Illinois Railway Museum Blog

I'd like to start by thanking Jamie for setting up this section of the website.  It allows each department to take on the responsibility of keeping website visitors updated on department happenings.  I've appreciated reading about projects in other departments - I hope postings here will keep everyone sufficiently informed about our department.

The year started out on a sad note as on January 04 we said our final goodbye to the founder of the department, the person who acquired the core of our collection, and the person who our garage is named for, Glenn Andersen.  I was honored to be one of the pallbearers along with department regulars Richard Schauer, Jerry Saunders and Charlie King.  This year has not been the same without the knowledge, advice and history that Glenn had provided us over the previous ten years since his retirement.  He is sorely missed.

Glenn with the attendees at his garage dedication day October 01, 2005

Throughout the winter, the main project was working on seats for the 84.  With help from Bob Kutella and the woodshop guys, we were able to reproduce seat bottoms and backs needed.  Richard Schauer was instrumental in getting this project under way and coordinating with the Woodshop to get this done.  In July, Dick Lukin was able to procure a large quantity of seat material very close to the original from a manufacturer in Chicago.  Our next step is to continue with the seats by making the metal frame and springs as well as the stuffing material.  We also have new trolley boards that are ready to be mounted atop the coach.

In March, Richard and I took a trip up to Seattle to load our newest acquisition, Seattle M-A-N articulated trolley coach 4020.  Richard had been working for many months prior to that, ironing out the details of the acquisition as well as transportation.  Once there we were also able to go through other M-A-N coaches in the boneyard and pick up some spare parts.  The guys we worked with up there went out of their way to accommodate us as far as spare parts.  The coach was loaded to the gills with invaluable items.  We got it loaded onto the flatcar on March 03.  It then made a long, strange trip to the museum, finally arriving on April 12.  Richard did a quick inspection and finding that it arrived in fantastic shape, we put up the poles and took it for its initial spin around the loop in front of the Andersen Garage.  It has been in service often throughout the 2008 season, and you can look for it again in 2009.

Seattle M-A-N on Arrival Day

On June 21 the Andersen Garage was transformed into a theatre where Bob Heinlein gave presentations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the demise of the streetcar system in Chicago.  Several hundred visitors enjoyed the informative presentations.  We also provided trolley coach service for the visitors.

Although we did not have a regular schedule for service, we were able to provide rides for our visitors on several days throughout the year.  In 2009 we are back to our regular schedule of the first Saturday in June, July, September and October.  We will also provide unscheduled service on other days as availability and equipment permits.

In November, Richard and I did another road trip.  This time up to Toronto.  The Halton County Museum is where we acquired our TTC Flyer 9339.  They had another Flyer in worse condition that they decided to scrap.  They were nice enough to give us first crack at grabbing any spare parts that we might need for the 9339.  We spent a couple days tearing the coach apart.  The guys at Halton gave us an incredible amount of help and support.  We would not have been able to get as much done as we did without their help.

Thanks again to Jamie for this new communication medium.  I will do my best to update happenings in the department on an ongoing basis.