East Troy Electric

[MidlandMike]

Dave, thanks for adding your friend's coverage to the NRHS convention.

[daveklepper]

Walter Zulig's Convention Report:

 

NRHS 2021 Convention in Milwaukee

 

An Official Trip Report

 

©2021—Walter E. Zullig Jr.

 

 

 

Good evening and welcome aboard Amtrak #49 enroute from Croton-Harmon to Chicago. Once there I’ll board a Hiawatha Service train to Milwaukee to participate in the NRHS Convention. This is the first one we’ve had since 2019 in Salt Lake City and the last in-person meeting since November 2019 in Dallas. I’m on the Convention Committee so will be busy the entire time.

 

 

Departure from CRT was on time at 4:26 pm. The train came in at 4:23 and the door to my sleeper stopped right where I had been standing. There I was greeted by a cheerful female conductor and male car attendant. The attendant got me settled in the room and said there was no need to have my ticket scanned as “she already knows you’re on board.” The ride up Metro-North was uneventful except for a 5-minute delay outside Poughkeepsie waiting for an open station track. We moved after another Amtrak train pulled past us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boston section wasn’t in the Albany station when we arrived on time at 6:20 pm. It soon pulled in behind but one P42 locomotive. And just outside the station was a switcher loco with a Northern Pacific dome lounge car that was added behind the baggage car. Our NY section had a P32 pulling 2 Amfleet II coaches, a diner [Frankfort], 2 Viewliner sleepers and a baggage car. The BOS section had one sleeper, a café car, 2 business class cars and one Amfleet II coach. I assume the second business class car was being used as a coach. As expected, there was a delay while a second P42 was added to the front of the BOS section after which that section eventually backed on to our train. Some difficulty was encountered making the connections so we left town 30 minutes late at 7:35.

 

I should reach Milwaukee by 12:35 tomorrow. After registering and attending to some Convention business I plan to ride/photograph the new Milwaukee streetcar line, known as The HOP! After that there are evening seminars, followed by the East Troy Museum on Wednesday, the Illinois RR Museum on Thursday, all day meetings on Friday and a METRA trip on Saturday.

 

I had entered the diner about 5:30 so as to be finished before the train reached Albany. The single attendant had paper menus at each table. The five choices were Red Wine Braised Beef, Enchiladas, Chicken Marsala, Creole Shrimp and Pasta & Meatballs.   The Creole Shrimp appeared to be the best choice so I ordered it along with a bottle of Stella. I had this entrée some time ago and found the current version to be much better in that it was less spicy. I stepped outside at ALB to note the consist and photograph both trains.

 

 

 

After Albany we crossed the Hudson River and later the Mohawk River after Schenectady. The Utica stop came at 9:19 (8:49) after which I asked the attendant to make up the bed. Unfortunately the car rode roughly with occasional violent lateral sway so I didn’t sleep too well. I recall numerous stops although didn’t check the times at them. The train ran very fast between stations which didn’t help my sleep any, especially when traversing crossovers. I woke up for good just outside Toledo where we arrived at 7:32 (5:55-6:15). Once up and around I entered the diner for breakfast where the “hot item” choices were a Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwich (egg McMuffin) or Breakfast Omelet, a new item. I chose the omelet with a blueberry muffin, OJ and coffee, all of which were promptly delivered by the cheerful attendant. The omelet was OK but of course not quite like the scrambled eggs & sausages which I’ve enjoyed in diners on many past occasions.

 

The train continued running fast and reached South Bend at 9:10 (8:49) after which the conductor announced that we may reach Chicago 15 minutes early. She was optimistic; a lot of things can happen between South Bend and Chicago and often do. This day we caught up with freight trains some 30 miles west of the Windy City and the dispatchers zig-zagged us around them where possible. The final result was a CHI arrival of 10:32 versus our scheduled time of 8:50.

 

My Hiawatha Service train to Milwaukee was due out at 11:05 so I just walked around the station to pick up some timetables and check for new things since my last visit. Last time I had noted that the Amtrak ticket office had been moved to an area next to the entrance to the Metropolitan (first class) lounge. It has again been relocated, this time to the baggage checking and claim area near the carousels. While there seemed to be 5 agent positions, only 2 agents were on duty. That’s a sign of the times as today the majority of tickets are purchased by email or transmitted that way when reserved by phone. The trains operating on the former Milwaukee Road depart from the north concourse and Amtrak has blocked the entrance to the several tracks its trains use so riders must enter through the Amtrak waiting area.

