Marching Feet

This weekend is our annual WWII reenactment, so the property was thronged with soldiers of every sort, nurses, Red Cross workers, civilian refugees, trainmen, and visitors.  Everyone who wasn't bleeding or starving to death seemed to be having a good time.

It appears the Axis powers are outnumbered, but I believe they won't surrender easily, so you still have a chance to view the action tomorrow!

 

The armies were fighting valiantly over possession of our material yard.  I wouldn't have thought all this junk was worth the effort, but probably that's why I never made general.

But this year I adopted a more pacific attitude, and spent the whole day working.  I put a second coat of finish red on the #2 end of the 36.  Red is always a very transparent color, so multiple coats are necessary.  It may not be obvious from this photo, but up close it's much improved.  The work was done to the sound of tramping boots and constant gunfire.  It's hard to paint when you have to keep your head down....

And then the last contactor was finally hoisted into place in box #3 and bolted in place.  There's some more wiring to do, but the control side of the system is getting close to completion.  Next item will be the grids.

 All of the wrecking tools in the 36 were stolen while it was in Cleveland.  I happened to have a saw and a wrecking bar of about the appropriate size, but I need to find a sledge hammer.  I must admit it's not obvious exactly how this box was arranged.  They're all different.

 

And then there was a piece of molding which had fallen out, and I carefully nailed it back in place.  There are lots of little details to take care of on a car like this.

Most of what the B&G guys do is not very glamorous, but it's essential to keeping the Museum looking as good as it does.  You have probably visited other railroad museums where the entire property looks like our material yard, but we can be proud to have such a fine environment in the public areas for our visitors.  Anyhow, the word for today is "Recycling".  The B&G team are getting ready to pour another concrete pad behind Barn 8 for a recycling container.  In the past, we've recycled things that have significant monetary value, such as scrap iron, steel, copper, pop cans, and railroad cars.  But we want to do the right thing and recycle plastic and similar materials.  So they were out there in the midst of carnage and confusion, preparing for concrete.

Cleveland car 1218 will be arriving after Memorial Day.  I'll be on vacation then, so we'll have to rely on Frank to get pictures of it when it arrives.  When I first heard about this project a couple of months ago, I think it was Tim who told me, "Nick says we're going to get the 1218!"  The only "1218" I could think of offhand was the Norfolk and Western Class A, so I replied: "What?!?  You're crazy!  How could that possibly happen?"  The Class A will be well off remaining where it is, in Roanoke, but we will surely give the Cleveland streetcar a good home.

The Last Car From Cleveland

(Photo by Jim Vaitkunas)

When the Trolleyville collection was being distributed amongst various electric railway museums back in 2009, one car was held back for eventual display.  This is Cleveland Railway #1218, a distinctive center entrance design built by Kuhlman in 1914.  It ran as a streetcar in Cleveland until 1921, then operated on the Shaker Heights suburban lines until 1961, when it was acquired by Gerald Brookins.  And now that plans to put it on display in Cleveland have fallen through, the car has been acquired by IRM and should be arriving shortly.

The car is complete and is thought to be in very good condition, so it should make a welcome addition to our operating fleet.  Nick Kallas, of course, has been largely responsible for the negotiations needed to bring this car to Union.  Arrangements have already been made for shipping.  When it arrives, we'll post pictures of it here.

309 Inspection

 By now, unfortunately, everybody seems to have figured out that I'm lying when I try to tell you that car inspection will be fun, educational, etc.  What, you don't want to look like you just crawled out of the La Brea tar pits?  Frank shows up to help only because I threatened to write him out of my will.  Or maybe it's because this is the only operational car with our name on it.  Anyhow, everything went well and the old reliable 309 is now ready for service.  On Wednesday we did all of the heavy lifting: motors, brake adjustment, air system, and worst of all, lubrication.  On Thursday I finished up with the easier parts: controllers and interior details, such as seats and windows.  Rod worked his magic on one of the air gauges that was sticking a little.

And for the rest of Thursday, I worked on the 36 some more and walked out to check on the 321 and pick up some tools I left there.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.  We're preparing for the WWII reenactment that will take place again this coming weekend.  You won't want to miss it.  In the distance, you may notice some fences put there for crowd control.  Unlike the real WWII, steps are being taken to minimize civilian casualties.  So don't be afraid!

