September out like a lamb (?) at HVRM 9-28-2013

Hello!

 

Beautiful day at Hoosier Valley today.  Made it into the low 80's by the afternoon, but a nice breeze kept it comfortable.

 

This will be a short report as I was asked to work in the depot today by Loretta Kosloske.  Fortunately, Bob Barcus did show up due to a schedule

change, so I only had to sell tickets.  I didn't screw too many things up, but then it's hard to teach an old dog (like me) new tricks!  My apologies

for my derelictions of duty!  Because I spent most of the day in the depot, I didn't get around to see much of what else was happening, thus the

meager report.

 

Diane Bennett was working with Bob in the museum gift shop.  Margrett Cook hosted lunch in the old NKP camp car, which is now our dining car.

 

I did manage to get the signals turned on in the morning, and they performed flawlessly all day, including both of the Erie semaphores.

 

The morning run to English Lake had the best patronage, but there were passengers on all of the trains.  Also had a guest engineer between the first
and second passenger runs of the day; a gentleman from Oak Park, Illinois.  He and his wife also later rode the 1:30 p.m. train to English Lake.

There were a lot of members on the passenger trains today.  I think that perhaps they were getting re-certified. 

 

Steve Newland continued working on repairs on the second story floor of Grasselli Tower.

 

Cory Bennett had the welder out and was working on the repair of parts for the back hoe.

 

Bing Risley was cutting grass around the refrigerator car building and track storage yard.

 

Heard a report today that said that both ex-Chessie SD-18 #7311 that used to work on the JK Line and the ex-L&HR C-420 that was long stored at

Hoosier Valley, both were seen heading east this week at Milford Junction on a CSX freight.

 

As I said, a short report.   Here comes October, and autumn!  Have a great week everyone!

 

 

Les

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

Fall Is In The Air Today, Tomorrow Will Be Fall

Greetings to Everyone,
 
What a glorious day it was a North Judson IN today. Signs of fall are everywhere.
Leaves are changing color, corn is turning to brown, beans are turning, a crisp
wind from the north made it an excellent day to be a part of HVRM.
 
Membership meeting was at 8am sharp. A quorum present for a meeting today.
Discussion of turning the Metra car into a eating facility was discussed. Some
different ideas were presented to the membership. After some clarification of
exactly what the car function would be, tables, chairs only, no food prepartion in
the car itself, me an Les proceeded after the meeting to set up a table an chair
to show everyone that the overhang would not interfer with bumping your head.
Some other ideas were brought up. Making a small table for 4 persons on each side
of the aisle. Tables lining the entire lenght of the level floor. I think it will work,
moving out of the cramped kitchen car dining facility. The problem of how to heat
the car in winter, to keeping it cool in summer were talked about. Use electric baseboard
heat in winter, opening upper level window with screens put in, window fan sucking
out hot air and pulling in fresh air from the center doors. I believe that it can be done,
the car being insulated and having tinted windows. No word of the outcome.
 
Board meeting was held after the membership meeting an adjourned about 10am.
The 25th Anniversary went off very well, over 300 rode the train, many more ate the
lunch, and everyone enjoyed the live entertainment around the museum.
 
After adjourning, the train was readied with Alco 310 for today engine, MKT open air
car, LIRR coach and EJ&E handicap car was added to consist to check out the
brake issue from last week that was corrected. B&LE 1989 caboose was at the
west end of the train. Well over 100 people rode the train today.
 
A large group working on the backhoe tractors transmission to take it out for
service. Cory, Sparky, Ben, John, proceeded to get it out in record time. After lunch
it was lowered on to a wood pallet and taken over to Richard Warners building for
pickup next week to be repair. What exactly the problem is unknown at this time.
Fluid did smell burnt and had metal shavings in the pail.
 
After that was accomplished, Mark, John, Cory, Sparky, Ben all went down with the
air compressor to tamp 25 ties put in last week. Mark during the week spiked all
the ties by himself. Until the tractor is fixed, no track work to be done!
 
Les worked on the passenger car painting loose ends to complete the car in green.
 
Bjarne fixed a few spots on the Troop car with paint.
 
