Projects
We have two big restoration projects underway at the museum!
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South Shore Car 6
Car 6 came to the museum in 2010 via the National Park Service at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (now Indiana Dunes National Park). When the South Shore Line’s original 1920s-era cars were replaced by new equipment in 1982 and 1983, a Congressman serving northern Indiana worked to pass a bill to transfer the retired cars to the Park Service. The goal was to establish a museum at Indiana Dunes. Four of the stops on the South Shore Line are at stations in or near the dunes. When the planned museum failed to gain funding, the retired cars were transferred to several other museums. The East Troy Railroad received five of the cars, including Car 33, which was restored to service in 2016.
Car 6 needs to have its wheels and trucks refurbished, needs two traction motors rebuilt, needs its seats reupholstered, needs new flooring, some rewiring, and much cosmetic work to restore its appearance. The pantographs above the car must be removed and replaced by trolley poles, so the car can run on the East Troy Railway. A new canvas roof will also be installed. A GoFundMe page has been set up for people who would like to support the restoration efforts. Please click on the link below to make a donation to help speed these projects along. March 1 Update: As of March 1 2020, the seats have been removed from Car 6, the old canvas roof and the humps for the Pantographs have been removed, the lighting wiring has been replaced, and work is beginning inside the car to strip the floor and walls to prepare for new finishes and new flooring. One historical truth that may be a surprise: when this car was new in 1926 it did not have the humps. These were added later as a "cosmetic improvement." March 25, 2020 Update: At our recent Board meeting we learned that one of our board members made a donation to help complete the refurbishment of the wheels and trucks on Car 6! |
North Shore 761
The East Troy Museum acquired Car 761 from a Michigan museum in 2001 and started initial work to restore the car soon afterward. Volunteers replaced the roof, had new doors made, and purchased fabric to reupholster the seats. Efforts ground to a halt when volunteers discovered structural deterioration on the north end of the car. When a qualified welder joined the volunteer team in East Troy, the Board agreed that it was time to restart the restoration work.
In addition to the structural work, Car 761 needs body work, needs to be repainted inside and out, needs new flooring, needs the seats reupholstered, needs the electrical system cleaned, repaired and tested, needs the brake lines reinstalled to both control stands, needs new doors and new glass installed on the south end of the car, and needs the stairways reinstalled on both ends. A GoFundMe page has been set up for people who would like to support the restoration efforts. Please click on the link below to make a donation to help speed these projects along. March 1 Update: As of March 1, 2020 the structural repairs to the east end of Car 761 are largely complete. The brake lines have been reinstalled and tested, the air compressor is in excellent condition, the trolley poles have been reinstalled on top of the car with new wiring, three of the stairways into the car have been reinstalled, the interior has been stripped and repaired, the ceiling is repainted, the sub-flooring has been replaced where necessary and leveled, the new doors are ready for mounting in the car, and work has begun on the electrical system cleaning and repairs. March 25, 2020 Update: On March 24th we learned that we will receive a $20,500 Grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust to help finish the restoration of Car 761. In addition, we received a donation from one of our board members to repaint the car in the Silverliner paint scheme! |