I am in need of some help restoring pullman cars. 1) What is the best stripper to remove old latex paint without taking off the lead based paint? 2) What is the best primers to use on top of the lead based paint to hold the new paint to it? 3) Where can I find light fixtures used in the pullman cars of the 1920? 4) Where can I find a coal burning stove that was used in the pullman business car kitchens from 1911? 5) What pattern or carpet was used in the 1920 pullman business cars and who would carry them? 6) Does anyone know what the style was on the curtains used on the window treatments of 1920? Any other information would be helpful to restoring pullman cars of the heavyweights. email me at: esepteacher@live.com
Thanks for everyones help. Stu

There's a lot of experience available right down the road at SERM. I would encourage you to talk to the volunteers there who have gone through several heavyweight cars in the past decade or so. "Lead based" is a pretty broad description of a huge range of old paints, so that description is useless as a basis for recommendations about compatability. You may not be able to selectively strip just some of the paint. Primers require surface prep, so some alteration of any existing (but not failed)paint before overcoating will be required. SERM has also been on the hardware hunt, and can well advise you as to any sources for period reproductions of the hardware you need, assuming there are any, and on textiles. Don't reinvent the wheel when they are making wheels right down the street.

dave

Hi "Harding" at esepteacher@live.com!
I guess you know about us at the IRM Pullman Library. We do have negatives and prints for Pullman cars but color & design information only for the later orders. The Newberry Library (newberry.org) in Chicago may have some information. With the economic downturn, they are unable to take phone calls but e-mail would be much appreciated if you have a very specific question easily answered (they are not train car buffs) and of course by visit in the Old Town area of Chicago a few blocks west of Miracle Mile (yuppy shopping). It is a private archive open to the public with the usual safeguards. We are not open to the public, charge for our services and drawings, specs, etc. Send a mailing address and phone number and we can be in touch. Chances are we have the specification, drawing list and most of the drawings for your particular car as originally built. Newberry may have drawings if it was a "betterment" car later air conditioned in the 30's. Maybe you know all this but it is always good to check it out!
Sincerely, Ted Anderson, IRM Pullman Library curator
Pullman Library
Illinois Railway Museum
P. O. Box 427
Union, IL 60180
(Wednesdays 10-4) 815-923-2020