Among other projects going on, the indefatigable Tim Peters continues his heroic efforts on the 1024 (née 24).  Here he is working on the floor.  You will notice that he has removed the end window from the cab.  As built, the car had a wider window, but at some unknown time it was narrowed, as you may be able to see.  He is currently trying to figure out what's correct for the period the car is being restored to, and was saying he wishes they'd had color photography back in 1913. 

The mockup for the end sign boxes is really quite impressive.  This is going to be an outstanding restoration.

Meanwhile, Nature takes her usual kindly course.  The creek is still flowing merrily along after the recent wet spring.

And while we're on the subject of natural history, here's an amusing case.  This is one of the many signals in our signal display along Barn 4.  On this particular signal, a bird decided to build her nest on one of the visors.  Two little hatchlings are sitting there, soaking up the sunshine and waiting for food to be delivered.  Maybe as soon as I get out of the way.

When war breaks out, Hicks Car Works will break in to deliver the latest news from the front.  So keep in touch!

Annual checkup

Just like people, interurban cars need a regular checkup to make sure they're healthy.  At IRM that would be an annual inspection, and today my father and I got most of the 309's completed.  Trucks, motors, contactors and reversers were inspected along with the air brake system.  The motors and compressor were also oiled where necessary.  A few minor issues were fixed, like a leaky air tank drain valve that got replaced.  Tomorrow my father will finish up a few remaining items like checking the controllers, seats, windows, doors and rooftop fixtures for anything that needs fixing.  And with that, the 309 will be ready for service - and it will be on to the 308!

Betrayal!

David writes....

No, Frank and Randall have not hatched some plot of revenge and deceit on me, yet.  No, Betrayal is the name of the ABC Networks pilot that was partially filmed at IRM recently.  In fact, ABC just released a trailer, including scenes filmed at IRM!  The pilot is based upon a Dutch series, dealing with adultery, lies, deceit, and of course, betrayal.  Of course, we here at the Hicks Car Works are a family-friendly blog and do not condone any of those things. Here is the trailer:  WARNING: This trailer may be considered "Not Safe for Work" or NSFW.  We apologize for not pointing this out earlier.  After investigation, we determined the fault

 lies with low-level employees in our Cincinnati office.


Tip of the hat to IRM's First Lady, Gwyn Stupar for finding this!

Going in Circles

I spent Saturday going in circles, running the 3142 on the streetcar line.  It's always fun to get out of the shop and operate once in a while.  This weekend was Scout Days, so the museum was mobbed by Boy Scouts.  It was great to see the place as busy as it was.

My day was generally uneventful, which is typically a good thing when you're involved in train operations.  I did get a chance to stop by Barn 4 and see what was happening there, though.  Below left, Tim Peters is continuing to make terrific progress on the CRT gate car.  Here you can see a plywood mockup of the destination sign box that will be built for the car as part of its backdating.  Below right, scooping the scooper: Bob Kutella snaps a photo of Jeff Brady (left) and Norm Krentel, who had just finished steaming and clamping a plank that will help hold rooftop ladder slats securely in place on the Michigan Electric car.

Scout Day

Today was Scout Day at the Museum, and so we had a very good crowd, despite the unseasonably chilly and windy weather.  You would hope that Scouts are not deterred by little things like that!

 

Frank was operating the 3142 all day, and had a good time.  Maybe he will enlighten us further.

 

I started out doing a few minor things on the 36.  This is the compressor which we've selected to replace the hopelessly worn-out one now on the car.  I brought out a new tarp to protect it until it can be moved into the shop for overhaul.

Joel happened to be passing by, so he helped me sequence the newly-installed contactors on the 36, and they all appear to work.  So that's another step forward.

 

Here's the new IRMA sign which Dave Diamond has installed just west of the depot, as visitors enter the property.  Did we mention that it's free????

The latest exhibit in the display cars in Yard 5 is about women of the NSL, and it opened today.  I didn't have time to view it in detail, so I hope we'll get a better presentation shortly.  In the distance, at the left we see Gwyn Stupar talking to visitors.

 

But I spent most of the day as a trainman on the CA&E steel cars, 409 and 431.  The train was decorated by the Car Department with black bunting and black flags in honor of the late Jim Nauer. 

And here's the obligatory crew picture: from left to right, myself, motorman Jeff Obarek, and conductor Dave Cole. Everything went well and all the visitors seemed to be having a great time.  There's no place quite like IRM!

Southern Hospitality

 Today's activities were basically more of the same.  I attached a couple more roundels, as seen here on the signal display.

