Wood Shop

We interrupt our regularly scheduled report to bring you this late breaking news.

On May 27, 2013 the Chicago and West Towns 141 electric trolley car entered regular public service at the Illinois Railway Museum.  The car ran well on our car line route, carrying capacity riders to the delight of our visitors and members alike.  The car last ran under its own power in 1947 and represents decades of work by our volunteers and staff alike.  FRANK SIRINEK led the project and ROD TURNER, the Electric Car Department Curator, invested time and money, the support of the crew of mechanics, electricians, and restorationists to make this possible.  I am sure you will see more news and pics of this event in coming days.

Back to your regular programming. 

Table Saw

The table saw being restored for use in the woodshop is making progress.  Here is the restored quadrant - miter gauge mounted on the sliding table.

First Aid

Rich Witt is carefully taking measurements and making a working drawing to construct a set of replica FIRST AID BOXES for our CA&E cars.

Priming

John Faulhaber is priming many new panels and parts made for our Cleveland Transit System 4223 PCC car.

Stripping

Bill Peterson is using a new paint stripper to remove years of finish on the curved steel panels that once held ad cards in the 4223, while new Board member Norm Krentel looks on.

Cleaning Up

After the paint stripper is done, Bill Peterson cleaned the remnants down to bare steel with a power wire brush.  It was not too cold so Bill moved outdoors for this messy step.

Light Panels

Paul Cronin, Bob Kutella, and Rich Witt are working on the last set of old ceiling light panels from the 4223.  These old fixtures are well and truly mounted with very rusty hardware that fought well for every screw removed.

Gaskets

Eric Lorenz pulls out the old rubber gasket that runs along the bottom of each window sash.  Amazing that we were able to source new material.  It does not go in easily but many more were completed.

Results

And the results speak for themselves in this view of the front half of the right side of the 4223.