Trolley Bus Department

In the Trolley Bus Department:  Thanks to the hard work of Richard Schauer, Rod Turner, Greg Kepka and Nick Espevik (I'm sure I'm leaving out others, sorry), the drag link on Chicago Marmon 9553 has been repaired and reinstalled.  The coach has been given a bath inside and out and Richard has just completed the inspection.  It has been on several test trips with no issues.  Thanks guys!!!

Bill Wagner will be visiting in two weeks for the official dedication of the Wagner Loop.  We are scheduled to hold a brief ceremony on Saturday, August 08 at 11:00am.  We may provide some service with the Chicago Marmon that day.

If all goes as planned, the Chicago Marmon, along with other coaches, will be in service for Member's Day on Saturday, September 19.  We will be having regularly scheduled trolley bus operations in 2016.  Watch for the museum calendar coming with your December issue of Rail & Wire for the schedule.

Chicago Marmon 9553 heads toward for the office for a much needed washing on 07/22/2015

In the Motor Bus Department:  Master mechanic Vince Allen, along with Fred McGullam and John LeBeau, continue to work on the CMC 605.  It is now at the point where it starts reliably.  They are currently working on the transmission which appears to be the final hurdle in getting it fully operational.

Julie Piesciuk has been working feverishly on emptying and cleaning all the motor coaches.  She has done a fantastic job on the CMC 605, and the CTA 8715.  She has also done the Chicago Marmon trolley coach 9553 and will shortly complete the Janesville 412.  We hope to have several of these open and available for inspection during our Vintage Transport Extravaganza on Sunday, August 02.

We are in the process of cleaning and reorganizing the Hoffman Garage (and the immediate area around it).  Thanks to everyone mentioned above for helping out in this endeavor, plus B&G Superintendent Dave Diamond.  If you visit over the next few months, don't be surprised if you see empty space inside, vehicles outside, vehicles inside not in perfect rows, and things in unusual locations.  We hope to have this project complete by winter to make the garage and surroundings a little more visitor-friendly in 2016.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us out and the show of support from other volunteers and visitors alike.  We look forward to continued progress!!!

After sitting idle for about 15 years, the 605 was brought back to life yesterday.  A huge THANK YOU to the crew who has worked toward this day for the past several months.  Our master mechanic, Vince Allen, along with assistance from Fred McGullam, John LeBeau, Richard Schauer, Nick Espevik, Greg Kepka, Joel Ahrendt, Rod Turner and Julie Piesciuk (sorry if I missed anyone).  It is an exciting time for the volunteers in both the Trolley Bus and Motor Bus Departments, as more coaches are added to the "operating fleet" all the time.  Our goal is to have as many vehicles as possible operational or open and available for inspection on ATTRM Convention Day/Member's Day which is September 19.  Thanks to everyone for their continued support!!!

Saturday, June 20 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of trolley bus service in Milwaukee.  Noted historian Russ Schultz, who planted the seed for this event earlier this spring, acted as the "host" for the event.  Since April he has promoted it by distributing fliers around Milwaukee County Transit garages.  For the past couple months, Richard Schauer, Jerry Saunders, Greg Kepka, Nick Espevik, and many others (including Russ himself) worked to get Milwaukee Marmon 441 back into operating condition.  Early Saturday morning (06/20) operator Jerry Saunders had the coach out of the barn and ready to go.  After greeting and chatting with early arriving visitors in front of the Glenn Andersen Trolley Bus Garage for a little while, he went into service around 10:15am.  Almost immediately the bus was packed.  Incredibly, it stayed that way virtually the entire day, until we ended service around 5:30pm.  Russ had special passes and transfers printed up for the event which were handed out to the riders throughout the day.  For those who were not able to squeeze into the 441, Richard Schauer provided supplemental service with Seattle MAN articulated coach 4020.  He was also in service all day.  After dinner we returned and gave Russ and his group an added treat of nighttime operations.  Russ couldn't be happier with how the day went.  I want to thank all the guys who helped get the 441 ready for the event and a HUGE thank you to Jerry and Richard for spending their day providing service for the throngs of visitors.  Of course this event would not have happened without Russ Schultz.  He started it all with an idea, and with support from the shop guys and operators, was there all day handing out souvenirs, talking with visitors about Milwaukee transit history, taking photos, and overall lighting up the coach with his happiness and enthusiasm.