Trolley Bus Department

Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Sunday, July 4. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept Update 07/04/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 18:37

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Trolley Bus Dept Update 07/04/2010

Another very productive weekend in the TB Dept. Richard Schauer and I started yesterday (07/03) by pulling out the LA Brill. We cleaned and organized the area around the coach’s spot, including some of the big components that are destined for it. We then wyed the coach and pushed it back into the garage. This will allow us easier access to work inside. Today (07/04), Richard and I pulled out 4 coaches to be included in the annual Trolley Pageant and lined them up on Central Avenue just east of Depot St. This year the pageant moved back to the carline, so we were able to be included. Nick Kallas inserted the coaches in logical breaking points in the pageant – between rapid transit cars and work equipment, between electric locomotives and interurbans, etc. We arranged the coaches in ascending age order. Richard started us off by operating the Seattle M-A-N 4020. After Nick’s dissertation about the coach, Richard went to Railroad Avenue, turned north, then parked the coach diagonally near the end of wire. The coaches stayed there on display until the parade was over. I followed with the Edmonton BBC 181, Wally Unglaub was next with the Chicago Marmon 9553, then Richard returned to finish up with the Chicago Brill-American 84. We then returned the coaches to the Andersen Garage. All in all, a good weekend!

Saturday, June 19. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept. - 06/19/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 21:02

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Trolley Bus Dept. - 06/19/2010

Another productive day. Richard Schauer, Wally Unglaub and I started by pushing the SF 614 to the front door of the Hoffman Garage. This allowed the battery compartment door to clear the coach next to it and allowed us access to install the brand new battery. Once completed we moved upstairs. Several weeks ago, Richard and I replaced the trolley bases on the roof of the coach. Today, it was time to replace the poles, which had to be done outside. The three of us mustered up the strength once again to push the back half of the coach outside the garage. The poles went on without too much of a struggle. While I took a couple hours away to video the 749 dedication (Nice job Gwen – you put on a GREAT show!!! The 749 looks FANTASTIC!!!!), Richard found two good retrievers, installed rope on them, tied the ropes to the poles and it was ready for action. After the dedication, we used the stinger to put power to the coach. After the inevitable troubleshooting, we were able to run it back into the Hoffman Garage. Richard has been slowly but surely replacing trolley rope on many of the coaches. Today it was the 4020. We still have a few more to do, but he’s made a nice dent in that little project.

Wednesday, June 9. 2010

Flight Over IRM Video Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 06:10

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Flight Over IRM Video

For those of you have haven't already seen it, there is now a YouTube video available for viewing which features footage from inside one of the planes flying during the WWII reenactment Memorial Day weekend. Here's the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaXDiyPfxQg

Monday, May 31. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept. - 05/31/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 23:25

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Trolley Bus Dept. - 05/31/2010

This weekend was a FULL one to say the least. We spent the previous week pulling seven coaches out of the Andersen Garage and readied/helped decorate it for the USO dance Saturday night. The weekend itself was filled with troubleshooting (the Edmonton coach which gave us some minor problems), filming and even a little baseball. In addition, we provided service to and from the dance starting at about 6pm until the end of the dance at around 10pm on Saturday night. We were also able to clear out the garage and return the coaches to the building by 6pm today (Monday). Richard Schauer was a HUGE part of making this weekend go as smoothly as it did for us. Thanks so much Richard!!!!

The personal highlight for me had to be the opportunity I had on Sunday to fly with one of the WWII planes that were adding to the battle realism all weekend. Here are a few of the photos. (I’ll post video on YouTube as soon as my editing software starts cooperating).

The Zephyr on the Main Line

The Anzio Battle as seen from the Air

The C A and E Cars at Johnson Siding during the Battle

The Museum Looking South Easterly

The Museum Looking North

The Andersen and Hoffman Garages

Thanks to reenactors Phil and Rebecca who arranged the flight and pilots Steve and Randy who graciously offered to take me up to get photos and video to help promote the museum in print and on TV.

June is our target month to start on the restoration of the LA Brill.

Tuesday, May 25. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept - 05/25/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 08:55

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Trolley Bus Dept - 05/25/2010

Those of you who are members should be receiving your June issue of Rail & Wire shortly. They went into the mail 05/18 - a week ago today.

Last Thursday, Richard Schauer and I moved 7 coaches out of the Andersen Garage so the WWII folks could start setting up for the USO dance that will be held there on Saturday, May 29.

7 Coaches Out in the Sun

We will join with the streetcar to provide service to and from the dance. We also did some waterproofing on the Seattle 4020. On Friday B&G came by to power wash the garage floor (thanks guys!). Afterward, I swept out as much of the excess water as I could. That night we had a table at the Rockford Riverhawks game promoting the WWII event. Rebecca, one of the WWII reenactors, accompanied by the other "Rockford Peaches", represented (and promoted) IRM and threw out the first pitch.

Rebecca Throws Out the First Pitch

The girls promoted IRM and the WWII event and were a big hit with the fans

In addition, Ed Rosengren did an interview with the radio play-by-play guy during the third inning.

