15 March 2011
These are photos taken, 3/15/11, of the interior demolition. The doorway for the lift has been cut and removed. All windows have been removed. The floor has been broken up to gain access to the mountings for the berth section dividers so they can be moved to the south side of the car.

All windows have been removed and doorway for lift cut out and removed. This also allows access to the dumpster for removal of debris.

West entry area floor demolition. Hole is access to pivot pin for wheel trucks. Area to left will be handicap restroom.

Former linen & table closet will eventually have a doorway to new handicap restroom to be located to the right.

This is West end of the car. Floor has been removed and walls exposed for sandblasting, reparis and undercoating. Lift will be just around corner to left. Old oil stove will be discarded - any takers?

Another view of West end leading into berth area. Lift doorway will be next to broom on right. Old oil stove will be removed and all berths on left will be removed and two re-installed on right to complete a full berth section. Entire left side of car will be cleared for wheelchair accessability to the handicap restroom on opposite end.

(photos 14 Mar 2011 by Phil Cok)

21 February 2011
Although covered with snow right now, the before & after photos below helped prove our stewardship to the Coopersville Planning Commission. They granted us an extension for the "Car Shop" structure through
Dec 31, 2011

27 November 2010
photos courtesy Jim Boeve, Gravel Graders (616-402-2216)

With material donation from Meekhoff Lakeside Dock
(16861 120th Ave, Nunica, MI, 49448 616-837-5858) and 6 hrs of services donated by Jim Boeve, Gravel Graders (616-402-2216), our car shop site is ready for building and track. The Danforth parking lot recieved leveling as well. Nice Job Jim!

BEFORE (above) & AFTER (below)

Renovation foreman, Pete Freeman & WMSIH Vice President, Jeff DuPilka, decide what stays and what comes out.
10 Sept 2010 - Bruce Quinn

This original Pullman shop inspection card dated 12-8-1953 was found attached to wiring in vestibule cieling.

In the A vestibule, a complete set of original dutch doors and floorplate were hidden behind an added on oil-fuel tank.
10 Sept 2010- BQ

Beneath the oil tank, additional treasures were found like this set of original door knob & locksets...

...and this undated Penn Central car movement card.

Attached to the end of the vestibule was this porcelain "Watch Your Step" sign. The words are faintly visible through the paint. 10 Sept 2010 - BQ

The original Pullman porcelain Watch Your Step sign is revealed behind decades of paint.
03 October 2010 - PC

Another two sets of original 1928 Pullman privacy glass windows were hidden behind welded steel panels.
20 October 2010 - Phil Cok

RA Holmes Construction crew leader, Heath MacDonald checks the line to position forms for the new car shop foundation.
28 July 2010 - Bruce Quinn
Link to RA Holmes Construction Inc., Nunica, MI

This stuff has to move. Including several hornet nests. Wed 28 July 2010

South car shop foundation forms were set and laser-leveled by cement crews from R A Holmes Construction.

Bob Duer provides cement truck driver with pour instructions while Roberto Rodriguez awaits the mud. Wed 28 July 2010

Bob Duer sets the rebar as Rob spreads the mud as it begins to flow. The Queen (English translation for LaReine) supervises from the background.

End of day progress. North leg poured, forms removed, left leg leveled and ready for Thursday set up and final pour.

Eighteen inches of cement is layered into the forms for the south arm of the car shop foundation on Thursday afternoon.
29 July 2010

Apparently, The Queen was destined to move again before renovations started. She was moved to the south maintenance line so cement crews could set the south foundation and tracks could be re-aligned and finished between the new car shop foundations.

Rodney Holmes gives the driver instructions while Miguel Chavez levels the first layer pour for the south side of the car shop foundation.

North foundation cures while the first layer of the south leg is being poured.

Polyhouse car shop materials and new ties wait while foundation is poured. Cement must cure 1-1/2 weeks before car shop can be erected on it.

Miguel Chavez of RA Holmes Construction finishes the top surface of the south foundation.

Miguel waves as he removes the forms from the south arm of the car shop foundation.

View of the car shop foundation from LaReine. Miguel removes forms while Rodney Holmes (in bobcat) levels the floor of the car shop to make way for the siding completion.

Foundations complete and curing. Rail sidingwill be extended between the foundations and polyhouse structure erected over it to protect the railcar during construction. Photo by Bruce Quinn 03 Aug 2010.

The C&M engine approaches the handicap project car, LaReine (french for "The Queen"), to move her onto her new siding. Structural steel for the polyhouse "Car Shop" is seen beyond the track. Siding will be continued into the Car Shop after completion. (Bruce Quinn photo)

The C&M engine is coupled to the La Reine for one last move before renovations begin. (Bruce Quinn photo)

Brakeman lines switch for the new siding. (Bruce Quinn photo)

Here comes the Queen onto her new home. (Bruce Quinn photo)

La Reine is backed onto the new siding where the renovations will begin (FINALLY).

Rob Campbell checks the wheel chocks before uncoupling the C&M engine. Orange flag marks the edge of the location of the new polyhouse "Car Shop" where final renovations will take place.

LaReine sits on new siding overlooking structural steel that will form the new polyhouse "Car Shop."

Aerial view of the La Reine situated on her new siding in the C&M rail yard in downtown Coopersville, MI. This location makes it accessible from the parking lot so renovations can begin while the polyhouse Car Shop is being constructed.
Bucket truck photo courtesy of Campbell's Track Service.

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The last section of track was placed in the rain on Tuesday afternoon by Rob Campbell & his crew from Campbell's Track Service. Wednesday morning the tamper was brought in to settle the ties and level the track.

Hydraulic arms grab the ties and shake them to settle the ballast and level the track. (Bruce Quinn photo)

Track to be continued into polyhouse "Car Shop" after construction. (Bruce Quinn photo)

New siding is tested with the C&M engine. Only one bolt had to be replaced. (Bruce Quinn photo)

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