Portland Traction 4001 (Indiana Railroad 202)

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:12 pm

The Western Railway Museum has gotten its restoration of Portland Traction 4001 (nee Indiana Railroad 202) to the point where a test run was called for. See video. Of course the car has a few things to work out, but it moves! Its last "mainline" run was 1967 at the museum, and it was put to bed because of very worn trucks. This is the tail end of a significant restoration effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anskJCW7K_4

Bob Davis · **Joined:** Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:25 am **Posts:** 1025

Here's a photo of 4001 from back in Sept. 1967, my first visit to Rio Vista Jct. This was back when they were using a diesel-powered generator from a Mack diesel-electric bus to power the railway.

Charlie · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2015 11:38 pm

Major congrats on yet another milestone! I love the work that goes on there but just wish there was better communication between the museum and the outside world.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Sun Jul 12, 2015 2:42 am

Well I've thought of posting a Catskill-like update on a regular basis except for 2 things: #1 I'm about to head to Michigan for the summer and #2 the volume would be considerable due to all the activity, and that only considers the mechanical shop.

Al Stangenberger · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:59 pm **Posts:** 650

We're working on a revised web site, and it just went live a couple of weeks ago.
Comments/suggestions welcome.

http://www.westernrailwaymuseum.org/

This is a summary of shop work in June, mainly for internal use (such as outlines for my column in our quarterly newsletter). We could probably archive these on the web site if folks are interested.

Quote:

Shop work June 2015

• SN 1 (Portable substation) – Repairing wall posts
• SN 146 – Build engine stand, disassemble #1 engine
• Key 271 – Repair window frames and reglaze (safety glass); install tongue and groove paneling inside end.
• VE 502 – annual inspection, traction motor work
• SN 654 – service brake valve
• Key 1001 – Service air signal valve
• Muni 1258 – repair pantograph mounting

• PT 4001
o Repair reverser casting
o Re-install reverser
o Service compressor governor
o Service, paint, install trolley poles
o Service/paint trolley retrievers
o Repair door step mechanism, install door engine
o Diagnose/repair air leaks
o Test control wiring

• Forklift – repair transmission
• Parts – continue rebuilding fuse boxes for stock
• Track – tamper repairs
Total volunteer hours - 528

Al Stangenberger
Shop Superintendent
WRM

Jim Vaitkunas · **Posted:** Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:55 pm

Al Stangenberger wrote:

This is a summary of shop work in June, mainly for internal use (such as outlines for my column in our quarterly newsletter). We could probably archive these on the web site if folks are interested.

Hi Al,

Two comments on your post.
1) Your (Western Ry Museum) new website looks great. Very simple while visually very pleasing.
2) Don't forget to send your updates to Aaron Isaacs for inclusion in ATRRM's blog, TRRM:
http://www.atrrm.org/blog/

Thanks!

Al Stangenberger · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:59 pm **Posts:** 650

Bob Davis wrote:

Here's a photo of 4001 from back in Sept. 1967, my first visit to Rio Vista Jct. This was back when they were using a diesel-powered generator from a Mack diesel-electric bus to power the railway.

The car visible to the left of 4001 is our portable substation (Sacramento Northern #1) which was discussed in this recent thread:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38096

Apparently the substation had been donated to the museum but not yet put in service since they were still using a diesel generator.

psa188 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:35 pm

Al Stangenberger wrote:

We're working on a revised web site, and it just went live a couple of weeks ago.
Comments/suggestions welcome.

I am pretty sure your webmaster is aware of this, but I've noticed that the new WRM website lack detailed information about the collection. I'm sure there's long term plans to fix this, but since you asked for comments...

Al Stangenberger · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:59 pm **Posts:** 650

Thanks, information about the collection is a very high priority for adding to the site.

psa188 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2015 6:09 pm

Al Stangenberger wrote:

Thanks, information about the collection is a very high priority for adding to the site.

Just thought of something else that would help the site- if your library/archives are electronically cataloged, it would be helpful to researchers if it was online so they could see what you have before planning a trip out there.

Charlie · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2015 1:16 am

As for the info on the collection, I thought that your previous version (the "large artifacts" under the "collections" heading) was the best I've ever seen. It contained everything you could possibly want to know about the particular car including future plans for it which I especially liked.