There are two firsts represented with this post. It is my first post as a member of the Hicks Car Works reporting team. Secondly I'm reporting on my first day working in the Operating Dept. at IRM.
I was scheduled to serve as Conductor on the CA&E wood car train on Sat. utilizing the 319 and the 308. However as I left home I checked the radar and noted a storm line moving NE from the Peoria area heading right for Union.
One unexpected pleasure of the day was to watch the smiles on the faces of our passengers. It really adds something to the job. I did enjoy giving the car talks as well. A little quirk of the 409 that caused me a little confusion at first is the the trolley hooks are in different positions, the west hook near the center line of the car, the east end rather offset away from the motorman's side. Also noticed the slight difference in floor height between the 2 cars.
Phil from the Mt. Pleasant Iowa group had come out hoping to ride the 319 and look at the glass ceiling light globes. He hoped to have similar ones made for use in their 320. So we walked him over to barn 8 and went into the 319 to have a look.
We made a final trip at 4:45 and after waiting for the Diesel dept. to finishing some switching moves got the train put away at 6:30. All in all a really great day
2 comments:
Yeah.. The trolley hook on 409 had to go where the good wood is. When money is to be had, we will be working on the roof of the car, and really confuse everyone by putting the hook back where it should go. At least that's the plan
The 36 has the same problem: the running boards are all in very good condition, except just at the two ends where the hooks were attached. I'm not sure why that would be. I plan to patch in some new wood there before the poles are installed.
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