Electric Car Department

Tom Sharratt Photo

Yes, it has been 45 years since the first operating cars appeared at IRM.  This Tom Sharratt Photo from September 1967 depicted nice late afternoon tranquility, surely an artsy mood shot.  We ran from a small side platform west of Olson Road, complete with flower bed, and sold transfer like tickets on the car.

This evokes fond memories, when life was in many respects simpler and the future lay before us.

The car is TM 972, and yes, we are underway with a plan to return the car to operation.  Many restoration tasks have been completed, with the next big project to replace the wheels.  Donations are needed and appreciated to Fund RTMS.  Please help.

Most of our major projects ask for donations and in large part the members and friends respond.  Often, however, accumulating the funds is slow and folks who made donations are wondering what has happened.

Many of you have been very generous on this project whose goal is to apply new tires to the wheels of two trolley cars, TM 972, and CNS&M 354.  Yesterday we placed the order for sixteen new custom rolled steel tires.

     WE ARE ON THE WAY!!

New Tire

But it is not too late to help on this milestone project.  Some matching funds have been pledged and remain on hand.  So in effect, every dollar you may donate becomes TWO dollars toward getting these new tires installed on the existing wheel centers and axles.  This is a cost effective method to renew the running gear for reliable operation on our railroad, especially compared to even finding new wheels, at any price.

Please help with a restricted donation to fund RTMS so we can all look forward to seeing these cars operate at Union.

The really BIG event of the year came off without a hitch today with the staging of the largest TROLLEY PAGEANT in IRM history.  I was involved so here are a few pics - hopefully some members will send additional images and they can be added to this entry.

Staging

This edition of the event was massive and involved staging equipment in new areas.  Before lunch the west track of the 50th Avenue station held the Vera Cruz 19 open car, the Sand Springs 68, and CSL 1374 and 144.  There was perhaps half a mile of equipment lined up west of Olson Road.

Crew

For the Sand Springs 68, the crew consisted of Rich Witt as pilot, myself as motorman, and Bob Sundelin as trolley hop.  My sincere thanks to those guys who did a professional job in helping to assure that the operation of this car went smoothly with no delays or other unplanned incidents.

Vintage Cap

Henry Vincent somehow came up with this cap and an original Sand Springs Ry cap badge!  We wore that during the operation to add one small detail to the authenticity.

Bob Miller Photo

And with thanks to Bob Miller for this image, here is my favorite photo of the day.  Of course I may be a bit prejudiced.  The Sand Springs 68, operated by me as it stops before the depot during the parade. What a great photo.

By the numbers, this was a daunting event not to be missed.  47 pieces of equipment operated.  I suspect over 50 volunteers were needed to staff and manage the event, including members from virtually every department in the Museum - including Electric Car Department, Freight Department, Electric Trolley Bus Department, Operations, Internal Combustion, Buildings and Grounds, and yes, even Steam Department!

Those staffing the event did not get to view the spectacle, and that is too bad.  Highlights included main line runbys of multiple car trains, two freight trains pulled by electric locomotives, street railway, interurban, freight locomotives, pantograph equipped equipment, and rapid transit.

The Electric Car Department was audacious in even putting together the concept, and were tireless in preparing equipment for the last several weeks, and recruiting crews and volunteers to assure it actually happened.  WOW!