Ed Rosengren Promoting IRM During Play-by-Play

We spent all Saturday and Sunday working on some nagging little issues - cleaning, oiling, etc., as well as reattaching the motor compartment cover on the Seattle 633. Yesterday (Monday) we had the Chicago Marmon running around for the WGN shoot. We also had to move the Edmonton 181 to get the Marmon down to the west end. Unfortunately when we went to put the coaches away, the 181 would not move. Richard worked on it for about an hour, but no luck. We ran out of daylight, so will be working on it again during the week and/or this weekend to try and get it going again.

Monday, May 3. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept. - 05/03/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 19:06

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Trolley Bus Dept. - 05/03/2010

The weekend's work: Wally Unglaub continued cleaning the interior of the SF 614 while Howard Geier continued buffing the outside. It's really starting to look nicer - thanks guys, the work is paying off! I was filming for the June episode of IRM-TV, Richard Scahuer worked on the nagging problems plaguing the singles, and Jerry Saunders was involved with the massive switch move. I have some videos of the switch move on You Tube. Here are the links (hope they work). Saturday's move video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHKXjne8t8&layer_token=ed363534fe30966f and the video from Sunday can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNw1x8c0q1E&layer_token=20d3430210a4954e. Sorry for the video quality, it seems the better the camera, the worse the video looks on You Tube. Next weekend we plan on completing the maintenance of the overhead switches and getting the line back into service. We may also try and tackle reattaching the poles to the 614. Today I took the department truck (the Dodge Locomotive) into Tim's right in Union for some work. The service was outstanding - he earns the TB Dept. "highly recommended" seal of approval. Thanks Tim!!!

Sunday, April 25. 2010

Trolley Bus Dept. Update - 04/25/2010 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 14:52

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Trolley Bus Dept. Update - 04/25/2010

Over the past several weeks, Wally Unglaub and Howard & Mary Geier have been cleaning the interior of the SF 614. Howard has also done some test buffing on the exterior of the coach. All these jobs are not yet complete and will continue over the next month or so (at least). Richard Schauer and I have been working on replacing 614’s old trolley bases (which had broken springs) and replacing one of the poles which was bent. We still need to drag the coach out of the barn to reattach the poles and replace the battery. At that time we hope to be able to move it under its own power again. This weekend, Jerry Saunders worked on repair and maintenance of the overhead switches. Max Tyms helped him properly cut power and Dave Diamond allowed us to use a B&G bucket truck for the day (thanks guys!). He still has a few to do so the line will be out of service until next weekend, but he repaired the manual switch in front of the Andersen Garage! Finally, Richard and Jerry went over to the car dept. to help inspect and do some maintenance on the CTA Singles to get them ready for service. I have been working in B&G inventorying some new CTA sign acquisitions. Check out the “CTA Sign Sales” link from the home page as about 50 new signs (mostly bus stops) have been recently added.

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Comments

Philip Cwikowski about Steam Department Update 5-19-2012
Sun, 05-20-2012 17:31
I would like to make a note of a couple of things. The sandblasting process involves taking the sand like material, called blackblast, and smashing it [...]

lucien o. about B&O Boxcar Update - May 9, 2012
Fri, 05-18-2012 22:48
This is one interesting freight car. I've been browsing images on-line of these B&O wagon-top cars lately, and noticed a variety of lettering and [...]

James Kolanowski about Diesel Days, July 16th and 17th, 2011
Fri, 05-18-2012 12:03
Mark, Its hard to say if 760 will be running in early July. It will be for Diesel Days, but I can't answer yet if we'll have it ready sooner than [...]

Mark Johnson about Diesel Days, July 16th and 17th, 2011
Thu, 05-17-2012 13:13
Im going to drive from California to the Chicago area in early July and staying for about 3 weeks. Im a big fan of FM units. Any chance the MILW 760 [...]

Norman about Model Railroad Public Display - April 28 , 2012
Sun, 05-13-2012 11:44
Line sidewalks and steets with rail ties and fill with small pea gravel. Similar to construction near Lincoln Home in Springfield, IL.

Roger Kramer about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Fri, 05-11-2012 10:45
Thank you. If you are send pics to Irm in mail,Please make it attention Roger Kramer. Thanks..

Don Vaughn about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 17:08
I will be sending some color photos of the CGW 285 shortly after rebuilding by the CGW. And yes, they had chrome grabs and the end gate. I had been [...]

anon about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 12:58
Yes there are some chrome plated partsespecially on the sissors gate. Unfortunately, they were recently taken off, and left in the gravel. I have [...]

Lucien O. about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 00:46
The book "Chicago Great Western Color Guide" (Morning Sun) has some interesting notes about these CGW combines: [BEGIN QUOTE] "In 1954 the CGW bought [...]

Wally Unglaub about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 21:42
Nigel, What you just told me is great news. YOU clarified things for me.

Nigel Bennett about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 20:34
Wally, I must say that I am puzzled by this comment. The whole driver for the current work is the major FRA mandated inspection (15 year 1472 [...]

Wally Unglaub about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 16:39
I am just afraid that by the time 1630 is up and ready to run, it will have to be dismantled again to do the Federally mandated inspection. I am [...]