A Brand New Look

Thanks to Richard Schauer for sending us this exciting update along with photographic proof that Milwaukee trolley bus 441 has emerged from the contractor's paint booth in fresh as-delivered orange, cream, and maroon. Remember, getting buses or trolley buses painted off-site like this is primarily a factor of money - if you've been thinking of donating, and would like to see one of our other buses or trolley bus made "good as new" like this, drop us a line!

The 441 project is nearing completion... at the body shop, that is.  As I'll discuss in a moment, it will need a substantial amount of work to return it to being an operating, complete trackless trolley.  But what a beauty she is!

On Friday, it was rolled out of the paint booth, and its full new appearance could be appreciated.  The workers there were busy painting the rub rails orange, as well as touching up various imperfections on the bus itself.  The most noticeable spot was in the point of the V on the front end, where some gold color got onto the ivory.  By the time I took these photos, it was close to being fixed.  (The white line in the orange below it is from some liquid they were using at that moment.  The employee stepped out of frame while I took the photos.)

Now, as you will see, there are some things missing.  The number on the front end, part of the TRANSPORT CO. lettering on the street side, and the number on the back will all be added at IRM.  We had some difficulty with a few of the lettering masks, so rather than create an unfixable and unattractive problem, I opted to have the letters remade as stencils and apply them later.  

We expect the shop to complete its work on 441 this week, and it will be moved back to IRM.  A partial list of the sundry items required to complete the project follows:  clean, prime, and paint trolley poles; clean, prime, and paint trolley bases and boards; reinstall poles and add new ropes; source and install appropriate roof mat material; reinstall marker, head, tail, and right turn signal lights; drill out holes for rub rails, source hardware, and reinstall; clean up, send out for chroming, and reinstall front bumper; paint retrievers and brackets; paint and reinstall builders plate; complete battery box door work; clean, prime, and paint wheels.... You get the picture.

It's still too early to pin anything down, but a date during 2024 for the completed TMER&T 441's presentation will be determined and disseminated.