Steve Hendrics used the man-lift to prime paint the eaves on Grasseli tower. Joe
Baker worked inside the upstair tower area. Steve Newland showed up later to
work on window frames.
 
Diane Bennett fixed lunch for the crews today, Margret was at home with David today,
resting from some blood pressure issues. Lunch went quick today, as many people
stepped up to eat. Good soup today.
 
I stuck around till almost time for the train to return, but headed out on the road
beside the C&I and caught it where the road crosses over, for a couple of next
photos. On the way up I say a flock of wild turkeys, must of been 20 or more all
on the rail row. Big looking bird. Hunting season is around the corner too.
 
Took the back way home thru Wellsboro. The elevator is getting very close to being
open again with new machinery everywhere. The fertilizer building is getting closer
each day for loading. I saw Chessie 7311 on the lead track to CSX. Diesel 850
and C&I IC engine were on a siding near the elevator.
 
Fred was working on the yellow caboose roof today. It gets closer all the time for
paint inside an out.  Primer inside should happen soon. Bjarne has not hear from
the ICHS, Les said he would get in touch with his inside contacts to see what the
problem is with getting the lettering prints.
 
Concrete is still on the adjenda, having only to find the time to pour it in between
track work  and fixing tractors.
 
Have a good week, drive safe, hopefully the U.S. goverment will not shut down on
Oct 1st due to budget problems.
 
Tom Travis

A Quiet Saturday 14 September 2013

Greetings to all,
 
Quiet Saturday at HVRM compared to last weeks 25th Anniversary party. Beautiful
weather, 42 degrees going down this morning with lots of fog south of US30 at the
gravel pits, but once by there, clear blue sky.
 
Arrived in time today for the board meeting, was cancelled prior due to Cory being
on the road, Doug gone for the day. Well it didn't work that way, Doug did show up,
Bob Barcus only one did not show up, but forged ahead with the days activities.
Board meeting is now scheduled for 8am, 21 Sept. Doug had train conductors
to train for the day, 3 were there for work. Doug was conductor, Fred, engineer.
 
I drove to Fingerhut for a quick breakfast, met up with the local amateur radio
operators and talked for 20 minutes or so. Busy place this morning, all tables
were filled and more people just kept coming in. Finally got a corner table,
had already ordered, and got my food fast. On the way down, John was on the
payloader getting a stack of 25 ties for the Erie line. By time I arrived, changed clothes, maybe 5 ties were installed. Mark, John, myself and new guy Sparky,
Dave backhoe operator. Tie replacement went well up till a little before noon,
when backhoe tractor hydralic system started to act up, system was very slow
responsing. Went for lunch, back again, tractor would not go backwards, checked
oil level, seemed normal. Dave went an got more fluid to top off system, but
slownest  persisted and the last 5 tie removal an inserting new ties extremely
slow. By then tractor would not back up in reverse, so Dave just came up to
tie at an angle and proceeded to work with difficulty. Finally finished and Dave took
off with the tractor to the shop area, he had to leave early anyway, so the problem
will have to be looked at next week. Some ideas on problem, bad pump in hydralic
system, but why would pump affect backing up tractor? Went forward just fine.
 
Finished up an back to depot for rest. 2:45pm train departed, arrived back at
little after 5pm. Oh the EJ&E car had been set out before first run due to car
would not pass brake test. Will be looked at next week. Train put away on
siding, Alco ran down to diesel 850, hooked up and moved it out on C&I mainline
for pickup later next week.
 
A couple of guys from MRM stopped after the 2:45 train left, said they knew
Dennis Sloane. Next weekend is the big blowout train weekend down in Montecello
IL. Steam engine 401 will be operating, along with an assortment of other diesel,
freight, passenger trains. Some new items for the show will be on display.
 
Ross Robinson, member from Ottawa ONT Canada, had knee replacement on
his left knee Friday morning, I will have a get well card in kitchen car for signing.
We hope all is going well for Ross. He will be in ortho rehab for 2 weeks, then
back home. He hopes to have the right knee replaced in January of next year,
in time for summer traveling in his small camping trailer.
 
