The Year In Review

2010 was truly an exciting year. Let's look back on some of the more memorable events of this year. Sure, I admit it, this is just what struck us as memorable. So this is the year in review from the standpoint of Hicks Car Works. Sorry, it's the only standpoint we've got.

• Of course, the year started with a bang: the arrival of the Trolleyville collection. The 36 and 319 arrived on Dec. 30th, 2009, and the steel cars a few weeks later in January. I flew out to Cleveland to help prep the steel cars for shipment. The move went well, and this has made a significant contribution to IRM's electric car roster. Work on these cars has been continuing ever since, and four of the cars are now ready for service next year. That's lightning speed by anybody's standards!
• Frank continued to work on a cosmetic restoration of Indiana Railroad 205, and it's nearly ready for final painting next year. This is an historic part of our collection and will really look sharp.
• In June Frank and I flew out to Connecticut, with Norm and Jeff, to swap motor trucks with the Connecticut Trolley Museum and obtain the correct one we needed for our #36. That was a productive and memorable three days.
  
• And then there were many special operating days. Over Memorial Day weekend, we hosted a large-scale WWII re-enactment that went very well. July 4th, of course, was the Trolley Pageant, and this year the two three-car CA&E trains were the main attraction, I would say. Want to argue? Of course, there's also the Veracruz open car -- what a neat little thing. And then there was Vintage Transport. I didn't get a chance to help out during Thomas this year, but Frank did. And so on.
• And when we weren't working at IRM, we managed to bring you a variety of useful information, I hope. News of other projects and progress appeared on an irregular basis. David continued to bring us depots from all over, and there were trip reports. And plenty of historic photos, trivia, jokes, and what not.
  
• Of course, there were many other significant accomplishments at IRM that we missed. That's why you need to follow the department blogs. The bottom line: IRM has made great progress this year and is looking forward to an even better 2011! If you're not contributing in some way, you're being left behind.
• Finally, thanks to those of you who continue to tune in. We appreciate your comments and hearing from you. That's what makes this all worthwhile.