Entries by Ray Piesciuk

Last weekend (Thursday through Sunday!) we were able to finish the reorganization of the Andersen and Hoffman Garages.  A HUGE thank you to Wes Lloyd, who worked alongside me and Richard Schauer the entire day on Sunday.  Without his help it is doubtful we would have been able to finish the job last weekend.  Once complete, we gave a tour of the newly acquired coaches to President Joe Stupar, First Lady Gwyn Stupar along with other Directors, former Directors and volunteers.  Once that was finished, we all joined Frank Hicks and a good size crew to tarp one of the CA&E cars in yard 11.  It was a busy and rewarding weekend!

Yesterday started out lending a hand to Joel Ahrendt, who wanted to accomplish the simple task of moving CA&E 460 to the pit for inspection.   There just happened to be a couple trucks and two other CA&E cars blocking his path.  So we set about getting the two trucks, newly delivered for Tim Peters' 1024 project, ready to be moved.  As usual, Richard Schauer was an integral part of the team.  After a good deal of oil in strategic places, with additional help from Fred McGullam, Bob Olsen & Tim Peters, and encouragement from Marcus Ruef & Randy Hicks, we were able to get the trucks relocated.  We then switched to other two CA&E cars and Joel was finally, with cooperation from the Diesel guys, able to get 460 to the pit.

During the week, Richard and Greg Kepka acquired, primed and painted a new trolley board for Chicago Marmon-Herrington 9553.  Yesterday afternoon, with the help of Thomas Slater and David Fullarton, we installed it on the coach.  It may be one of the coaches we put into service to shuttle visitors to and from the parking lot during the Christmas event, so it was critical that this maintenance was done prior to the event.  Now, it is ready to go!!

We just received the bill for trucking the four newly acquired coaches from MOT in St. Louis.  The cost came to around $8,000.  Any assistance with defraying this cost via donations will be very gladly accepted!!!  Sorry, no pictures this week.

These past several months have seen and incredible amount of activity and progress in both the Trolley Bus and Motor Bus Departments.  I want to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us.  Not only the volunteers, but those of you who have supported us via donations - to EVERYONE who has helped, you are GREATLY appreciated!!!

On Wednesday evening, trucking company West and Son delivered our final two acquisitions from Museum of Transportation.  The first is Connecticut Company 590.  It is a 1937 Yellow Coach model 716 (Our SECOND Yellow Coach in as many weeks!)  This is a tiny bus, seating only 23.  In fact it was transported on a roll-deck truck, the kind used to haul big pick-ups or large minivans. 

Connecticut Company 590 - Built by Yellow Coach in 1937 (10/29/2015).

This is a front engine bus.  Looking at the design, that is hard to believe.  Inside, the motor is housed right beside the driver.  The photo shows the front grill missing but don't fear, it is inside the bus!  The interior is in the best shape of the 4 new vehicles.  This is really a neat little bus!!

Connecticut Company 590 - Interior View Looking Toward Back (10/29/2015).

Connecticut Company 590 - Interior View Looking Toward Front.  Yes that is a single seat facing BACKWARD next to the driver (10/29/2015).

The second one of the evening is Indianapolis Railways Trolley Coach 527.  It is a 1934 Brill and we believe it is the only surviving trolley coach from Indianapolis, home of Marmon-Herrington.  Another unique thing is that it uses two GE 1154 motors - again we believe that this is the only vehicle still in existence that uses those motors.  The 527 is in pretty tough shape, but as with all these new acquisitions, it is complete and we felt it is significant enough to save.

Indianapolis Railways 527 - Built by Brill in 1934 (10/29/2015).

These acquisitions could not have been accomplished without the help of West & Sons Trucking.  They were extremely professional and took excellent care of these somewhat fragile and non-weather resistant vehicles.  Special thanks goes out to Richard Schauer, who met the trucker upon each delivery and helped them unload.  He also has been doing research on the vehicles and has provided much of the info included here.  Thanks also to Rod Turner who helped us unload Wednesday evening.  In fact Wednesday's job was accomplished in record time.  It sure helps to have an extra pair of hands.  Thank you gentlemen!!!

All four of the new coaches will be on display in the Hoffman Garage, so next season stop by and take a look for yourself.  If any of us in the Motor Bus or Trolley Bus Departments are around, please feel free to ask us questions or even open up the buses so you can take a look inside.