That it for now, enjoy the beautiful weather, drive safe and see you all next
Saturday at North Judson....
 
Regards
 
Tom   
 
 

HVRM 25TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE 9-7-2013

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum 25th Anniversary will be a day to remember for everyone
who attended. It was a very comfortable day temp wise, only a few sprinkles in late afternoon,
but otherwise perfect for a good time.
 
The activity started Thursday with tent set-up and parking signs and getting the grounds
to look good. A long day for everyone who participated. Big tent for the food tent, good size
tent for the Bluegrass music tent and lots of little shelters for various things. The grounds
were mowed to perfection, trash picked up and cleanups everywhere. Cory, Mark, John,
Tom, Les, Diane, Bing, Dave were all on hand for this work. Mostly everything was all
ready up when I arrived, due to driving school bus, I got some help putting up a small
10X20 shelter. I helped put up some tent also. Les worked on painting the east end of
the passenger car. He finished just as I went down to see him and we went down to
Fingerhut for coffee and donut break. Levi Mayes was already there having lunch, so we
sat with him for about an hour. Levi grew up near the Virginian Railway, remembering the
yard, steam engines, lots of very interesting early years living conditions in the mountains
of West Virginia. I had to leave by 12:30pm to get back for the afternoon bus route. Les
continued working on the flower bed, weeding, and planting a few native species from
the railway right of way, that grow wild in the summer. Mark painted a couple of switch
throws. John, Mark and Les picked up all the burnt wood that was at the west end of the
tool car down to a pile of dead trees near the wye area. Bob Jacqim brought down some
traffic horse for the parking lot.
 
Things on Saturday started early. Lots of things needed to be done getting set up for the
days activities. Visitors started to come in early for a look at our museum depot and shop
areas.
 
8AM was the Flag Ceremony by the American Legion Post #92 at the flag pole area. A very nice
ceremony was held with at least 12 legion members present with the colors, trumpet player,
and flag raisers. Peggy Bohac photographed most of the day events that went on all over
the museum grounds. She did an excellent shoot of the flag ceremony with a group photo of
legion members and HVRM members. Many thanks to Peggy for her efforts.
 
9AM with the magic show for kids, along with face painting & temporary tattoos, which was
very popular with the kids, everyone had something. The Fair Oaks Mobile Dairy trailers showed
up for display and was a popular exhibit.
 
11AM was the first train of the day to English lake. The train had a full consist of cabooses,
LIRR air conditioned coach car, 2 open air flat cars and the EJ&E transfer caboose for wheel
chairs recently repainted an lettered for the anniversary. Alco Erie 310 S1 was the engine for the day, with GE #11 Interlaken Steel, was on standby duty. C&O 2789 2-8-4 was pulled out of the
shop for display. Shop buildings were open to the pulblic and lots of folks visited our work areas. The Illinois Central caboose was still in the shop being restored along with the Whitcomb
diesel. Grasselli tower was open for display both down and upstairs areas. Signals were
on displaying colors and working semaphores. The Union Pacific motor car was on duty
for rides out on the Erie line to the east. It was on the caboose track and went out thru the
switch and on to the mainline. The total ridership for the day was over 300 riders, good turnout.
 
12 Noon the train returned and the hog roast lunch was in full operation with a long line
of hungry people waiting clear up to the wood platform at the depot.  The guest engineer project
also had one person run the Alco out on the Erie line for about an hour. The pork was excellent
and plenty to go around. The Peter Nye Bluegrass band was playing and had a good group
listening to the music. The band rode the 2:45 train to La Crosse, going to in the LIRR coach
and coming back in the the Katy open air car. While in La Crosse, they brought the instruments
to the grounds and started playing again for 30 minutes or so till train loading. A large group
formed around them listening. A retirement ceremony was going on inside the library and when
it ended everyone came outside to listen also.
 
