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The December issue of Marker Lights summarized the many projects that were undertaken in 2020, some completed and some still underway. A few of the projects were benefited by the funds received through the SBA low interest loan awarded to Midwest in the spring.
At the top of our priority list is the continued progress on our steam locomotive, GTW 4070. Once work on the L&M locomotive in stall 4 of the roundhouse is completed, a thorough cleaning of the pit will take place including flushing of the drain line. The stall 4 pit includes the wheel drop pit that will be used to drop the front drivers, allowing us to perform a complete inspection of the frame and then perform weld repairs on any cracks that may be found. That in itself will be a major accomplishment because until that is done, no other repairs to the boiler can be performed.
In December, volunteers spent time cleaning out the area adjacent to the stall 4 wall and moved more parts to the warehouse thereby making room for a work bench, tool chests and other items needed to facilitate work on the engine.
Along with completing a large number of CAD drawings of the tender that will be used for new construction and the rebuilding of the cab that is currently underway, the tender frame will also undergo sandblasting and a thorough inspection. Volunteers continue to search the box cars for additional parts that will be catalogued and inspected.
There are many different aspects of this project that will be underway this year. Some can only be done by qualified, experienced personnel. Most can be done by volunteers during normal Saturday work sessions. If you are not currently part of the team, sign up online through Sign-up Genius or in person at the roundhouse. Join the fun!
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In order to do a thorough inspection of 4070's frame, the locomotive will be brought into stall 4 of the roundhouse where the wheel drop pit is located. The wheel jacks (top photos) were brought into the roundhouse where they will undergo a cleaning and testing. The power unit for the hydraulic jack (bottom photo) was recently rewired by volunteer Tom Gross in preparation of its' cleaning and testing also.
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Additional 4070 parts were recently loaded onto pallets for storing in the warehouse.
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The area adjacent to stall 4 has been cleaned out and is undergoing a reorganization in anticipation of 4070 being brought in for frame repair (above left). The stairs leading down into the stall 4 pit are shown with the L&M locomotive sitting above it (above right).
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Large driver parts were moved during re-organization, one at a time, into storage from the roundhouse where they sat since being disassembled a number of years ago.
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Priorities for the New Year
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Saturday work sessions for Midwest volunteers were cancelled for the Christmas holidays to give members time off to spend with family and close friends (safe distancing, of course). Now, with the holidays over and the New Year upon us, MRPS is ready to tackle some high priority projects that took a back seat to those that were at the forefront in 2020.
The number one priority, the restoration of GTW 4070, was highlighted in the lead article. Numbers two and three, however, are also high priority and can benefit the organization in a number of ways. Two years ago, Midwest applied for a grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust and was awarded $18,000 that was subsequently used for repairs to CTVX 90, one of our three Nickel Plate Railroad passenger cars. Although the amount was not enough to cover the entire cost of all repairs performed, the funds went a long way towards replacing the vestibule doors, repairing wood windows, body work and sandblasting and repainting the car and roof.
This year, Midwest will again apply for funds, focusing on repairs to our Nickel Plate Pullman lounge car, Mt. Baxter. Necessary repairs planned are similar to those performed on 90, including to the wood windows, front vestibule doors and body and roof repair and repainting. Knowing that the amount awarded for 90 was insufficient to cover all of the costs incurred, we will be applying for a greater amount and hopefully be granted enough to complete the project without having to add from our general funds.
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CTVX Mt. Baxter is shown in the photos above. Wood window repairs and repainting are two of the maintenance items planned for the car in 2021.
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The third project on our list, but one that is no less important than the first two, is to complete repairs to our private business car CTVX 5 "America". Although work has progressed since arriving on site in 2019, volunteer resources were shifted elsewhere to finish other projects because of the shut down of most private excursions in 2020 due to the Covid 19 situation. Most interior repairs have been completed with the exception of the kitchen, which is undergoing a complete replacement. New window seals have been purchased and are on site waiting for volunteer help to remove the windows and accomplish that task. Exterior paint repair is underway, but volunteer help is also needed to polish brass handrails and trim.
The challenge that was made last year by a generous benefactor who donated $7000 toward the project, with a guarantee of another $7000 if individual donations were made to match, was met and the funds totaling over $21,000 were put to good use. Additional funds are necessary in order to complete the kitchen repairs and donations in any amount are gratefully accepted. Our ultimate goal is to complete the "America" repairs in time for this summer's private rail excursions and be ready to go once the Covid 19 restrictions are lifted. The availability of this historic piece of rail equipment to be paired with other privately owned cars can be a good source of income that will benefit other restoration projects.
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The "America" is shown above as it sat on the turntable after arriving at Midwest in September of 2019.
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Another project on our list is to once again tackle the roof and walls in stalls 6 through 10 of the roundhouse. Although progress was made in 2020 with the removal of unnecessary steel bracing along with emptying stalls 8 through 10 of stored materials and bins, other projects kept volunteers busy. Wood purchased last year will be used to manufacture support beams in sizes to match the originals for stalls 8 through 10 as was done previously for stalls 6 through 8. Those beams were constructed using screws and glue, by volunteers, and then installed by a general contractor. The brick wall of stall 10 needs to be reconstructed prior to completing the roof repairs over stall 10. Other repairs include tuck pointing and window replacement in the rear wall, but rebuilding the stall 10 wall and completing the roof opens up additional storage undercover while also allowing the installation of the paint booth that was donated a few years ago by General Electric.