 

 

 

The gate for Train #333 opened at 10:45 and I noted the train had a Siemens Midwest Charger locomotive at each end with an Amfleet Café-business class car in the lead followed by 3 Horizon fleet (Bombardier) coaches of which 2 were open and well filled. Departure came at 11:05 with on time stops at Glenview, Sturtevant (12:08), MKE Airport (12:23) and Milwaukee downtown arrival at 12:35. We ran at good speed which is usual on this line. While passing Roundout I noted the station is gone as is the tower and the former North Shore Line Mundelein Branch overhead bridge now is a trail with a new bridge. After looking around the MKE station I walked to the Hilton Doubletree which was about 3 blocks away.

 

After checking in I walked back to the station which is called the Intermodal Center as Greyhound uses one part of the building. The Post Office is adjacent and the HOP streetcar terminus is just across from the PO. A streetcar (#1) was just arriving so I soon hopped on board.

 

The HOP streetcar line runs 2.1 miles from the Intermodal Center to Burns Commons, a park near the lakefront. A branch further south appears near completion but I was told its opening has been delayed by some real estate issues at the far end. The HOP opened on November 2, 2018, and utilizes 5 Brookville Liberty streetcars. About a third of the route has no overhead wires so the pans are lowered through that area and the cars run on batteries which get charged once back under the wire. I first rode to the end at Burns Commons and then returned to various locations for photos. The line crosses the Milwaukee River and traverses numerous entertainment, commercial and residential areas. One nice feature is that the fare is FREE.

 

That evening I had dinner with some friends at the hotel and attended two seminars that featured some excellent photos.

 

Wed., Aug. 25 was the day for our trip to the East Troy, WI, railroad museum. We had 3 buses, the last of which departed at 8:30 and reached East Troy at 9:15. NRHS had sold two types of tickets for this event—one included lunch on a 2 car train of former South Shore Line cars now furnished with tables. The second was for visits to the museum and unlimited trolley riding. I was one of the “hosts” and we suggested to the lunch train people that they ride trolleys to the end of the line and return first as their lunch train would leave the depot sharply at 11:15. The non-lunch train riders could obtain lunch at an establishment along the line known as The Elegant Farmer Deli. This was a large place, well organized with a good variety of food.

 

The lunch trains used former South Shore picture window air conditioned cars now numbered 24 and 25, built by Pullman in 1927 and remodeled by South Shore in the 1940’s. The other cars operating for us were #761, a North Shore Line “Silverliner” built by Standard Steel Car Co. in 1930 and just recently restored by the museum and #846, a Milwaukee Electric Ry & Light Co streetcar built by St. Louis Car Co. in 1920. I enjoyed numerous rides over their 7 mile line in this equipment. To add to the enjoyment an old fashioned ice cream parlor is located across the tracks from the East Troy station. In addition to delicious ice cream, the store had displays of historic “general store” type items.

 

Milwaukee Electric streetcar #846 and North Shore “Silverliner” @ E. Troy.

 

The East Troy Museum’s lunch train—former South Shore Line modernized cars.

 

We returned to the hotel about 5 pm in ample time to change for the evening banquet. The speaker was Kevin P. Keefe of Kalmbach Publications. His program was titled, “Milwaukee at High Tide,” but didn’t refer to flooding. Rather it referenced all the railroad operations and facilities at the high point of rail operations during the mid-1940’s. He did some “then and now” maps showing former facilities and what occupies those locations today. The former North Shore Line station, which I had visited numerous times, was quite close to our hotel but there is no sign of it today.

 

The following day, August 26, we visited the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. This is another location I had never visited as it is a long way from anything. Upon arrival I noted it is a huge facility, having 15 long buildings full of rail equipment as well as a 4 mile electrified railroad line plus a 1 mile loop trolley line serving various parts of the complex. I started by riding a former Chicago Transit Authority [CTA] streetcar on the loop, detraining at the far end to view/photograph some of their outdoor railroad equipment. A former DL&W Boonton Line coach was among the well-restored equipment and I was told it is used on occasion. While photographing a Rock Island commuter coach one of the volunteers came over and asked if I’d like to see the interior of a closed building. Why not? Inside several people were painting some of the restored cars. Back outside, another volunteer suggested where more interesting equipment is located. I entered most of the buildings and did some inside photography including a photo of their Electroliner. It looks good and they are planning to run it on the 4 mile line soon. Two former Chicago, Aurora & Elgin cars were running on the 4 mile line and the operator got them up to good speed, I’d say at least 50 mph. The Illinois Railway Museum has a great deal to offer. It is far away from Chicago and Milwaukee but that’s why they have been able to obtain so much land upon which to build. It’s certainly worth a visit.

