CERA at 75 - The IRM Inspection Trip

The 75th Anniversary of the Central Electric Railfans' Association (CERA) was celebrated over September 20, 21, and 22; 2013. Everyone who reads this blog has benefited from CERA. They published many books and booklets on traction topics plus has operated many fan trips during the 75 years CERA has been in operation.

This is not a review of the books, fan trips, or the individuals involved in the 75 years. To celebrate its 75 years 4 separate events were held. I attended 3 of the 4 events.

On Friday September 20 an Inspection Trip of the Kenoska Streetcar Society http://www.kenoshastreetcarsociety.org/ was organized. I was unable to attend as I was out of town on this day in the opposite direct of Kenoska from Chicago.

On Saturday, September 21, an Inspection Trip of the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) http://www.irm.org/ was organized. (Also see the blog written by Randy Hicks http://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2013/09/cera-75th-anniversary-visit.html ) The day was beautiful!

For the CERA members IRM had train sets of CA&E, CRT, CNS&M, and CSS&SB cars in the IRM collection to ride. The cars of each Insull company were in trains. Also for the CERA members IRR 65 and one of the CSL cars were running. It was IRR 65 which was the start of IRM.

CWT 144 was originally out for viewing but was placed back in the barn. It was not available for rides since the trolley loop was blocked by the Nebraska Zepher most of the day.

Here are some of the many photos taken by me. (After reviewing all of my photos taken I realized the photos were taken from the eyes of a model builder. Not all of the available equipment was photographed. Plus the photos taken were mainly of details of the cars.)

The IRM volunteer with CRT 1024 above is Tim Peters. He is rebuilding the car back to its condition circa 1910. He gave me a personal guided tour of the car showing and explaining what had been done along with what still needs to be done to finish the car. It's work like this done by volunteers which make IRM the great Museum it is!

Finally, when the word "volunteer" and "railfan" are defined; this photo explains it all!

This is Dan Buck who along with his brother Chris are volunteers at IRM and members of CERA. Dan and Chris operate the steel and wood CA&E cars at the Museum. They regularly attend the monthly CERA meetings and events.


Next is the dinner!

Cheers,
Ed