Signal Department

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