 

Chicago Transit Authority streetcar 3442 in service at IL Ry Museu

 

CA&E train loading at Union, IL, for a fast ride.

 

We returned to the hotel about 5 pm after a drive through corn fields along country roads. That evening I joined two friends for dinner at the Old German Beer Hall, a few blocks from the hotel. It wasn’t too noisy, the food was great and the beer—well it took two hands to hold up a full stein that was about a foot high!

 

Friday, August 27 was “meeting day” for those so inclined. We started with the Advisory Council meeting, followed by the Board of Directors meeting after lunch and then by the Annual Membership Meeting. A great deal was accomplished including discussion of next year’s convention in Southern California and our hope for a South Florida convention in 2023. That evening I joined some friends for dinner at the MKE Beer Hall which also had good stuff. We traveled to the location via the HOP streetcar to the “Historic Third Ward” stop where the area was really “hopping.”

 

Our METRA train ride was on Saturday, August 28. We started with a long bus ride to the Fox Lake, IL, terminus of the Milwaukee Northwest Line, arriving in time to photograph a regular train leaving at 8:45 am. Shortly after it departed our train backed out of the yard, ran past the depot and then came forward on the track along the platform. The consist was METRA locos #405 and 402 pulling (actually “pushing” at this point) 6 bi-level coaches. The 405 is in the former Milwaukee Road color scheme and the 402 is the “State of Illinois” with logos from the various counties served by METRA. I rode in the head car as it was the only one having clear windows; the other cars had windows with a dark green tint. We had a good photo runby at the Deerfield station; it was “good” but would have been better with the sun on our side. Once back on board the train continued to a junction with the former Milwaukee Road’s West Line which we used to the Franklin Park area. There we headed north on the former Wisconsin Central (now CN) line that hosts Metra’s North Central Line service. After passing the north terminal of Antioch we ran into the yard where the train was spotted for photos on a curve with the sun in the right position. From there it was back to Fox Lake with the surprise of a “shortcut” running through the connection between the Antioch and Fox Lake lines at the Prairie Crossing diamond. Return to Fox Lake was slightly delayed when we took a siding south of there to meet a southbound train. Although this seemed to be a controlled siding the conductor had to line the switch by hand and they couldn’t display a clear signal for the southbound. After it was “talked by” the stop signal both our conductor and the Operations Director had a difficult time with that switch but finally got us back out and relined for the main track. Return to Fox Lake was shortly after 1 pm and we were back at the hotel by 3, thereby officially ending a most enjoyable convention.

 

Our METRA excursion train pulling down to make a reverse move to the station platform at Fox Lake.

 

 

 

After a brief rain shower I set out for more photography of the HOP and was able to secure the photos I wanted at pre-selected locations. That evening I enjoyed dinner with two friends at the hotel’s dining room.

 

 

 

Milwaukee HOP streetcar on the Milwaukee River Bridge.

 

 

 

My return to New York started the following morning, Sunday, August 29 on Amtrak Hiawatha Service Train #334 departing Milwaukee at 11 am. The consist was the same as on the northbound trip, namely, engine at each end, one Amcafe/business class car and 3 Horizon Fleet coaches. The train ran at good speed but did encounter one delay that put us into Union Station a minute late at 12:30. My friend, Steve Abrams (to me “Mr. CTA”) soon arrived and we set off for some riding and photography on CTA.

 

 

 

After a short walk to the famous Loop we boarded a Brown Line (Ravenswood) train. At Belmont station   I noted construction on a flyover to connect the outbound local L track with the Ravenswood Line, thereby eliminating the at-grade junction. We then continued to the end of the line at Kimball and returned to the Rockwell Station for some photos. Next back to Belmont where, after some photos, we changed to the Red Line to its North end at Howard St. There I did some photography from an overhead bridge after which we rode a 2-car Skokie Swift train to Skokie. Returning we stopped at the new (to me) Wilson Ave. station for some photos and then continued to the Loop to transfer to the Pink Line (former Douglas Elevated) for a nice ride and a few photos. Then back to Clark & Lake station on the Loop where we took the elevator downstairs to the Blue Line. As was planned, we rode that subway to Halstead St., the first outdoor stop, to have dinner at nearby Greektown. To our surprise a Greek Festival was in progress with mobs in the streets, outdoor stands, etc., all under the watchful eyes of the Chicago PD. We eventually found a restaurant with an open table and had an excellent dinner; unfortunately we had to rush a little as I didn’t want to take any chances with my 9:30 departure of the Lake Shore Ltd.