 

  And there was more painting on the 36.  Several parts of the vestibule interior were reinstalled and painted with brown primer, as seen here.  As illuminated by flash, however, the brown matches the old red paint rather closely, however.  And there was cleaning and straightening to do.

During the week the Museum is open to visitors, but the barns are not open and nothing is operating, and we don't charge admission.  We had a couple of volunteers from the Spencer Shops in North Carolina come to visit, however.  Spencer is one place I would really like to see.  It's part of the NC state museum system, and occupies the Southern's old main shop buildings.  We're always glad to see people from other museums, and I showed them around the wood shop and Barn 4.  Naturally, they wanted to see the Y-3, so I took them over to Barn 9.  While we were there, luckily we ran into Nick.  I had things to do, so I left them with our Executive Director, and more than an hour later I noticed he was still showing them around.  So I believe they must have got their money's worth!

Inspection Schedule

Ever wanted to be an inspector?  We could use the help.  It's educational and fun, too, when we can share the workload.

For this year, we're planning to inspect the 309 on Wednesday and Thursday, May 15-16, and the 308 the following week, May 22-23.  With luck, we will only need to have the cars over the pit one day apiece.  The 319 will come later.  As before, I'd like to switch between the three operable wood cars during the summer, having a different pair of cars in service each month or so.

Safe Highways

David writes.....

We here at the Hicks Car Works like to promote safety.  With the operating season here at IRM starting to get into full swing, it's time we look at this gem of a safety film.  Produced by the Chicago Surface Lines in the early 1920s, it showcases how streetcars and automobiles could coexist safely in the streets of Chicago.  

Enjoy!

In Memoriam: Jim Nauer

It is with great sadness that we must report the death of our friend Jim Nauer, who died yesterday (Saturday) after a long struggle with cancer.  He was a long-time IRM member, a President, Asst. Superintendent of Operations, motorman, and a friend of everyone who ever stepped onto the property.  He will be greatly missed by everyone at IRM, especially of course his son Scott, another active member.  We understand that arrangements are pending, and will try to report them whenever the information is available.  Again, I am sure everyone is saddened by the loss of a good friend.

Update:  Courtesy of Harold Krewer, again, this link has the funeral arrangements.

Pick a Number

 Here are your winning numbers for today.  These are the roundels, about forty so far, which we have made to be attached to the corresponding equipment signs around the Museum, for the benefit of IRMA users.  Frank did most of the work, but the material and the use of the laser cutting machine were donated by our good friends at Modeler's Choice, who make a line of modeling supplies.  I dropped the completed roundels off at Dave Diamond's office, and he is planning to attach them soon.  The blue tape covers up the words "and iPhone", because that's our next big ambition in life.

 

Most of the day I spent installing the train door on the 36, and installing the rest of the hardware.  The door handle and the headlight bracket were attached, and later painted.  (The handle was still in bare brass, so it's now in white primer, but will be red.)  And Henry had carefully installed a new ground wire going from the lower hinge to the headlight bracket, and I connected it.  So step by step, inch by inch, we're getting closer to completing the blue paint scheme. This is a big improvement, and thanks again to Henry and Jonathan.

And I put a coat of blue on the inside of a metal plate for one of the side doors.  Unfortunately it wasn't dry by the end of the day, so that will wait until next time.  At the top are several metal parts that Henry has painted with brown primer.  The green brackets are part of a woodworking machine, I think.

I worked on cleaning the controllers, and sorted parts, and so on.

And it seemed like a good time to visit the 321 again.  I picked up a couple of things I needed, checked the tarp, and went inside.  The interior, of course, still presents its usual gloomy appearance,  The floor appears to be a little damp in places, but there are no obvious holes in the tarp, so there's nothing to be done.  Except build another barn or two.

 Barn 8 Radio

I like birds, but not if they're living inside the car barns!  Barn 8 has recently had an infestation, and I want to persuade them to move elsewhere.  I don't remember where I heard this, maybe it was East Troy, but they suggested having a radio playing all the time to drive them away.  Talk radio seems to work best, they say.  I got permission from Dave Diamond to try this out.  We don't know if it will actually work for us, but it's cheap, easy, and harmless.  So we now have a radio plugged in at the main electrical panel on the south wall.  Once the birds realize it's talk around the clock, maybe they'll hand in their room keys and go back to the trees where they belong.

If you're working in Barn 8 or it's being opened for visitors, feel free to unplug the radio, but please plug it back in when the barn is being locked up.  Thanks!