Entries by Ray Piesciuk

To follow-up on Jamie's post, both cars of our 2200s pair (2243-2244) are now on the property.  The journey leading to their delivery has been a long and at times arduous one.  We anticipated their arrival quite some time ago, but the original retirement date of this series of cars was pushed back several times due to delays in delivery of CTA's 5000 series cars.  Even the specific cars we were getting changed.  Mainly through the efforts of Eric Zabely with help from Richard Schauer, JL Saunders Jr., and Nick Espevik (among others), the cars finally arrived on Wednesday July 10 and Thursday July 11, 2013.

 

2243-2244 shortly after their arrival – Photo by Nick Espevik

 

Work will start immediately on inspections and getting the cars ready for the public.  Eventually these cars, like the 2000s, will be fitted with trolley poles so they can run in service.  A HUGE thank you goes out to all of you who have supported this project, either with direct donations or through your purchase of Snowflake Special tickets over the past several years.  This would not have been possible without your support.

 

The 2200s in their first home at 50th Avenue – Photo by Nick Espevik

Today, for the first time in almost 20 years, CTA “L” cars 2153-2154 moved as a two-car train, with both cars powering properly.  After replacing a motor, then troubleshooting and solving propulsion system issues, the cars made a test trip around the carline followed by several mainline trips and performed beautifully.  Barring any unforeseen situation, this ensures that these cars will be in the Trolley Pageant on Saturday, July 06.  While there are still some minor details that still need to be worked on, there is a very good chance that these cars will be IN SERVICE before the end of the season!!!

 

A big THANK YOU to project lead Richard Schauer who spent an enormous amount of time on this project along with his main assistant David Fullarton.  And with apologies to those who are not listed, there have been many others who have helped on the project including support from Car Dept. Superintendent Rod Turner, and “wrench-turners” Jerry Saunders, Nick Espevik, Greg Kepka, Bill Ligeros, Warren Lloyd, Joel Ahrendt, and many others.

The Illinois Railway Museum is pleased to announce that it has received a $5,000 Railroad Heritage Grant from the Tom E. Dailey Foundation. This generous contribution from the Foundation has been earmarked for our CTA 2000-series "L" cars, 2153-2154 (Pullman-Standard, 1964). Specifically, the grant will greatly help fund the exterior restoration of CTA 2153-2154, in which they will be backdated to the distinctive Mint Green and Alpine White paint colors which they wore upon their delivery to the CTA in 1964. CTA 2153-2154 are the only unmodified 2000-series "L" cars in preservation, and were considered cutting-edge upon their manufacture due to the inclusion of fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, molded fiberglass carbody components, and "Space Age" design elements.

The Tom E. Dailey Foundation Inc (501)(C)(3) was established through an endowment by Tom Dailey, a senior executive in the payment processing industry for nearly 30 years. The Foundation was created as a way to to support specific causes which are close to his heart and to share the blessings he has received.

On Saturday, September 10, CTA single car #30 peeks out of Barn 2 so everyone can check out Jamie Kolanowski's awesome paint job so far.

The car should be completely painted within 1-3 weeks.  A link to a video of it going back into Barn 2 is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nn-kjCQI2A

The paving for the trolley bus west loop was completed on Friday, July 01!  It was part of the larger Depot Street project which rehabbed pavement that was up to 30 years old.  Dave Diamond and the B&G crew worked tirelessly over the past couple months to get this project done on time, by the 4^th of July weekend.  Although not yet open, we were allowed to carefully drive over the Central & Depot intersection to provide scheduled service on Saturday, July 02.  We are currently working with Max Tyms on procuring affordable line poles.  If all goes well, we will be able to start setting them shortly after Thomas.  Then the final step is to string the overhead.  Our hope is to have everything complete in time for scheduled service next season.

The last few weeks have been spent gathering, organizing, and consolidating overhead parts in preparation for the West Loop project.  Dave Diamond and the B&G crew are just about ready to start the paving phase of the project, and DC Line Superintendant Max Tyms has a line on trolley wire and is working on procuring poles.  Saturday, newly elected museum Director and department Asst. Superintendant Richard Schauer and I did an inspection on the Edmonton BBC 181 as it will be in service for attendees to the IT convention at the museum this Saturday.

Another successful IRM Snowflake Special today!  Thinking back two short years ago, we couldn’t fill a four car train, this year we sold out a SIX car train a week before the trip!  Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and helped support the museum.  It is GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Today’s trip started at the Forest Park station at the west end of the Congress line.  We started westbound – yes westbound (into the yards).  Then back east, transferring over to the Douglass line, going to and through 54th St (again into the yards).  Back eastbound, then over to the Midway line.  After going through those yards it was downtown to drop everyone off for lunch.  After lunch we went out to 63rd and Ashland and of course into the tail track.  Back downtown and out to Kimball.  You guessed it, into those yards too.  Back downtown, but not before our second annual Brown Line/Red Line race from Belmont to Fullerton.  Again this year it was too close to call.  Finally back west down the Congress line, making our last photo stop at the abandoned California station (the last of many nice photo opportunities), we headed back to our origin station at Forest Park to wrap up another fantastic trip.

A huge thanks to David Harrison, without whom none of this would be possible.  Dave did his usual great job narrating the trip including many interesting tidbits about the system and the city.  Also thanks to Bob Heinlein and Richard Schauer who again coordinated the logistics of the trip.  Our CTA crew was top notch as usual.  Thanks to all the car captains who kept order in the cars, trading their cameras for orange vests.  And most importantly, thanks to everyone who showed their support for the museum by accompanying us on the 2011 edition of the Snowflake Special.