Southbound CTA Red Line train at Belmont with a view of construction of the flying junction connection for outbound Ravenswood Line trains.

 

 

 

Once finished we walked the few blocks to Union Station where I said “goodbye” to Steve and entered the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge for about 15 minutes until the train was announced way over on Track 26. My car was the third from the rear so I soon boarded and settled in for the trip. Departure was on time at 9:30 and I turned in for the night about 11:00. I do recall the South Bend stop at 12:01 (11:59) and nothing more until about 8:20 when we were outside of Buffalo. Arrival there was at 8:42 (8:46) and departure came at 8:57 (8:54). After a shower I walked into the diner for breakfast and once again had OJ, coffee, the omelet and a large muffin as the train ran at speed between Buffalo and Rochester. As detailed below, our train’s consist was two P-42 locomotives pulling 10 cars of which 4 were destined for Boston and 6 for New York.

 

 

Train #48 at Albany station. These engines and the first four cars will continue to Boston.

 

The train ran on time through Upstate NY. I had lunch in the diner around Utica. This time I selected the Pasta & Meatballs with a side salad which in the past had been a “Children’ Menu” item but was added to the regular menu after some patrons commented that it was the best item they had. Based on my experiences, that may well be the truth. Although we were 14 minutes late out of Schenectady we reached Albany at 2:35 pm, only 4 minutes down. Here the Boston section was separated and departed for Beantown at 3:05. Then a P32 loco backed on to the NY section which could not depart until the scheduled time of 4:10 pm. So the passengers had one hour, 35 minutes to wander around and explore the station. I noticed that quite a few did go upstairs and many purchased food/snack items for the remaining trip to NY City as the only food service car for coach passengers was now heading to Boston. But why such a long delay? It would seem that the Boston section should be able to leave by 3 pm and that the NY section should follow shortly thereafter, say about 3:15, thereby saving about an hour for a large number of people.

 

 A passenger leg stretching during the ALB stop. Looks like he’s enjoying the trip.

In any event, we departed ALB on time at 4:10 after which I enjoyed the scenic ride along the Hudson. We had a little delay around Hudson and reached Croton-Harmon 8 minutes late at 6:01. Luckily there was a waiting taxi and I was home shortly thereafter. The trip and convention had been good but it was nice to be back home.

 

 

 

 

 

CONSIST—Amtrak Train #49 Croton-Harmon to Chicago Aug. 23-24 2001:

 

Engines: 712 (P32)                                                                                       NYP-ALB

 

               92 & 115 (P42)                                                                               ALB-CHI [#115 from BOS]

 

Cars:      62013 –Viewliner sleeper                                                           BOS-CHI

 

               81523—Amfleet II Business Class                                             BOS-CHI

 

               43367—Amfleet II Café Car                                                       BOS-CHI

 

               25116—Amfleet II Coach                                                           BOS-CHI

 

               85141—Amfleet II Business Class [used as coach]BOS-CHI

 

               25051—Amfleet II Coach                                                           NYP-CHI

 

               25124—Amfleet II Coach                                                           NYP-CHI

 

               68011—Viewliner Dining Car                                                     NYP-CHI

 

               62025—Viewliner Sleeper [my car]                                          NYP-CHI

 

               62026—Viewliner Sleeper                                                          NYP-CHI              

 

               61050—Baggage Car                                                                   NYP-CHI                                                           

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________-

 

CONSIST AMTRAK #48-448 CHI-CRT Aug. 29-30, 2021:

 

Engines: 115 & 114 (P42)                                                                           CHI-BOS

 

                 714 (P32)                                                                                      ALB-NYP

 

Cars:      62044 –Viewliner Sleeper                                                           CHI-BOS

 

               48192—Amfleet II Café Car                                                       CHI-BOS

 

               25082 –Amfleet II Coach                                                            CHI-BOS

 

               25026 –Amfleet II Coach                                                            CHI-BOS

 

               25025 –Amfleet II Coach                                                            CHI-NYP

 

               25069 –Amfleet II Coach                                                            CHI-NYP

 

               68021 –Viewliner dining car                                                       CHI-NYP

 

               62020 –Viewliner Sleeper  [my car]                                          CHI-NYP

 

               62017 –Viewliner Sleeper                                                           CHI-NYP

 

               61052 – Baggage Car                                                                  CHI-NYP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MidlandMike]

Here is a little gem kept in the East Troy carbarn.  It's actually a 1975 reproduction.  Brass parts were cast from parts off an open streetcar.  It also uses the truck and controller from a Belgum streetcar.

To keep the line functioning they use a work car built by TMER&L in 1907.

