Friends of the 261 has completed extensive restoration work on Skytop "Cedar Rapids" at their Minneapolis Junction, MN, shop. The car will make its public debut on the Minneapolis to Duluth roundtrip on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28.
The parlor section of the car had all of the woodwork stripped and refinished, a new wooden veneer on the ceiling, new carpeting and each parlor chair was disassembled, stripped, cleaned and reassembled after repainting. New upholstery was applied to the chairs along with newly covered arm rests. New Formica was made based on the pattern and color of the original and installed below the windows and on the surface of the folding tray tables. It was decided to change the color of the upholstery from a turquiose blue/green to a rust red/brown.
The exterior received bodywork and was repainted and relettered. New window glass and gaskets were manufactured and installed in the car. R&W Machine of Bedford Park, IL, received the wheel sets and did the work to certify them for continued Amtrak service (wheel and axle ultrasound testing).
Friends of the 261 hopes that our patrons enjoy the work that has been done to keep the car in top shape. The attached photos were taken on Saturday, September 13. If you are joining us on September 27 and 28, we would appreciate hearing your comments.
Don C.
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File comment: Repainted exterior of Milwaukee Rd "Cedar Rapids" Minneapolis Jct, MN 9-13-14 D38645 Cedar Rapids after rehab at Minneapolis Jct, MN, shop 9-13-14.jpg [ 153.4 KiB | Viewed 3319 times ] |
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File comment: Restored parlor chair in "Cedar Rapids" Minneapolis Jct, MN 9-13-14 D38647 Restored parlor chair in Milwaukee Rd Cedar Rapids Minneapolis Jct, MN 9-13-14.jpg [ 124.46 KiB | Viewed 3319 times ] |
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File comment: Interior of "Cedar Rapids" after rehabilitation Minneapolis Jct, MN 9-13-14 D38646 Rehabbed interior of FO 261 Cedar Rapids Minneapolis Jct, MN 9-13-14.jpg [ 139.19 KiB | Viewed 3319 times ] |