IRM's annual trolley pageant operated on July 4th, even though the weather was rainy. Although I was not able to get out to Union for the festivities, Pete Pedersen has posted lots of photos on the Members Photos section of the IRM web site at:
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album170
Although there were three or four streetcars circling the trolley line, most of the action this year featured interurbans and rapid transit trains operating on IRM's top-notch mainline trackage . There were six interurban passenger trains from five different properties operating, as well as a motor-trailer MU set from the Illinois Central Electric line in Chicago (now called METRA Electric). The IC cars and ther South Shore interurban car operated with their pantographs, but you can see from the photos that they dropped the pans and coasted over at least one of the mainline trolley frogs.
There were five trains of rapid transit equipment including multiple-car trains of Chicago wood cars, steel 4000's, and "spam cans" ( rapid transit PCC's). The SEPTA Broad Street subway car ran by itself ( Its the only one IRM has) fitted with trolley poles. It looks huge compared the Chicago cars! The two NYCTA Red Birds were in the parade too, but must have suffered some last minute mechanical failure, because they were being towed by a diesel.
For the first time, trolley freights were featured this year. Four electric locomotives operated, three of them with different seven or eight car freight trains in tow. In addition there was a two car train of North Shore Merchandise Express Cars.
Over on the trolley bus line, several coaches were running, including a Seattle Twin that just joined the collection a week earlier.
Too bad about the weather, but I still wish I were there.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album170
Although there were three or four streetcars circling the trolley line, most of the action this year featured interurbans and rapid transit trains operating on IRM's top-notch mainline trackage . There were six interurban passenger trains from five different properties operating, as well as a motor-trailer MU set from the Illinois Central Electric line in Chicago (now called METRA Electric). The IC cars and ther South Shore interurban car operated with their pantographs, but you can see from the photos that they dropped the pans and coasted over at least one of the mainline trolley frogs.
There were five trains of rapid transit equipment including multiple-car trains of Chicago wood cars, steel 4000's, and "spam cans" ( rapid transit PCC's). The SEPTA Broad Street subway car ran by itself ( Its the only one IRM has) fitted with trolley poles. It looks huge compared the Chicago cars! The two NYCTA Red Birds were in the parade too, but must have suffered some last minute mechanical failure, because they were being towed by a diesel.
For the first time, trolley freights were featured this year. Four electric locomotives operated, three of them with different seven or eight car freight trains in tow. In addition there was a two car train of North Shore Merchandise Express Cars.
Over on the trolley bus line, several coaches were running, including a Seattle Twin that just joined the collection a week earlier.
Too bad about the weather, but I still wish I were there.
Peter Schmidt
