Trolley Bus Department

On Thursday, Jerry replaced the faulty trolley bases on the roof of the Seattle 633.  We then took it out for a few trial runs and the poles, bases and boards worked flawlessly.  He also worked on the low voltage issues, clearing several of them up.  The coach also received some additional inspection, greasing and more cleaning inside – it needs more still as it was DIRTY!

Newly washed Seattle Twin 633 turning eastbound onto Central Avenue.

Friday saw the exterior of the 633 get a bath.  What a difference!  It will look even better next week as Howard Geier is scheduled to come out and buff the entire coach.  After washing, we had an impromptu “Seattle Day” as both the 633 and 4020 operated.  It was neat to see them both operating together.

Seattle Twin 633 leads Seattle MAN 4020 westbound on Central Avenue at Depot Street.

On Saturday, Bob Bourne visited from Iowa and operated Chicago Marmon 9553.  Since the railroad was closed for several hours for the trolley pageant, we became the only service.  Many trips during this time we operated virtually full loads.

Congratulations to the Car Department and all the volunteers who made the 4^th of July Trolley Pageant such a success.  Unfortunately Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, but it couldn’t dampen the spirits of everyone involved.  It was a GREAT show!!!!  WAY TO GO GUYS!!!!!!

This week we did more cleaning in the Andersen Garage.  We were able to get all of the big parts still left in the garage palletized for easy mobility.

We also worked some more on the CSL 84.  Jerry Saunders installed all new wheel studs on the curbside rear wheel.  He then reinstalled the tires.  After an inspection of the systems, he pronounced the coach ready for testing (much to the delight of the camera-toting public).  After not operating in about 4 years, the coach suffered from a short bout of sit-itis.  But after 3 trips, it started to perform much better.  We have some minor adjustments and additional cleaning to do, but we are now able to move the coach at will.

CSL 84 (built by Brill-American in 1930) makes it first appearance in about 4 years today.

Coming up:  We plan on operating Chicago Marmon 9553 for Chicago Day next Saturday.  ETS legal is drawing up the transfer documents for our Edmonton coach.  We are looking forward to, and are preparing for its arrival.

As we wrapped up for the day (or so we thought), we were intrigued by an unusual headlight shining out the back of barn 6.  We investigated and ran into a group of Car Department guys working on getting the IC cars going.  Jerry jumped in to help and I did what I do best – watched!  After about an hour or so, sure enough out came the 2 IC cars into yard 6.  It was GREAT seeing those cars out in the daylight.  Yet another example of the kind of new and exciting stuff we are now coming to expect from the Car Department.  Can’t wait until the trolley pageant on the 4th!  Keep up the good work guys!!!!

The IC cars poke their nose out near the end of the day today.