I'm glad to see that you're planning ahead to get lots of stuff organized.
Will those higher numbered yards possibly get covers over them?

Money is already on hand to construct barns over Yards 13 and 14; I believe IRM is in the planning/permitting stage on those two structures. Both are envisioned as 500' long four-track buildings like Barn 11. Future yards 12 and 15 are also sited such that barns could be constructed over them. Of the numbered yards, I believe only Yard 5 is ineligible for barn construction due to its proximity to Barn 4.

I started this thread with a couple of photos and some questions. Thought I would also post a couple of additional photos. I hadn't realized that CTA (CSL) #3142 had been restored to service. It was a delight to see, and to ride.

Les

Les,

The IRM Steam Department posted a blog entry over the weekend that answers some of your questions:

http://www2.irm.org/blogs/archives/1719-Steam-Department-Update-06-27-2014.html

David -

Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, some of my questions were answered.


Les

Les,

Figured you'd appreciate it and posting the link was better than just parphrasing what is going on.

On a side note, ever knew that the grounded boxcar had a water softener system in it.

David

David -

Since you seem to have some knowledge of going's on at the steam department at IRM, and since we are discussing water, here's a question for you. I heard that many years ago, IRM acquired a classic old wooden water tank from the CB&Q with the idea that it would eventually be installed at Union. Those wood planks probably no longer exist, but does IRM still plan to install such a classic water tank on the grounds there?

Thanks.

Les

THE tank was off the GM&O; it came sans tower, because it was located at ground level at what I believe was a commissary at one time. The roof was too far gone to save, but the staves and tank band hardware are stashed in one of the reefers.

Someday...

Dennis -

Wonderful! The fact that the staves (probably oak, right?) are still in existence is really welcome news. The fact that the tank was off of the GM&O makes it a rarity as the line dieselized rather early. Does IRM have any photos of the tank when it was still in place on the railroad? Or at least, where it was located?

Thanks for this great news. Even if the water tank is not reinstalled for some time, it is good to know that the policy remains to put it back up in place.

Les

There's actually a foundation for the tank, prepared many years ago between the mainline and station tracks 1 and 2. Of course, in the foundation's location, you'd probably have to take the wire down over that station track and put the spout on that side. I just don't see overhead wire and a metal spout for a water tank playing well with each other.

That foundation was for "Herb's tank." Herb Hanson salvaged an industrial water tank sometime during the late sixties. It was an undersize tank, maybe 12' in diameter or so, and Herb CUT ALL THE STAVES IN HALF, to make them easy to store, I guess. Since there was no hope this tank would ever hold water, and would be a pretty silly looking caricature anyway, there was never much support for erecting it, and it was never done.

As to the GM&O tank, I want to say it was around 35th and Damen on Chicago's south side, but it's been a long time. I was only there once, to look the tank over; for some reason I wasn't available for dismantling it. J. David likely knows more; he ran the project, IIRC.

The staves weren't Oak, Oak is reserved for important things, like whiskey barrels. They were one of the common tank woods, either Cypress or Redwood, but I don't recall which.

Sometime shortly after, I wanted to salvage the tower from the IC tank at 26St., but it didn't happen. That was a really tall tower, and while it could have been cut down for our use, its height, and location, made for a difficult job, so the IC hired a demolition contractor.

Dennis -

Thanks for the story of the industrial tank. I had heard that IRM had a wood water tank where someone cut the staves in half. Had heard that many years ago from an IRM member. Now you have furnished the real story.

Les

The Pennsylvania RR and possibly other roads did solve the problem of steam locomotive water spouts under overhead contact wires by using cutout switches to prevent short circuits and spouts that also swung horizontally to get out of the way of the current collectors.

I didn't know that. This is why I like RYPN. Thanks to Les for starting this informative thread!

Sometime in the late '80's, I helped Nick unload a set of wooden water tower legs, which I believe came from an IC tank. If the GM&O tank fits on these IC legs, IRM could end up with a "ICG" water tank!