Trolley Bus Department

This week we did more cleaning in the Andersen Garage.  We were able to get all of the big parts still left in the garage palletized for easy mobility.

We also worked some more on the CSL 84.  Jerry Saunders installed all new wheel studs on the curbside rear wheel.  He then reinstalled the tires.  After an inspection of the systems, he pronounced the coach ready for testing (much to the delight of the camera-toting public).  After not operating in about 4 years, the coach suffered from a short bout of sit-itis.  But after 3 trips, it started to perform much better.  We have some minor adjustments and additional cleaning to do, but we are now able to move the coach at will.

CSL 84 (built by Brill-American in 1930) makes it first appearance in about 4 years today.

Coming up:  We plan on operating Chicago Marmon 9553 for Chicago Day next Saturday.  ETS legal is drawing up the transfer documents for our Edmonton coach.  We are looking forward to, and are preparing for its arrival.

As we wrapped up for the day (or so we thought), we were intrigued by an unusual headlight shining out the back of barn 6.  We investigated and ran into a group of Car Department guys working on getting the IC cars going.  Jerry jumped in to help and I did what I do best – watched!  After about an hour or so, sure enough out came the 2 IC cars into yard 6.  It was GREAT seeing those cars out in the daylight.  Yet another example of the kind of new and exciting stuff we are now coming to expect from the Car Department.  Can’t wait until the trolley pageant on the 4th!  Keep up the good work guys!!!!

The IC cars poke their nose out near the end of the day today.

Here’s a synopsis of what has been taking place in the Trolley Bus Department over the last several weeks.  Yesterday Bob Bourne came in from Iowa and operated Chicago Marmon 9553 in the afternoon.  We are planning on running that coach again for Chicago Day in 2 weeks.  While that was going on, we were visited by (Regular Member #1) Charlie King, which spurred Richard Schauer and Jerry Saunders to drill and mount brand new trolley boards on the CSL 84 and reconnected the trolley poles/bases.  The newly refurbished air compressor came back to life and sounded great!  We are working on getting some wheel studs to reattach the curbside rear wheels in order to get it rolling again.

In previous weeks, Richard Schauer and I have been going through our stored parts, looking for where we can consolidate and rearrange.  Howard Geier spent Memorial Day weekend working on the Curbliner (Des Moines), most notably getting the temporary back doors ready for glass installation.  We have also dedicated a couple weekends toward getting the New York subway cars closer than ever to being added to the operating fleet.  Recent steps forward were attaching retrievers for both trolley poles, and doing a thorough and much needed cleaning of the interior.  There is a little more cleaning left to do as well as a few more loose ends to tie up.  Look for them in the Trolley Pageant next month and in service, dare I say, by the end of the season???  (Reminder:  These cars are still carrying a debt.  If you can, please consider a contribution to the "NY Subway Cars" fund.  We would love to get them a decent coat of paint.)

Sorry I haven’t taken pictures for a while.  I’ll try and get some for the next entry.