2:30PM train return from English Lake the Culver Pipe & Drums were playing music on the depot
platform. Wonderful to hear bagpipes coming into the station. The group was excellent and music
wonderful. A very large crowd was on the platform was waiting to board the 2:45pm train to La
Crosse. The crew pulled the consist down to the runaround track, switched the engine to the
west end of the train in record time, recoupled. air pumped up and pulled up to the platform an
departed almost right on time. I rode the NKP bay window caboose along with conductor John
DeGan and 2 conductor trainees. The 1:30 train ride to La Crosse, my wife Maureen and daughter
Brianne rode with me.
 
Returning from La Crosse at 5pm, the events were winding down, tents had already been taken down, things being put away. By 6PM everything was back to normal, tent stakes pulled out of
the ground by Bing and his little skid loader bucket, tables and chairs put away. The train was
switched on various tracks, locked up, 2789 pushed back into the shop and #310 put away.
Some time was spent in the depot after all way done to cool down and reflect on the days
activities.
 
Joe Kingsbury had his steam engine 4-4-0 on display all day in the parking lot. Amazing piece
of machinery that was totally machined and put together by Joe.
 
Maybe in 5 years, another anniversary open house will be put together bigger an better than
the 25th's. Amazing what has been done in the last 20 some years in North Judson from
nothing to a tourist operation. Train rides continue to the end of September. The museum will
be open every Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Come out an visit. The next 6 months will be
getting ready for next year. Restoration of rail cars, tie replacement track work on the main line
is needed badly.
 
Some old members showed up Saturday that have earned respect from all HVRM members.
Dan Siple, Bob McKown, Chuck Ness, Elmer Mannen, Bruce Emmons. Good to see everyone
out visiting. Watch for the next newsletter giving a full wrap up on all activities for the day.
 
Again many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event happen. Come on down next
weekend, any beats pork sandwiches for lunch?
 
Tom Travis, Restoration Grunt 
 

Rain, rain, go away.....No! Stay! at HVRM 8/31/13

 

Greetings one and all!

 

August 31st, and Labor Day weekend.  Traditionally, the end of summer.  Had some hot, hot weather this past week.  Storms through last night and then a lot of rain came in today.

 

Doug Kosloske was working with future conductors in a training session in the NKP kitchen car.

 

I arrived right during some heavy rain this morning.  Bob Barcus, conductor for the passenger trains today was soaked from getting the passenger train ready to go.  I tried to turn on

the signals, but was raining too hard to make it to the electrical signal box, so turned on the light on the train order signal at the depot.  Finally made it over and turned on the signals

hoping that the top blade on the double semaphore (signal 948-1) would go to green.  Turned out that the single semaphore (signal 921-1) wasn't working at all, so became a "red"

signal meaning that the top blade on signal 948-1 only had to go up to yellow when the block cleared.  Whew!  Had a big group of Mennonite folks on the 11:00 train and fortunately,

the rain let up just before departure.  Not sure what the total passenger count was.  Train consisted of the EL Alco #310, LIRR passenger car #2937, MKT flat car (open car) #13833

and B&LE caboose #1989.  EJ&E transfer caboose #184, which has our wheel chair lift on it, was again, not on the train due to flat wheels.  The 11:00 train departed on time with

John DeGan at the throttle.  Joe Kingsbury and Randall Downs were car hosts, with Steve Henrichs, conductor trainee, riding along.

 

The rain is sorely needed here as it has been a particularly dry August, so although heavy, it was very welcome.

 

Meanwhile, another crew (with John LaOrange as engineer) and using GE 95-ton diesel #11, had been out east of Main Street with EJ&E #184, grinding down the above mentioned

flat spots on the wheels using a set of  abrasive/grinding brake shoes and running the 11 and 184 up and down the track.  The operation was a success and after the 11:00 train departure,

the GE put the 184 back into the Shop and then took number 11 back east and set it on the long storage track before breaking for lunch.  After lunch, the crew took number 11 and did

some switching.  There was more heavy rain, lightning and thunder before the 1:30 p.m. train departure and the open car was closed to riders.  After the 1:30 train left, the switching

crew brought the Alco C-420 over west and parked it next to the Shop in preparation for a possible eventual move from the museum.

 

Light work crew today because of the holiday, but Bob Albert continued with interior work on the IC yellow display caboose.

