The Latest From Trolley Bus Land

Thanks to Richard Schauer for sending along this update of progress on Milwaukee 441, our Marmon-Herrington trolley bus from that city, which is being restored off-site by a contractor.

At long last, pictures of the progress!  Things are moving along fairly well, although over the last two weeks only a little has changed because the shop's regular workload has been heavy.  And, I guess there were some holidays in there too....

The pictures begin by showing the rear end completed.  Next the rear curb-side lower corner, under the bumper wraparound, still remains to have some new metal fitted.  The street-side of the rear wasn't in bad shape, but the wraparound itself took a bit of filler because of a dent. Most of the street side has been sanded, and the part behind the rear axle is basically done.  So far everything has been found to be in very good condition.  The light yellow areas are leveling filler, and there really wasn't a lot of it used, all things considered.  A little damage to the skirting in front of the rear axle was easily fixed.

The last two pictures show the front end.  All of the puckered metal and old patches have been removed in one shot by cutting off everything under the headlights.  A couple of broken joints in the frame in this area have been repaired.  The foremen and the owners weren't available today to speak about the chrome replating for the front bumper, but I will keep on top of this work.

With the good pace of the body repairs, I have gotten back into working on the lettering files, and should be able to finish them up fairly soon and get them to the sign shop to have vinyl masks cut.  Then, when 441 is painted, the lettering will be under the top coat, as it is intended to be.  (Except, of course, for the EXIT ONLY on the rear doors; that goes on top, just because it has to be different, go figure....)