Tag Archives: painting

C&NW #1385 Parts Painting Progress

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

Mid-Continent Railway Museum volunteers gathered at SPEC Machine outside of Middleton, WI on Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25, 2023 to apply paint to numerous loose parts in preparation for installing the items onto the locomotive in the near future. Parts receiving primer and paint included the ashpan, brackets for the air tanks, bracket for the power reverse, sand dome parts, and numerous other components.

Turnout for both days of work sessions were great – almost too good on Saturday, making it necessary for some mandatory breaks while waiting for the paint to dry before adding additional coats.

A big thank you goes out to the volunteers that participated – a few of whom signed up for museum membership just to be able to attend this session. The work was organized and led by Pete Deets and Ed Ripp of the 1385 Task Force. They were joined by volunteers Chuck B., Ross S., Larry S., Richard C., David S., James W., Robert D., Brayden E., Joey R., Jim B., Andy S., Gary B., Rusty S., Ken E., and Jeff H.

Thanks also go out to our host, SPEC Machine for opening their shop to our volunteers to make this session possible.

Volunteer crew on the afternoon of February 25, 2023. Gary Bjorge photo.
Sand dome
Cab support
Miscellaneous brackets.
Air reservoir brackets.
Ash pan control connectors.
Ash pan components.
Ash pan component.
Ash pan component.
Ash pan doors.

D&R #9 June 2021 Progress Report

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

Last month Dardanelle & Russellville #9 was finally moved to the end of the track to allow our team easier access with heavy equipment. Our team had a productive volunteer session the last weekend in June where we were able to separate the tender from the locomotive. This will facilitate easier access for washing, painting, and other restoration projects in those hard-to-reach places. Steve Pahl met with different vendors to discuss power washing and painting, and we have #9 scheduled for a wash at the end of July. We also removed all old running boards and set up temporary boards. The old stack has been repaired and delivered. Thanks to all that came out to help. A good time had by all.

We have 2 volunteer sessions scheduled for July: 10-11, and 24-25. We hope you can make it.

Update provided by Jason Reiman

  • Volunteers use manual car movers (large levers) to move D&R #9’s tender away from the locomotive.
  • The #9’s youngest volunteer, Fletcher, shows the size of the locomotive’s recently repaired smokestack.
  • The D&R #9’s tender after separation from the locomotive.
  • D&R #9 volunteers pause for a picture during the June 26, 2021 work session.
  • D&R #9 progress overview photo. July 8, 2021.
  • A working platform and steps have been added to allow easier access into the cab for further restoration work.