 

I managed to finally get a pattern made for the grab iron that has to go onto the TTX flat car.  I also managed to give Dave Cook and Cory Bennett a hand with brake shoe replacement

on EJ&E #184, after the abrasive/grinding shoes were removed.

 

Steve Newland continued work on the interior floor of Grasselli Tower around the chimney area where the floor had deteriorated and the floor boards need replacing.

 

Sun finally broke through around 4:00 promising a muggy Sunday, before more rain is supposed to move in and cooler temps arrive next week.

 

Have a great holiday weekend everyone.  Enjoy this "last gasp" of summer.  

 

 

Les

 

P.S. Remember next Saturday is the open house for HVRM. Many activities

are planned for everyone, kids to adults. Bring your appetite, a hog roast

is planned for lunch. Many tents are planned on being put up Thursday

morning.

 

Come on out an enjoy the fast approaching FALL weather, see all the

newly painted cars from over the summer. The gift shop is stocked with

everything from train pictures to T shirts.

 

Stop by Grasselli Tower and see all the work accomplished over the summer.

The lower level is accessable now around the boiler.

 

Be looking for you at the HVRM's OPEN HOUSE 7 September 2013!!!

 

Tom Travis

 

   

 

 

Late Summer Doldrums...not at Hoosier Valley on 8/24/13

Greetings!

 

Late hot summer weather with kids heading back to school and vacations still occurring, seems to be a good background for slowing things down at the railroad museum.  Not so HVRM.

 

Arrived just after 9:00 to find the train already sitting at the depot for the 11:00 departure.  The "Gandy Dancers" of Mark Knebel, David Cook, John LaOrange and Cory Bennett, were

working on replacing a couple of switch ties on the east end of the museum property.

 

I went over and took some measurements requested by a gentleman in Australia (NOT a misprint) who is going to be making a model of the F30D TTX flatcar like our number 475037.

 

I noticed that the museum signals were not working, so I went down to the electrical box and turned them on.  All seemed to be functioning perfectly, but more later.

 

Fred Boyer was showing a couple the second floor of Grasselli Tower, so I wandered down to the lower level.  We had talked about removing a couple of the wood planks that comprise

the walkway to the interlocking machine so that future visitors could get around the old "octopus" hot water boiler furnace that is still in the tower.  Right now, the lower lever is loaded

with "junk", but eventually it too will be cleared up and then visitors can walk all the way to the back of the structure.  One alternative to removing the walkway planks would be to move

the old furnace over closer to the wall, although that would be quite a chore and also entail new piping, even though the furnace will always remain non-operating.  It took some time to

find the correct wrenches in the Shop building and to convince the old rusted bolts to give up the fight, but eventually I managed to get them removed and the two planks taken off.  The

bottom line is that it appears that this idea will enable future visitors to get around the furnace!  Some clean up/paint up of the area will eventually be required.

 

Joe Baker had arrived and continued his priming and painting of the new window frames that Steve Newland had made and brought to the tower.

 

Mark Knebel had finished painting the  EJ&E transfer caboose this week, and Joe Kingsbury was tracing the 184 number on the side of the car with actual painting to happen later.

 

The 11:00 train left for English Lake and the Erie TTO signal (double semaphore) went from red up to yellow as the train cleared the block.  Nice.  And then up to green.  Uh Oh!  The

semaphore blade would almost make it to the upright position, only to fall back.  Again.  Again.  And again.  I opened up the box at the base, but could not see anything obvious to why

this was happening and since my actual knowledge of signals is nil, I decided to turn off the signal circuit.  So no signals today at HVRM!

 

Train crew was John LaOrange as engineer and Doug Kosloske as conductor.  Randall Downs was car host on open car.  Not sure other car hosts.   

 

A few weeks back, Steve Newland had put in the new tongue and groove flooring next to the upper floor door and now needed to repair the rotted area around where the replacement

brick chimney will eventually go.  Unfortunately, this area uses thicker tongue and groove boards, so Steve has to take a 1/4" off each board to match it up with the old planking that is

not going to be replaced.  Plus put in new a new groove to line it up with the old, still good, material.

