Entries by Joel Ahrendt

Just a quick update on things happening at the Electric Car Shop. In addition to all the normal work being done. (S105, the Michigan car, The PCC, L10). The NSL 160 needed to have a seat cushion repaired, which was done. With the Terror on the Railroad event going on, It was decided to service the batteries on NSL 714. It allowed the battery lights to come on if the pole was lost; also, the vent system would work as well. This is not the only work that's been done, but just some highlights of the work.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

As you might have noticed, I haven't done an Electric Car Department Update in a while. There were a few reasons for that, the biggest was the two weekends that had the visit of Thomas, the Tank Engine. There was work done in the shops on the various cars. The TM L10 engine has working air in it now. The Michigan car has had several updates that are under the Freight Car department blogs. Work also progressed on the Milwaukee 972 street car.

Repair work was done on CTA 3142's trolley pole and wheel assembly. The pole will now track around the carline now, and not de-wire as much. Some repair work was done on the trolley shoe of CA&E 308, as well as other minor repairs. In addition to all of that, there was some inspections and test runs of equipment that will be running for Showcase Weekend, this upcoming weekend. I certainly invite all of you to come out over the weekend, and see historic equipment running. We should be back to normal reporting after this weekend.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

For those of you who follow the operations of the Illinois Railway Museum by watching the web cams on line, I (Julie) would like to say that the ENTIRE TROLLEY LOOP is now showing up on the CTC machine -- and thus the online CTC board display.

You can now follow the progress of equipment operating on ALL of IRMs operating tracks both main line and trolley loop (except for trains "in front of the depot").

The signal department -- consisting of Mike Alterio, Bob Olson, Al Maywald, Terry Elliott, and I (Julie) -- have been working feverishly over the winter, spring and summer to get this done in time for Thomas Event.

In addition to the CTC board which operates from the track circuits, the Trolley Loop has been resignaled using all kinds of different signal units, largely from Electric Railway Lines, and these are being turned on starting this weekend. Also two more historic grade crossing signals are being made to work, a Milwaukee Electric Griswold Rotating Stop Sign, and another Wig Wag, a unique Magnetic Signal variation. Foundations have been poured for two more different wig wags which hopefully will be installed this autumn. They are a rare US&S DW unit donated by Doug Oaks, and a CB&Q Autoflag that is being relocated from near the tower. In its place will be placed the last remaining example of a Model 1 Bryant-Zinc wig wag from the North Shore Line.

Respectfully Submitted
Joel Ahrendt for Julie Johnson

A couple of weeks ago Ray and Jim dug holes for cabinet number two. This runs signals on the east side of the door (Signals 39 – 50). During the week concrete was poured and now the cabinet is ready to mount. The only thing that needs to be done to the cabinet before we mount it is the couple of holes in the floor needs to be fixed.

Most of the dwarf signals are now supplied with wiring and conduit thanks to Ray and Gerard. Gerard has also been repainting several of the signals.

On Saturday July 12, Steve Lewkowycz using a jack raised Signal 37 (Three Light Color Light Signal with red on top) about an inch up on the pole. This was done because the hole for the wiring was covered by one of the clamps. Signal 28 (A B&O color position dwarf) was rewired by Steve because the existing cloth wire was cracking and the insulation was falling off.

On Sunday July 13, Steve L and Jim wired Signals 37, 36, and 32. Signal 36 needed sockets and Steve L. installed new sockets in this signal. New control boards have been built and an additional board was installed to run these signals what were wired.

Respectfully Submitted for the Display crew,
Joel Ahrendt

Well, not as much work got done over the last weekend, because of the yearly Trolley Pageant. It started at 1:08 and ended at 2:15. Here are some more stats (sorry about the formating):

Car			Motorman		Conductor
CLS/CTA 4391		Ed Rosengren		Dallas Crew
IT 415			John Schnegle		
CNS&M 251-749		Joe Stupar		Gwyn Stupar
CNS&M 160-714		Dan Buck		Steve Lewkowycz
CA&E 431		Jeff Obarek		Jim Pechous
CA&E 308-309		Randy Hicks		
CRT/CTA 1808-1754	Rick Block		Bob Elliott
CRT/CTA 4410-4290-4412	Greg Stepanek		Greg Courvorst
CTA 41-22		Jim Nauer		Dennis Matl
SEPTA 55		Bill Wulfert		Steve Jirsa
CSL/CTA 1374		Paul Sprenger		Randy Allegrezza
CSL/CTA 144		Bill Thiel		Frank Sirinek
CSL/CTA 3142		Bob Opal		
SS 68			Bob Kutella		David Wilkins
IT 101			Stan Wdowikowski	
IT 1565			Dave Diamond		Jerry Lynn
CE 4			Joel Ahrendt		
TM L7			Andy Sunderland		
CNS&M 229		Scott Greig		
CNS&M 604 - TM L4	Bob Rayunec		Bob Sundelin

Bob Heinlein was the carline dispatcher and Frank Hicks was the car starter. In addition to these, there were many out in the yards throwing switches: Carl I., Dan M., Wes L and probably others that I've forgotten (which is why I generally don't name names, because I'll forget someone), but will hopefully fill in their name in the comments section.

There are countless pictures around the net, but the ones I know of are: hickscarworks (dot) blogspot (dot) com; and in the members gallery here on irm (dot) org under Adam Robillard.

There was some work done on CNS&M 714 on Saturday as a contactor decided that it wanted to be cleaned. (To the dismay of the operating crew which had to run a one car for the rest of the day). The able bodied crew of the Car Shop was able to work out the bugs and have the car back in service on Sunday.

CNS&M 251 made some rare runs over the three day weekend as well. This car needs a lot of roof work and some other repairs, but as sometimes happens, needs the money to do so. If anyone wishes, a check can be sent to the museum with the note of CNS 251 on it for the repair of this rare combine. It would be nice to be able to use the car on other days to provide a place for wheelchair visitors to ride the North Shore cars.

There was also the dedication of the CA&E 309 on Saturday. That is posted in another blog, as well as on the hicks website (see below).

Sunday brought some of the car department workers to help Adam Robillard of the Track Department to help tamp and level Yard 6. It's needed it for a while, and the weekend gave Adam the chance to do it with help.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

There was much activity in the Car Department this weekend. In addition to the regular work on the cars (NSL 749; PCC car; Baldy; wood "L" trailer), there was work on some more cars for the upcoming Trolley Parade. Yes, if you can, you should come out for the Fourth of July annual Trolley Parade. The NSL 229 and 251 made their way's over to the pit for some simple inspection. Again, these rare cars are just getting a check before the trolley parade.

The S105's window's are ready to go in. Work on this engine will be easier now, as the diesel department has graciously let enough space in barn 2 for this engine to be inside to have the work done on it. Thank you.

Another major event that took place was the shuffling of barns 6 and 7. A lot of rare equipment made it's way to the light of day to be switched to another track. You will have to come out and see the new line up in the barns. It should make somethings more efficient to run.

Respectfully submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

Sorry this is so late this week, but at least it will be up before this weekend.

Not a lot of shop work per say got done over the last weekend. It was Chicago Days, in which we were paying tribute to the event that took place 50 years ago. That was the day in June that the last street car ran in Chicago. So this year on Chicago Days, we had a slide show and tours on Saturday. There was also a lot of historic equipment that normally doesn't see the light of day out for people to see. Sunday was little more reserved, but we still were able to provide a good experience for those that visited. Much thanks to those in the Car Department and other departments that helped prep the cars and displays for a big weekend. Work resumed on Monday and the restoration continues.

Respectfully submitted,
Joel Ahrendt