Entries by Ray Piesciuk

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!!!

2000s in their original Mint Green and Alpine White paint scheme

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.

2153-2154 at 50th Avenue Station

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 sun was just goin behind the clouds, but you can still see the shine on the paint.

CTA Car 30 on 09/10/2011

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 West Loop, freshly paved on 07/02/2011

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.  If all goes well, we will be able to start setting poles 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.  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.

Edmonton BBC 181 sits in front of the Andersen Garage as IT 518 occupies the carline 04/23/2011

Museum Director Richard Schauer works on getting Edmonton BBC 181 ready for 2011 service 04/23/2011