 

Fred Boyer worked at setting up the scaffolding next to the IC yellow display caboose and I gave him a hand with that.  Meanwhile, Joe came in and started sanding the dried Bondo on

the sides of the car to make the areas smooth before they can be painted.

 

Tom Travis had a morning bus charter, but showed up in the afternoon to use up some old black paint on the trucks on Trailer Train flat car 475037.  Nice job until Tom ran out of paint.

 

Fred Boyer ground the excess steel off of my 18" grab iron and then took the old grab iron brackets off of the TTX flat car.  I think I will be able to use the 18" grab for the 17" one that

was on the car.  Time will tell!

 

Have a good week folks!

 

 

Les

 

Special meeting at 12:45pm was for voting on purchase of used John Deere 4010 Diesel with

3 point hitch and brush hog. Tractor was selling for 7500 dollars, fair market value for that

year it was built, 1960's I believe, has good tires both front (wide front end), rear tractor tires

are practically brand new, no wear or tear on them at all. Front end of tractor has a pin hitch

on it to pull whatever with a tongue on it out backwards, handy for keeping an eye on the

item being pulled. 1000 dollars was for the brush hog, total 8500 dollars. The JD should

solve the problem of mowing the trail along the ROW and the grounds around the museum.

Motion was made, discussed, 2nd and voted on with a unamimous vote yes. Tractor was

driven to the museum later on this afternoon. The body looks in good shape, has been taken

care of over the years. Paint is in good shape. Seat is a replacement black style seat, not great

but acceptable. Had a plug in block heater for cold weather starting. Brush hog is brand name

WOODS, yellow, good trailing tire. Engine hours seemed high, but for the year it was built is

most likely normal. The fenders have some sort of added steel block with tube on top for an

umbrella cover, that did not come with the tractor, but don't think we will need an umbrella

for the driver. With a 3 point hitch, more implements can be added later on if needed. A blade would be nice for pushing snow off the road and clearing the parking lot. Should be a welcome additon to HVRM's fleet of tractors.

 

Added by Tom Travis    

 

       

    

Work Abound at HVRM 8-17-2013

Greetings to all,
 
What a wonderful day it was today at HVRM, perfect temps in the 70's, low humidity,
bright sunny sky, not a drop of rain in sight. Many projects got done today. Train rides
total was 86 for the day. The civil war group shot off their cannon, with a large boom
often. Not so bad noise to the east, but if you where in the shop area, it litterally
gave you a jolt. I could feel the air blast first, then the boom. Lots of visitors were
over the see the civil war men in their uniforms and cannon.  Fun day for everyone.
 
I arrived at 9:00am to find Les over by his passenger car assessing the NKP flat
car that had been coupled up to the his passenger car. Painting still needs to be done
on the east end and needs to get a ladder in there. Plans are to move the consist
a couple of feet to the east later in the day.
 
On my way back to the shop, Joe Baker was busy putting electric outlets back in service after the pole holding up the electric line to the east side of Mulberry St
had broke off at the base during Mondays rain storm with high winds. It happened
at night and litterally broke off at the base of the pole. NIPSCO was called on Tuesday
to disconnect the power line, as the pole was leaning in the road. The power line
never broke at the main pole, so it was holding up the broken pole. Cory, John LaOrange, Joe Kingsbury dug the bottom part of the pole out of the ground and
Norwayne Lumber had a pole to replace it. New pole installed, NIPSCO came out
again to restore power. Joe Baker was replacing the electrical outlets on the new
pole, making them secure for use again. Good Job Joe. Thanks.
 
West shop found Cory, John, Dave, Mark working on leveling the south side of the
dirt floor in the shop in preparation for concrete pour. Sand was brought in from
outside, shoveled on to the floor area, with John an Dave using a 2x6 leveling the
dirt an sand. The entire lenght was leveled, then the back hoe run up an down
packing sand down and more sand brought in, leveled again and then steel
fencing put down to prevent concrete cracking. Pouring concrete date has not been
decided.
 
