MCRR Gets a Case Backhoe!

Case Construction has made a generous donation to the Midwest Central Railroad of a new model "590 Super M Series 2 Backhoe" for the purpose of track maintenance and general operations support. MCRR President Matt C. extends his heartfelt thanks to Ms. Jenna K. of Case Construction's Burlington, Iowa plant, for her efforts in making this contribution to the railroad possible. The donated Case Construction loader/backhoe is equipped with four-wheel drive and Extendahoe(TM) along with the standard loader and backhoe buckets.

The Case Construction Burlington plant, where the loader/backhoes are manufactured, is located about 30 miles east of the railroad's home in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

The loader/backhoe will be used for track repair and numerous other rebuilding projects, something that is always occurring at the railroad. With the Case Construction loader/backhoe, track work should proceed much more rapidly, and save the backs of the volunteers.

The timing of the donation is significant since the railroad plans to perform a total tear out and replacement of the tracks along the eastern border of McMillan Park. The years since the east track's original installation have taken their toll on the ties and roadbed. Many tons of dirt and rock need to be moved along with replacing the hundreds of railroad ties.

Case Construction equipment is no stranger to Mount Pleasant. Besides the railroad being a working museum that holds several events each year, the area's biggest event is the annual Old Thresher's Reunion. The Reunion is an educational gathering held the five days ending Labor Day every year (for 2008, Aug. 28 - Sept. 1) that includes demonstrations of antique farming equipment. Restored Case steam-powered traction engines are among the highlights of the Reunion.

Jim H., vice president of Case Construction Equipment, North America, said "Case is proud to support the hard work of the many volunteers who serve the Midwest Central Railroad. Their preservation of steam-powered equipment is consistent with our own commitment to conserve America's industrial and agricultural heritage for future generations."

Congratulations to MCRR volunteers! It took several steps to get the plate back to its original location on the 9.

• Locating the plate (Jesse+Griffin)
• Orchestrating its return (Matt)
• Refurbishing (Matt+Griffin)
• Mounting (Dustin, Griffin, Matt, Jesse)

The following picture links to a larger version.

Go to the MCRR website for additional pictures.

Flatcar #6206 in service

"Independence Day" Holiday Weekend (16/7 update)

Several weeks ago the flatcar staff installed the 6 stringers, 2 end beams, truss rods, and numerous fittings.During the Independence Day holiday weekend, the last of the fittings were installed and final assembly began.

Once all the fittings were installed the flatcar was towed outside. Jesse V watches while Griffin W. runs the skid steer.


Paul K. applies some primer to hard to reach places with a "rattle can."




Griffin W applies the final coat of paint to the stringers and truss rods with his airless sprayer.



With the paint dry, the staff installed the 2" rough sawn decking. Every board was a different length which required a chalk line and a circular saw to correct. "Master craftsman" Elliot H. (hey! that's me!) is shown here plunging the blade into decking (and the occasional stake pocket). While most of the sawing was done with the circular saw, getting real close to the stake pockets required the reciprocating saw.


Lots of nails and lots of custom trimming for the stake pockets and for the width of the flatcar gave Brian B. an opportunity to do some sweeping.



The first official task of the flatcar was to carry several large boxes of parts for the 2 to the south station. Dustin B. runs the fork lift with the first box.



Two boxes of "c***" loaded at either end of the flatcar.The flatcar was also loaded with the remaining deck boards in order to empty the shop of the traces of flatcar restoration work.

Memorial Day "Extended Work Weekend"

Bad weather for the last couple months kept us from sandblasting the frame of the second car, number 6206. During this extended Memorial Day weekend (23-26 May), enough good weather prevailed and the sandblasting was finally completed on Friday. The original plan to paint the frame on Saturday was thwarted due to rain lasting all morning. The wet steel formed surface rust within several seconds causing the frame to need a quick second sandblasting! What a bother.

The next few pictures illustrate the "waltz of the frame." It was decided that the flat car needed flipping end to end, altering the mating with 6216. By flipping this car, the hand brakes are at opposing ends rather than at the front of each car. (Note to readers: our railroad does not have a wye or turntable; flipping a car is an interesting task.)

Flipping 6206 was a bit easier since it barely consisted of a frame. With the trucks off and the wood still in the shop, the skid steer and forklift were able to turn the frame around.

Step 1: The skid steer picks up the south side of the frame and moves it to the west.
Step 2: Along with the fork lift, two machines have the frame almost east-west.
Step 3: Almost done.
Step 4. Now parallel with the tracks, the frame has been reversed.
MCRR volunteers Paul K. and Brian Y. roll the north truck back under the frame.You can see the car's identification markings on the truck's frame.
With so much residual sand on and next to the rails, the south truck was reluctant to move into place. It took four staff members to complete the task.
See an action shot of the truck installation at youtube.

Trucks in place and forklifts/skidsteers out of the way, Griffin W. prepares the airless paint sprayer for the primer coat
Dustin B. mixes the red primer before setting the paint sprayer's pickup tube in the can
On Monday, with the primer dry the staff started the fitting of the center stringers onto the frame. The cutting of the tenons had been done two months ago, but painting the stringers wasn't completed until a few days ago.

Numerous holes and notches were drilled into the two boards in preparation for their fastening to the frame.
To keep the car as original as possible, most of the old hardware was cleaned and reworked to be usable. Here staff member Brian B. chases the threads on one of hundreds of square nuts
Griffin W. cuts a few mortises into the needle beam. (The MCRR's Vulcan Iron works switcher, affectionately known as "Little Squirt" is seen in the background. To be fair, it did have some mechanical attention this weekend.)
"Project Manager" Jesse V. rests while everyone else did the work. (Hahahaha...just kidding!)
"Shop Supervisor" Mike E. inspects Brian's thread chasing of an old carriage bolt.
With the east center stringer's bolts in place, the west center stringer is fit onto its frame and the bolts are started.
Orangehat B. models his double header face protection.

Flatcar #6216 in service