" by 1" photo she has. You can see the dress in an image from Phil Stepek in the IRM photo gallery. The curtains have been redone since this photo was taken in a lovely burgundy brocade, and the carpet has been replaced with a nearly identical pattern.
From approximately 3:45 PM to 6:00 PM I watched and filmed Warren and Chuck at work on the Dynomometer Car then helped pack up their tools and clean the work area before we all left. It was a long but rewarding work day at the Illinois Railway Museum.
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