At least that's what the blue sign says. Today I did the inspection on the 308, and everything got finished.
Tim helped for a while by running the pump for lubricating the armature bearings. I should have taken some pictures of what he's doing on the1268; today he laid out the numbers on the sides of the car, among other things.
After the lubrication was done, I pulled the 309 out and made up the train in preparation for revenue service. As mentioned before, we'll be running all three days over Memorial Day weekend.
Here's a couple of close-ups showing how a Van Dorn coupler is mounted, if you were wondering. I measured the springs, and it appears either one should compress no more than 2".
Somehow it seems like a lot more than that when we're switching!
At least that's what the blue sign says. Today I did the inspection on the 308, and everything got finished. Tim helped for a while by running the pump for lubricating the armature bearings. I should have taken some pictures of what he's doing on the1268; today he laid out the numbers on the sides of the car, among other things.
After the lubrication was done, I pulled the 309 out and made up the train in preparation for revenue service. As mentioned before, we'll be running all three days over Memorial Day weekend.
Here's a couple of close-ups showing how a Van Dorn coupler is mounted, if you were wondering. I measured the springs, and it appears either one should compress no more than 2". 
Somehow it seems like a lot more than that when we're switching!
I have been enjoying the learning about these historic cars. I have a couple of questions, based on fleeting memories of riding these cars.
ReplyDelete1. You showed the ice chippers for the third rails. Is this common on other lines that use the third rail? (CTA for example)
2. One of your pictures is of the "32v batteries". Yet I seem to remember crossings when the cars went totally dark. Were the batteries to support lighting or something else?
3. On another note, I recall motormen giving two quick buzzes on the buzzer cord to start trains. (Sometimes also the wave out of the door). Was there a system of control buzzes? I don't recall anyone pulling the buzzer to stop the train.
4. I don't recall "steps" to help get on the trains west of Maywood (where the platforms were high). How did the infirm or heavy get on the trains?
5. I grew up about a block from the Villa Park station, and while I heard the whistle a lot of times, I don't recall hearing the "bell" which is used at IRM. Was it a standard practice to ring the bell when starting up?
Thanks for shedding light on any of these...your blog provides great information, and I look forward to your notes and pictures.
One more thing....do you plan to update the car history for the two 450's?
Thanks for posting! Interesting questions. I'll try and answer them... hopefully correctly...
ReplyDelete1. North Shore and CTA cars had smaller sleet scrapers that were less hefty than the CA&E's and, if memory serves, did not employ a cast shoe.
2. Your memory is right, the CA&E's wood cars didn't have batteries. The steel cars all had them as built but the 420's and most Pullmans were rebuilt without them in the 1950's. Our only CA&E cars that still have batteries are the 450's.
3. You remember right - there was a buzzer signal system between the conductor and motorman but passengers would not have used the buzzer cord.
4. Good question!
5. What you may be hearing at IRM is the floor gong on the North Shore cars, which is often used when starting up. CA&E cars were never fitted with floor gongs and only had whistles, probably because they had less street running (none, towards the end) than the North Shore did.
I'll add a little more:
ReplyDelete3. The rule book specifies one long buzz to indicate "stop at the next passenger stop." Presumably this was for use by passengers; I'd be surprised if it was never used.
4. The steps on the earlier wood cars are really a wretched design. The second step has a rise of 14", about twice the usual spec, and it is indeed very difficult for some of our visitors. The 319's steps are like the later steel cars and will be much easier.