Railroad Forums
Moderator: Nicolai3985
MR77100 wrote:I have info on the cars at IRM. While doing volunteer work there last weekend, they had cars 308 and 309 sandwiching 321. ...I heard that they all came from different builders as well. Did the Hicks car company stay in business for long?Glad you liked the "parlor car seating" in the 321! You're right, all three cars are from different builders - 308 is Niles, 309 Hicks and 321 Jewett. Hicks Locomotive & Car Works was in business about 15 years, if I remember right, from about 1901 or 1902 until right around WWI. In 1912 it was sold by its founder, F.M. Hicks (no relation), and renamed the Central Locomotive & Car Works.
MR77100 wrote:Where was the the 318 headed to when it was wrecked?
MR77100 wrote:I'm guessing you rode the CA&E train on Member's night as well, Frank. BTW, when did we get #303?You're correct - I was the conductor (the goofball in the Milwaukee Road uniform!) and then motorman on the later 309-only trip. I assume you mean when did we get 308? That was in November 1996. The Indiana Transportation Museum deaccessed it to raise cash, and one of our members donated the cost of purchasing the car. Restoration began in 1998, the car was made operational in 2002, and it entered revenue service in 2003. Restoration work on 308 is scheduled to be completed next year, and we hope to have a celebration or rededication ceremony of some sort.
MR77100 wrote:Interesting. Are we going to start work on #321 as well? That car needs alot of interior work of course, but the body is in good shape. My father might want to do some work on it, since he wants to get involved In reference to the 308's builder, was Niles the same as Brill? BTW, I work in the Diesel department,and am usually dressed in full Illinois Terminal attire; T-shirt and cap. I come up to the museum once or twice a month, so I will probably run into you soon.Work on 321 is scheduled to begin in 2008. Our plan is to finish 308 next year, then spend a year or two finishing up all the little things on the 309 that never got done the first time around, then start on 321 in about 2008. The 321 will need a new roof and rebuilt ends, which together should take about six years; then we start on the interior. We're always in need of more people, particularly to work on the current project (now 308, soon to be 309) - tell your father we'd love to have him join the team!