September End

Frank writes...

I was out at IRM last Sunday, but significant events in the interim have delayed my update (more on that later). Sunday the 30th was the date of a visit by the Central Electric Railfans Association, or CERA, which is celebrating its 80th birthday. There were a few dozen traction fans who came to the museum, most by charter bus, and we did our best to roll out the red carpet.

When I arrived the group was boarding Northwestern 24, giving many of the CERA folks their first ride on this car since its restoration. Above, our illustrious E.D. Nick Kallas regales the assembly with tales of 'L' cars in the olden days. This trip was just to Jefferson Street and back since the car is still running on a temporary journal bearing so we want to restrict its speed. No issues with the bearing were found.

Afterwards I worked as conductor for a trip on the two-car CRT train, 1268 and 1797, for one trip. Andy Sunderland was motorman. When we returned the CERA group departed on a trip on the North Shore cars while I was reassigned as motorman of the 1374. We ended up making a couple of car line trips with it while other Car Shop guys ran Veracruz 19. Unfortunately I failed to get any pictures of the "Matchbox" but you know what it looks like. Nick served as my conductor.

After that, Nick wanted the 4391 taken out so I was again reassigned, this time as conductor on the "Hornet." The picture above was taken when the car was coming out of the yard; the 19 is on the car line passing Barn 2 in the background.

The CERA group had departed for a trip on the CA&E steel cars, seen above returning to 50th Avenue from the motorman's position on the 4391. When they got back, most needed to head to the tour bus but some went with us for a trip around the car line. We included an extended stop at Electric Park so that our riders could shop at the "Bus Stop Shop" set up in the trolley bus barn. It sounds like they did fairly brisk business both days, which will help fund bus and trolley bus restoration efforts.

That was about it. Joel, Richard, Jeron, "Good Nick," and Greg worked to bring all of this equipment out, as did the revenue service crews. With everyone in the Car Department out on the railroad, it didn't seem like too much restoration work was in progress on Sunday, but of course there's always a lot happening outside of these brief pauses. Work continues on the Cleveland and Kansas City PCC cars, the 1754, the 28, and the 'Liner among others.

As for the reason for the tardiness of this post, you can see for yourself below. My wife gave birth to our first child on Monday, about three and a half weeks early but perfectly healthy. Of course I hope she'll eventually be a third-generation Car Department volunteer but only time will tell. Who knows? She may end up having terrible taste and liking diesels!