Illinois Railway Museum Blog

At 10:15am on Wednesday 11/25/2015, Seattle Gillig Trolley Bus 4123 rolled off the truck trailer under its own power!  The bus was loaded in Seattle on Saturday afternoon.  Thanks to the guys at Extreme Trucking, it safely made the cross-country trip in about 3½ days.  As usual, the guys at MEHVA (Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association) out in Seattle took care of us.  They chose a coach that was in great shape and mechanically sound.  They also sent along ever critical extra parts.

Seattle Gillig 4123 officailly arrives at IRM at 10:15am on 11/25/2015.

Our coach has a build date of February 13, 2002.  It is exactly 13 years, 9 months and 12 days old.  It may very well be the youngest piece of equipment ever to join the museum's historic collection.

Seattle Gillig 4123 immediately after unloading, in front of the Andersen Garage (11/25/2015)

We were able to make two test trips and it performed wonderfully.  As this is such a new bus, there are a couple things that we are figuring out as we go and we have a couple outstanding questions for the MEHVA guys, but it was great running a bus that could easily still be in service.  We are immediately getting busy emptying, cleaning, inspecting and testing the bus and will hopefully have it in service for the Christmas event in a week and a half.

Street side view of Seattle Gillig 4123 at Central and Depot ( 11/25/2015)

In this season of giving thanks, those involved with this acquisition come to mind.  First, thanks to all the guys out in Seattle for arranging this and taking care of the loading.  Thanks to the Board of Directors for having the foresight to approve such an exciting new acquisition.  As always, a HUGE thank you goes to Richard Schauer.  He arranged the trucking and took care of all that was necessary to "de-shippify" the bus once it arrived - putting back all the things that had to be done/undone in order to ship it.  Finally, THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the Trolley Bus Department over the years.  With the previous acquisitions from MOT in St. Louis and this one, our trucking costs are in the $15,000 range.  Even though vehicles are either donated or made available at scrap value, it still costs a considerable amount to transport them to the museum.  Your past and continued support allows us to keep working and (hopefully) keep acquiring as exciting opportunities (like this one) arise.

Seattle Gillig at the Wagner Loop on the first test trip ( 11/25/2015)

We in the Trolley Bus & Motor Bus Departments wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!