The available cliches are endless, but the idea is the same: any great project has to start small and take time to develop. That certainly applies to IRM, and here in illustration is my favorite picture so far from the Mizerocki collection:
This shows the very first train of equipment to arrive at our site in Union, on May 24, 1964. The location is the main line at the interchange track, about the west end of Schmidt siding, looking east. The main line is just long enough to hold these eight cars; there is no track yet beyond the last car. From front to rear, these are CA&E cars 321, 431, and 309, then the four wood L cars 1797, 1268, 1024, and 1808, and finally the North Shore caboose 1002 (painted as Union Traction Company 12). Do you want to guess whether this collection has any future at all?
Be that as it may, the Mizerocki collection is being scanned in and provides many fascinating views of our humble beginnings. I'd like to expand the captions to identify as many individuals as possible and any interesting aspects to the work being done. Some of the pictures are pretty obvious: a roster shot of the 415 doesn't need much comment, for instance. But you old-timers in particular are welcome to post comments or send me an email with information. Thanks!!!
4 comments:
IRM is a fine example of the old saying that "from tiny acrons mighty oak trees grow!"
Ted Miles, IRM Member. Who wishes he did not so far away!
According to Rail & Wire Issue 234 (March 2013) page 16. The first special train was: "cars 321, 431, 309 (CA&E), 1797, 1268, 1024, 1808 (L cars - CRT)".
Thanks, Bill.
The picture clearly shows that there were eight cars. I was just talking about this with Norm today. The North Shore 1002 was loaded with tools, moved to Union, and placed on the lumber yard siding several weeks before the rest of the collection was moved. Norm remembers driving out to Union and spending the night in the caboose while they were doing prep work. I'm pretty sure that Bruneau said the caboose was added onto the train when it arrived at Union, and thus was the first car onto the new track, but if anyone has a different theory, speak up!
Rail & Wire Issue #29 provides a wonderful blow-by-blow description of the entire move to Union. It confirms that the first train backed into the old coal company siding to pick up the caboose before shoving the train onto Museum property, onto a track that had been laid earlier that day! All the old Rail & Wire issues are available on line. Follow the link on the IRM home page. -- Pete Schmidt
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