[Flintlock76]

MidlandMike

There was a sign by the car, away from the camera, that advertized the hearst for rent.  I presume it was for parties. 

Seems like just the thing for Halloween parties or Goth weddings!

[MidlandMike]

54light15

That Studebaker is a hearse. A very, very rare car. So, is the East Troy an operating museum now?  

 

There was a sign by the car, away from the camera, that advertized the hearst for rent.  I presume it was for parties.  It seems they would need a special license to operate as a hearst.

I visited East Troy about 30 years ago and they were operating trolley rides then.  I presume they have been operating all along since then.

[54light15]

Many car companies, not just Cadillac made hearses or other "professional cars" as they are called. Look closely at the side-opening door on the rear and the large middle door. Its a hearse all right. I once saw a 38 LaSalle hearse. I don't recall if it ran great or not. By the way, Henry Ford had his last ride in a Packard hearse in 1947. 

[Flintlock76]

54light15

That Studebaker is a hearse. A very, very rare car.

The Stud's a hearse?  I thought there was something a little odd about it, I thought it might  be a limo, but I've never heard of a Studebaker limo.

"Do you ever think when a hearse goes by, that you might be the next to die?"  

Sorry, couldn't resist!  

I've never heard of Studebaker hearses either, it must be a rare car!

[54light15]

That Studebaker is a hearse. A very, very rare car. So, is the East Troy an operating museum now?  

[MidlandMike]

Pullman built a couple of diners for the CSS&SB in 1927.  Durbin in his book Some Classic Trains said they were the heavest nonmotor interurban cars, and rode on 6-wheel trucks.  The had a full kitchen and served 24 in four rows of 4-2 seating.  When I saw that the NRHS trip included an option for dinner on a South Shore diner, I jumped at the chance.  Alas, it turns out that the diners on East Troy were former South Shore coaches that had been extensivly rebuilt with dining tables.  No kitchen, just a small cubby to handle the catered meals.  The food was good.

Above, here are former South Shore coaches turned diners #24 and 25 coming from the East Troy car barn toward the station.  Chicago el on adjacent track.

Below is the interior looking toward the bar at the far end.  The car seated about 50, also in 4-2 seating.  I wonder what happened to the original diners?

[MidlandMike]

SD70Dude

Nice shots!

Does East Troy still have any freight traffic?

 

They said no, but it seems like it wasn't that many years ago that they last handled freight.

[SD70Dude]

Nice shots!

Does East Troy still have any freight traffic?

[MidlandMike]

Thanks for letting me know that the first photos weren't working.

[Flintlock76]

Nice shots!  thanks for posting them!

[MidlandMike]

This a re-posting of my first post, this time using Imgur.

First photo is a North Shore "Silverliner" (Standard Steel Car Co) complete with faux-fluting paint job.  The car behind is TMER&L (St. Louis Car Co).  Photo taken at the carbarns near the Elegant Farmer station platform, which is toward the Mukwonago end of the line:

 

Second photo is in a Chicago el (Cincinnati Car Co).  Thru the front door you can see the Silverliner we are following

Third photo is a 1930s Studebaker in front of the soda fountain across the tracks from the East Troy RR Museum station,which was originally a trolley power substation.

 

[Flintlock76]

daveklepper

Must have a Google Account to log in!

 

Yeah, a Google account for photographs!  Nope, I'm drawing the line there, I've already done one for YouTube, that's enough.

[daveklepper]

Must have a Google Account to log in!

[Flintlock76]

Something's wrong Mike, I've tried all three links and gotten "404" errors on all of them.

[MidlandMike]

EDIT:  Please see my re-post of 9/14, as the links in this post may not work without Google Photo.

Photos taken on a NRHS charter on 8/25.  Some poster were interested in convention coverage.  Photo files apparently too large for Forum photos so I had to link them.

First photo is a North Shore "Silverliner" (Standard Steel Car Co) complete with faux-fluting paint job.  The car behind is TMER&L (St. Louis Car Co).  Photo taken at the carbarns near the Elegant Farmer station platform, which is toward the Mukwonago end of the line:

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPvRIPZuKB51zBa8EV40u3Q__ybzAm5AsL8itmJ

Second photo is in a Chicago el (Cincinnati Car Co).  Thru the front door you can see the Silverliner we are following

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPN4XBQD-Qp-rDfGEw913ErRfYhnwt-DzyY4-t0

Third photo is a 1930s Studebaker in front of the soda fountain across the tracks from the East Troy RR Museum station,which was originally a trolley power substation.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOS_Tskf7tdPEtzOPPTV9XhZed3tq8OkAb0nI2A