Entries by Joel Ahrendt

Sorry this is so late this week, but at least it will be up before this weekend.

Not a lot of shop work per say got done over the last weekend. It was Chicago Days, in which we were paying tribute to the event that took place 50 years ago. That was the day in June that the last street car ran in Chicago. So this year on Chicago Days, we had a slide show and tours on Saturday. There was also a lot of historic equipment that normally doesn't see the light of day out for people to see. Sunday was little more reserved, but we still were able to provide a good experience for those that visited. Much thanks to those in the Car Department and other departments that helped prep the cars and displays for a big weekend. Work resumed on Monday and the restoration continues.

Respectfully submitted,
Joel Ahrendt

Business was back to usual this weekend; and the weather was pretty good. The biggest thing that was happening was the preparation of all the Chicago Streetcars for the Chicago weekend. As some of you might know, we are approaching the 50th anniversary of the abandonment of Streetcar service in Chicago. That was this month 50 Years ago! We will be recognizing that event next weekend during Chicago Days. You are all invited to come out for this event. An able crew of the Car Dept. Volunteers have cleaned and prepped all of the Chicago cars.

Other work around the shop:
-CSL 144 received it's annual inspection for it's participation in Chicago Weekend and the other few days this car runs during the year.

-Our 4000's had some work done on them with replacing some worn out parts, and repainting other parts to go back into the cars.

-CTA 1268 received some work on the end. This is an ongoing project to replace wood that is more Swiss cheese than wood. It takes some time, but this has been advancing along.

-The glazing on S105's windows is complete. Next is the first coat of paint on all the windows before the second goes on.

-Interior painting on CNS&M 749 continued over the weekend.

-The IT 101 received some work on the second set of entrance doors that have been remade. The first set were finished and installed two years ago and the plywood filler doors were moved to the other side of the car so that the originals on that side could be removed and reworked. The replacement doors need to be fitted and machined a little then the glass, hinges, etc installed, and paint applied before they can too be installed back on the car!

This past weekend was a little slower than the other weekends, though that was due to the weather more than anything. IT 415 had a broken controller top on the #2 end repaired.

While the one subway car that received the new trucks the other weekend was over the pit for some work.

Work continued on the Cleveland PCC, and on the Baldy. It is a long and tedious process sometimes, of course more volunteers would speed some of the work along.

Later in the afternoon the other NYC subway car received it's new trucks. The process went a little smoother, having already had the practice on the previous one.

Sunday brought a whole different picture in the morning at least. NSL 749 went over the pit for some work before we had three waves of heavy rain come racing through. By 12:30, the rain had mostly stopped and the rest of the day was clear. Work also progressed on the CTA S105 engine, and the Michigan car. (see above note.)

Respectfully Submitted,
Joel Ahrendt