There is a lot of activity planned for 2021. Watch for our weekly Saturday work calls through emails and Facebook, and plan on stopping down to give us a hand. The more help we get, the faster the projects move.
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Stalls 6 through 10 of the roundhouse in various stages of (dis)repair are shown in the photos above. The photo bottom left, was taken in 2016 prior to all of the columns being straightened and squared and before the roof repairs were begun in stalls 6 through 8.
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For a few months now, the L&M Railroad in Cincinnati, Ohio has leased stall space in the roundhouse where they have been performing maintenance and repairs on their recently acquired locomotive. Repairs are just about completed, but Midwest has at this point been contracted to perform repairs to the steel structure beneath the cab floor and also replace the existing floor boards with steel diamond plate. After everything has been finished, Midwest will apply a new coat of paint to the locomotive. Jobs like these add some extra income into our general fund while also providing some cost savings to those who contract our services.
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62 Has Left the Roundhouse
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Taking a break from the cold and snow of a typical Cleveland winter, 62 is on its' way to Mississippi for a warm weather respite. It won't be all fun in the sun for the passenger car though since it has been leased to Kapital Productions to be used in the filming of a mini-series for ABC TV titled "Women of the Movement". The above photos chronicle the car's travels beginning with inspection and measurement in our yard, stops in Cincinnati and Nashville (where it spent Christmas) and arrival at its' final destination, Grenada, Mississippi.
No details on the production are available at this time, but stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. If all goes as planned, the car should return to Cleveland in late spring or early summer.
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Ask the Editor
Did you ever visit the Historic B&O Roundhouse and after leaving, think of a few more questions that you wanted to ask the tour guide but didn't think of at the time? Starting with this issue of Marker Lights, you can submit any questions regarding the facility, our equipment or the organization and its' history and we will answer those that are of the most interest, space allowing, beginning with the February issue.
Submit your questions by email to newslettermrps@gmail.com.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Trustees of Midwest Railway Preservation Society wish everyone a very safe and happy New Year! Here's hoping that we leave the troubles of last year behind and 2021 brings everyone back to some degree of normalcy. Peace, health, and happiness for all!
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Happenings "aROUND the HOUSE"
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This section of track was torn up during a warm spell last January in anticipation of impending excavations for sewer repairs. After the work was recently completed and the excavations back-filled, ties were set in place to begin track replacement. Hopefully a winter warm spell will allow this track to be completed.
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Recent additions in various areas on site are solar powered spot lights like the one in the photo above. The lights were installed in areas where the existing electric spotlights didn't provide adequate lighting and bring additional safety for those working outdoors in the evening. They were installed above the man doors on the west side of the roundhouse, above the electrical box in the yard and at the turntable.
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Coming your way! This photo of 4070's front end was taken from the inside of her cab through a window opening of the newly installed front sheets. The front end was decorated for the small group tours hosted by Midwest during the Christmas holidays.
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These elves sitting on the number boards of 4070's front end greeted visitors to the roundhouse during the Christmas season. Originally decorated for the small group holiday tours, the decorations brightened up Midwest for visitors and volunteers alike.
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Visitors that took advantage of our group tours had the opportunity to visit (at a safe distance) with Ralphie from "A Christmas Story", Santa Claus and his chief elf as they hung out in the lounge of the "America". Everyone is hoping that the tours will be back to normal in 2021.
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This rendering of the Clark Avenue Bridge was found in the archives here at MRPS. Probably commissioned for the opening of the bridge many years ago, the caption describes it as the "longest span in the country". Closed in the 1970's, all that remains of the structure are numerous concrete pedestals that can be seen when driving down Quigley Road.
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Proud Partners of Midwest Railway Preservation Society
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Proud Sponsors of Midwest Railway Preservation Society
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Steve Emling, President
Steve Korpos Jr., Executive Director
Ken Yandek, Chairman of the Board
Karen Bates, Recording Secretary
Greg Antz
Mark Billey
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Mitch Karibinus
Ken McCown
Dale Pietrasz
Bud Ramkey
Petar Stojsavljevic
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MARKER LIGHTS NEWSLETTER
Editor and Chief Writer: Ken Yandek
Send comments and feedback to: newslettermrps@gmail.com
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Open House Schedule for 2021
Open house events for 2021
have not yet been determined.
Watch for announcements on social media,
our web site and through email.
Midwest Railway Preservation Society.
Historic B&O Roundhouse
2800 W. 3 rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Get guided tours of the site
Learn how railroads helped make Cleveland an industrial giant
Climb on board an original, elegant “parlor coach” from the 1920's
Hear the history of the famous “4070” steam locomotive
Share in our vision to save the Roundhouse
Visit our gift shop
Donation for Admission: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under
Free admission to all members in good standing
All proceeds to be used for Roundhouse restoration efforts
Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes as the site is still in rough condition.
Children must be under the supervision of an adult at ALL times. Visitors with disabilities are
Welcome but should know that the site and equipment are NOT ADA-accessible.
For more information, call (216) 781-3629
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