Trolley Bus Department

A few years ago, the drag link on Chicago Marmon 9553 failed.  At the time we decided to swap the remaining good on from Chicago Marmon 9631 to keep 9553 in service until we could fabricate repairs.  During this past week, Richard Schauer and I decided that it was time to get this done.  We weren’t sure how long this project would take, but it might be a significant amount of time.  So, to prevent the 9553 from blocking service coaches during this period, we began the day by doing a switch move, swapping the Dayton Flyer 925 with the 9553.  To accomplish this we had to move the two coaches in front of them, Seattle Twin 633 and Edmonton BBC 181.

181, 9553, 925 and 633 all outside during the switch move 03/12/2011

We then got to work removing the good drag link from the 9553.  After easily removing the front part (under the driver’s seat), the back section (behind the front wheels) gave us real difficulty.  With limited space and leverage under the coach, we decided that turning the front wheels a little would give us a better angle at loosening the connection.  Since the coach was stationary, turning the wheels puts a big strain on the drag link.  Unfortunately it proved a little too much and the good drag link began to fail.  To prevent a total failure we immediately stopped and returned to removing the rear section.  With the help of Warren Lloyd, we finally accomplished the task.

We brought it over to the Car Shop to remove all the parts and clean it up.  Luckily Car Dept. Superintendent Rod Turner was there and took a look at it.  He came up with a couple ideas on how it and the second one could be repaired.  No time like the present, so we set out to make the repairs on the “good” one.  Rod and Diesel Dept. Superintendent Jamie Kolanowski gave us a good deal of their time and expertise, and by the evening the job was done!  We’ll need to do some additional work to get the second one fixed, but a job that might have taken a very long time and possible be very costly, is well on its way toward completion.

Another great example of departments working together.  Rod and Jamie, we owe you guys big time for this one – THANKS!!!!!

On another front, preliminary work on the west loop project continues.  B&G Superintendent Dave Diamond has a quote for paving and DC Line Superintendent Max Tyms has a quote for trolley wire and is working on one for poles.  We spent some time discussing the project with Dave and we decided that we will start staking out the road once the weather and ground condition permits.

Don’t forget about the Snowflake Special coming up on March 27^th.  Tickets sales are brisk so don’t be left out!  Click on the link from the IRM home page and buy your tickets online now!!!

Saturday morning started out at the post office, mailing out a bunch of Snowflake tickets.  Don’t forget, less than 3 weeks left to get your tickets soon!  Proceeds go toward acquiring a pair of CTA 2200s once they are retired from service.

Upon returning to the property I had a long talk with DC Line Superintendent Max Tyms regarding our ongoing planning to build the long awaited loop on the west end of the trolley bus line.  His attitude is exactly the same as ours, “let’s do it!”  He had some excellent observations and suggestions.  Former DC Line Superintendent Bob Rayunec also visited.  Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to talk with him, but he had a lengthy conversation with Max about the loop.

I then returned to the Andersen Garage where Gary Andersen was already taking more measurements in preparation of his work with the front of the Dayton Flyer 960, which he will be making ready to be an interactive display.  Once he finished, Richard pulled out the Edmonton 181 so we could get to the Chicago Marmon 9553.  The Chicago Marmons have the longest turning radius, so after looking that number up in the book, we decided to do our own test.  After turning the coach 180 degrees, we measured outside bumper to outside bumper.  We figured that we need a loop measuring an absolute minimum of 99 feet.  Fortunately we have a little over 120 feet from Railroad Ave. by the present wye to the evergreen tree line at the parking lot fence.  Plenty of room for our loop.

Next step is to see what stock of overhead parts are squirreled away in our many storage containers, which we will continue to do over the next few weekends.  We will also continue to work with Dave Diamond on the exact placement of the loop for pavement, and with Max for placement of poles and overhead needs.

With commodity prices at record highs, the copper overhead wire is expected to be one of our biggest expenses.  If you would like to help, please consider a donation to the Trolley Bus Department.  If all goes well, we all can enjoy trolley bus service free of backing moves in the very near future.