1988 CERA Visit

And now for another installment in our series of historic IRM photos.

On May 30, 1988, CERA was celebrating its 50th anniversary, and visited IRM for a parade of most of our operating electric cars at that time.  (A lot less than 70, by the way....)   Mostly, the cars lined up to the west and then paraded eastward to Johnson Siding, which as you'll see was still under construction.  Passengers were not carried.  Then the crews had plenty of time for socializing and picture taking while waiting for clearance to return.  But a good time was had by all.

All images are copyrighted by Hicks Car Works and may not be reproduced without permission.

Here the 309 is on track 24 in front of Barn 2, prior to the pageant, because that's where it was living at the time.  The barn had almost no lighting, so those were dark, gloomy days inside.

And according to my notes, Olin was a guest motorman.

Here we are on the main at Johnson.

Most of the track for the siding had been laid, but much of it was not yet spiked, let alone leveled and tamped, so it was not in use.  The wood L car is the 1754.

South Shore 34 operated only rarely.  Just a couple hundred feet of the siding at the west end was in use.  And I would say that the main ended a couple hundred feet east of Seemann Rd.

And here we get to see the interior of the 34.

Glenn is driving, of course.

The streetcars provided revenue service.

The Matchbox alongside Barn 9.  

I can only hope you're enjoying this as much as I am!