Caboose Work

Work has been progressing quite nicely all around the museum.  Camilo Santiago is back and is working on the Reading Caboose in front of the shop.  It will be great once the interior of that caboose is completed.  Just inside the shop, John Pelletier is leading the shop in getting the Boston Elevated Railway Type 5, 5645 put back together.  We now have the ability to vacuum impregnate our own field coils in the shop.  The floor in the type 5 is also coming along quite well.

Coming up this Saturday, we will be having a Track Work Session commencing at 0800 to work in the vicinity just east of Woods Turnout.

Wine & Beer Tasting

The Wine & Beer Tasting was a huge success.  Thank you for all who volunteered for it and those who attended.  Thank you to the New England Ukulele Group and Jeannie Murphy for volunteering their time for entertainment.  Thank you to Geisslers, Stir the Pot, and Jimmy Chen's for running the food concessions.  Also, thank you to our friends at New England Bank for volunteering their time after work in running the admissions and raffle tables AND handing out bottle openers that they had made up.  Thank you to Carol Zenczak for all of her hard work in setting up the tasting and thank you to all those who donated to the Vandalism Fund, businesses and individuals alike.  Finally, a BIG thank you to Leslie Hickey and Joe's Fine Wines and Spirits and all of the distributors and breweries that donated their time and product to help make this event a huge success!

Annual Meeting

Saturday was the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Electric Railway Association.  During the Annual Meeting, Mike Caputo's term on the Board of Directors has expired and he has chose not to seek re-election.  Neil Newman was elected and will fill Mike's seat on the Board.  In addition, Ted Coppola, Justin Chasse, and John Arel were all re-elected to the Board of Directors.  Also the following officers were elected: President - Galen Semprebon, Vice President & Corporate Secretary - Tim Lesniak, Treasurer - Steve Taylor, Chairman - Fred Stroiney, Vice-Chairman - Jim Miller.

Wine & Beer Tasting

The Wine & Beer Tasting is only 10 days away!  Be sure to order your tickets NOW!  For more information, visit http://ct-trolley.org/events/tasting.php!

Machinery Set Up

In the Lusa Car Shop, Galen Semprebon, Brian Semprebon, and John Pelletier have been able to get the dust collector set up and running.  Now, the wood shop is taking shape.  Machines are being placed in strategic locations and they are preparing to order the duct work for the machines.

Springfield Terminal car 16 is nearly ready to be returned to service, with newly painted steps & bumpers, a repaired roof & floor, and wiring for headlights!

After operations ceased, Ben Wallace, Al Goff, Xian Clere, John Gasper, Aaron Mangan, and I  went out on the line car to repair some issues with the signal system.  We were able to replace a cross arm bracket that had failed near Hancock Siding.  Other work was supposed to continue on Sunday.

Eagle Scout Project

Even with the rain yesterday, the Eagle Scouts were able to accomplish some work on Illinois Terminal car 451.  On Saturday, the windows were removed and yesterday the void behind where the windows once were was masked.  This will allow the exterior to be sprayed without causing any over-spray on the interior of the car.

Part of a new exhibit was put together and set up in the main display hall.  We are currently building an exhibit discussing local trolley history.  In it will have information and pictures relating directly to the Hartford & Springfield Street Railway and Piney Ridge Park.  The first component of this is the digitally scanned copies of a brochure that was distributed by the H&S explaining how to take a vacation by trolley between New York City, NY and Portland, ME including New Haven & Hartford, CT and Springfield & Worcester & Boston, MA.  Inside the brochure, it also gives a bit of information about Piney Ridge Park and Mount Tom.  As the year progresses, be on the lookout for additions to this exhibit and more exhibits opening.

Shop Work

Up in the car shop, Galen Semprebon and Brian Semprebon were hard at work getting the dust collector put together. It is now up and running. At this time, the wood working machines can be rearranged and set up for use. Pat McCann and John Pelletier spent the day working on Springfield Terminal Railway car 16 preparing her to be released into service. John was able to sand and revarnish the window trim on the car.

In Kelly Yard, Kevin Mitchell and those helping him with his Eagle Scout Project were working diligently on Illinois Terminal car 451. The windows have been removed in order to prepare the car for painting.

Over by the Dining Car, Marilyn Rodriguez helped me clean up the entrance by removing the old lattice fencing and put up newer picket fencing. This really spruced up the area.