Sorry about the delay, have not checked the site in a bit...
The 1100 is a running car and was towed simply because of its age and the list of qualified operators is very slim. The last day at the shops before the car was taken off CSS property the shop guys and others were fan tripping the car in the yard. The car was ran in the yard because the only guy around was yard qualified and not road quaified, they tried but no luck so running the car in the yards was still a good treat. Send donations!!! The car will run at IRM if we can afford to get her home!!!
The CSS 40 does get a trickle charge along with one or two other CSS cars in the same area, the batteries get filled and checked every few months. Cars are normally kept in ready to run condition but with lack of help and volunteers things fall toward the way side.
IRM has been putting alot of time and effort into bringing the overhead back into pan standards, we have made some great progress. Poles have been straightened, better and more reliable pan jumpers are being built along with repairing Catenary. It all money and time, all volunteers labor force.
Finally the CSS wire truck must have dissapaered on the CSS, it never came to IRM, you may be confused with the CTA trucks we once had..
Thanks and as always feel free to ask
Stan Wdowikowski
Illinois Railway Museum
Electric Car Dept.