Time is ticking away on the contest clock as we try to get ready for the Illinois Terminal extravaganza on Saturday, April 30th. Just like July 4th last year, this will probably be down to the wire, but we'll have things ready for you.
In the morning, I started by putting the window shade boxes and the remaining window shade tracks into place in the 518, and installed enough screws to hold them in place.
On the 319, I started working to get the hand brake system working. This was disconnected when the car's trucks were removed for shipment, and in any case I believe the hand brakes were not functional even on the CA&E, at least at the end of service. But I can fix this. The hand brake at the #1 end now works. At the other end, there are some missing parts which I'll need to get from storage, but that should not be too difficult. And then I'll start on the other cars.
Frank and David worked on fixing a burned-out grid on the 308, and we tested it. So the 308 is a motor car once again. Since they were around, it was a good chance for me to check out the roof on car 36.
On the whole, the roof is in good condition and will not need major repairs for the foreseeable future. The only serious part is that the end of the running boards where the hook should be connected seems to be rotted out at both ends. That needs to be fixed, by replacing one section of 2x6 running board. Otherwise, the canvas and the rest of the running boards are OK. Nonetheless, this is our oldest interurban car and it will not be cleared for operation in the rain under any circumstances.
In the morning, I started by putting the window shade boxes and the remaining window shade tracks into place in the 518, and installed enough screws to hold them in place.On the 319, I started working to get the hand brake system working. This was disconnected when the car's trucks were removed for shipment, and in any case I believe the hand brakes were not functional even on the CA&E, at least at the end of service. But I can fix this. The hand brake at the #1 end now works. At the other end, there are some missing parts which I'll need to get from storage, but that should not be too difficult. And then I'll start on the other cars.
Frank and David worked on fixing a burned-out grid on the 308, and we tested it. So the 308 is a motor car once again. Since they were around, it was a good chance for me to check out the roof on car 36.
On the whole, the roof is in good condition and will not need major repairs for the foreseeable future. The only serious part is that the end of the running boards where the hook should be connected seems to be rotted out at both ends. That needs to be fixed, by replacing one section of 2x6 running board. Otherwise, the canvas and the rest of the running boards are OK. Nonetheless, this is our oldest interurban car and it will not be cleared for operation in the rain under any circumstances.In the afternoon, we went to the Safety Meeting, which was held in Marengo at the Legion, and conducted by Harold Krewer. The American Legion hall in Union has now turned into a restaurant, so we'll be getting another restaurant review soon!
After the meeting, Frank and David helped by putting all remaining screws in place in the 518, and we cleaned up the interior. The interior is now ready for service and looks great. I don't know what went wrong with my camera. Must be something it was pointing at....
After the meeting, Frank and David helped by putting all remaining screws in place in the 518, and we cleaned up the interior. The interior is now ready for service and looks great. I don't know what went wrong with my camera. Must be something it was pointing at....
Ed Oslowski has been doing a yeoman's job on the front compartment of the 277 for several weeks, and here he is in the midst of this project. This will be a great improvement to the car!
And in other news, here's the rear solarium compartment on Michigan Electric 28. The Michigan Electric crew have been working steadily on this car.
And new siding is being installed on the Schroeder store. This is a composite material of some sort which has a wood grain cast into it, so it looks like real wood.
Bottom line: you should be making plans now to attend the IT meet in two weeks. If you don't, you'll miss a lot of opportunities for riding unique equipment, photography, and informative talks and slide shows. You'll kick yourself. Or we can do it for you.
Bottom line: you should be making plans now to attend the IT meet in two weeks. If you don't, you'll miss a lot of opportunities for riding unique equipment, photography, and informative talks and slide shows. You'll kick yourself. Or we can do it for you.
2 comments:
The store looks great. I imagine it will be a very good "proof of concept" for the main street display.
With regard to the roof of the 36, was it tarred by the CA&E? When did the CA&E start tarring the canvas roofs?
The tar was applied by the CA&E; it appears that little or nothing on the 36's roof was changed at Cleveland. I believe they began applying the tar (Liquinoleum) about 1950; some cars still in the blue paint scheme had black roofs, although it's mostly associated with the final red paint scheme.
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