Mark worked on the EJ&E transfer caboose earlier in the week repainting the outside,
completing orange on the south side, both ends, and black paint on the grating on
the platform and steps. Saturday Mark painted the gray seats on the west platform
and will continue on as time permits.
 
Doug was inside the IC yellow caboose working on wood work for the windows in
the cupola area and priming the new wood white. It is getting closer to having
windows installed soon. The outside is going to be painted IC orange with appropriate Illinois Central lettering from the IC historical society.
 
Bob Barcus worked the gift shop. The local American Legion folks were on the properity to provide lunch for museum members and the public.
 
I was down on friday working on grinding the upper level of the base of the crane.
Priming was done also. Saturday was painting the steel primed areas black again.
Filling the letters in will be done later with a small brush.
 
Les spent the day looking for 17 inch hand grabs for the PRR flat car, no luck,
cept for one 18 inch grab. What I suggested was cutting the longer grabs in half,
installing both ends and cutting the correct lenght  out of the steel, welding the
two pieces together. That is the only solution to this problem. The original pictures
of the flat car had hand grabs, but sometime during its career, they were replaced
with large pieces of steel to better climb up the step to the car. Les has also
acquired a blue print of lettering for TTX, has the dimensions where the letters
and numbers are to be positioned and the height of the numbers an letters position
on the car. He is working on getting copies made for the blueprint and then
finding someone who can make stencils of the lettering.
 
Tuesday myself an the family rode the South Shore to Chicago. Took the 10:55am
train which is the bilevel cars, which I enjoy very much. A good crowd arrived at
Chicago Randolph station. It is interesting to look out the upper level windows,
getting a view on other things from a higher position. Lunch at Macy's Walnut
Room, with Linday Yu, WLS channel 7 newscaster the next table over from us.
Couple of weeks ago on a trip to Chicago, Rosemont near O'Hare, Gibson
Steak restuarant we sas Dennis Rodman, former basketball player for the
Chicago Bulls. Around  4:45pm, we were at the Chicago river, decided to take
a boat tour of the Chicago river of all the buildings along the river. Railroad
bridges of interest is the old bridge that use to bring newsprint into the Chicago
Sun Times building and Chicago Tribune printing buildings. The rail line once
ran to Navy Pier years ago to service ships at the pier with cargo. Navy pier early
time was not a tourist attraction, it was a working ship pier with Navy ships
being tied up there. The Chicago boat tour is a MUST DO if visiting Chicago.
Return to Michigan City was at 7:10pm. I got to see a couple of the new Metra
electric passenger cars, nice looking with bigger window than the old units.
Interesting item on the cars is the number of the train using LED lights, so
easily changed, Metra used train numbers, where South Shore uses number of
electric car for dispatching. SS trains are assigned a scheduled posted number
for trips. New Metra cars have a bathroom on each car, where the old cars did
not, so you made sure that you didn't drink anything before riding. No place to potty.
 
 
Interesting story friday in Michigan City, a man walking on Amtrak high speed rail
line listening to music, did not hear the approaching passenger plane behind him
going over 100 mph. The train hit him square on, he glanced off the nose into the
ditch area. A local La Porte deputy  sheriff, was in the area when someone notified
him of the accident, he was on the scene in minutes, calling in other personell,
finding the man, in the ditch alert and responding with only a broken arm. He was
transported to Michigan city, St Anthony's hospital and is recovering okay. Luck
was on his side friday. Moral of story, don't walk on  active railroad tracks.
 
I left at 4:00pm to attend a wonderful jazz festival in La Porte at Fox park, excellent
music with a large crowd. Music lasted  up to 9:45pm an a large crowd still was
there at the time. Beautiful evening, close to full moon. From my vantage point
I could see the NS rail line across Clear lake, many trains passed in a short
period of time, then at 8:00pm Amtraks Capitol Limited passed thru town going
east. Daylight is growing short every day, soon it will be fall, harvest time an
winter, argh.... School starts Tuesday for me, driving school bus for La Porte.
Many schools in the area started last week including Know, North Judson,
South Central, South Bend area schools, so the busses are back on the road,
please be careful driving early in the morning an afternoon looking out for the kids.
 
Have a safe week.
 
Tom