Recreational Switching

...at least that's what my father used to facetiously call the incessant switch moves that are necessary at a place as big, and as active, as IRM. On Saturday, there was a switch move in Yard 6. Bill Wulfert was there to document the action, and he sent us these photos. Thanks, Bill!

Here, ComEd 4 has towed the Illinois Central MU cars out to the tail track.

These cars are operational, but the wire in the yards is definitely not pantograph-friendly, so they get towed in and out of the building. In this case, there was no need to power them up.

There are several IC MU trailers preserved, but 1198 is the only preserved MU motor car.

Next to emerge was South Shore line car 1100. This, too, is operational, but uses a pantograph. It was being towed by CCW 300, which was only recently made operational again after its air compressor armature was rewound.

And here's another shot of the 1100.

Next was C&NW baggage-RPO car 1304, a 1901 car which is our second-oldest Pullman passenger car after the "Ely" (though Northwestern Elevated 24 is older, of course!).

Here's the 1304 and 1100 both hanging out in Yard 6.

And this is a rarely seen view: track 61 entirely empty except for North Shore caboose 1003 at the far west end. You'll note one of our favorite interurban cars there on the left.

And finally, this isn't part of the switch move, but it's exciting progress nonetheless. The gantry over the east doorway on Track 41 has been erected! Volunteers were working on fitting everything together. This gantry will support the flip-up "wire bridge" that will allow the trolley wire to span the doorway when the roll-up door is open.