Entries by Joel Ahrendt

Just a quick update on things happening at the Electric Car Shop. In addition to all the normal work being done. (S105, the Michigan car, The PCC, L10). The NSL 160 needed to have a seat cushion repaired, which was done. With the Terror on the Railroad event going on, It was decided to service the batteries on NSL 714. It allowed the battery lights to come on if the pole was lost; also, the vent system would work as well. This is not the only work that's been done, but just some highlights of the work.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

As you might have noticed, I haven't done an Electric Car Department Update in a while. There were a few reasons for that, the biggest was the two weekends that had the visit of Thomas, the Tank Engine. There was work done in the shops on the various cars. The TM L10 engine has working air in it now. The Michigan car has had several updates that are under the Freight Car department blogs. Work also progressed on the Milwaukee 972 street car.

Repair work was done on CTA 3142's trolley pole and wheel assembly. The pole will now track around the carline now, and not de-wire as much. Some repair work was done on the trolley shoe of CA&E 308, as well as other minor repairs. In addition to all of that, there was some inspections and test runs of equipment that will be running for Showcase Weekend, this upcoming weekend. I certainly invite all of you to come out over the weekend, and see historic equipment running. We should be back to normal reporting after this weekend.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

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