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When the mold is attached, the cavities are filled with both a thermit charge and an ignition charge. The
ignition charge is ignited by sparks from a special "lighter."
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The running rail is used as the electrical power "ground" return to the sub-station. Good ground return enhances power
supply to trains. The average distance on an average interurban line between sub-stations was between 3.5 to 5 miles. On the
CA&E sub-stations were about 4 miles apart and fed sections in both directions. On the AE&FRE sub-stations were much
further apart, however the trains were usually only one car in length and were powered by much smaller motors than CA&E cars
and probably there were not more than one or two cars in a power section at the same time. From records and anecdotal history
the AE&FRE had feeder lines over the entire distance between Elgin and Aurora and the rails were "bonded." That is there was
a copper bond about 4.5 to 5 inches in length connecting each rail to the next rail. The bonds were usually 4/0 in size, i.e.
about the size of a normal index finger. All of this is to say by way of introduction what
"bonding" is and how it is done and
its importance in the operation of the Fox River Line. The story is
written primarily to familiarize our readers in language that
even your editor can understand of a very important part of what makes the Fox River Trolley Museum run.
It IS NOT a technical treatise.
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The weld takes place after ignition. The charge heats the welding material to 4000 deg. fahrenheit. After cooling
the mold is removed and cleaned of residue and made ready for the next weld.
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Another view of the weld taking place after ignition.
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During several days in 2007, Fred
Lonnes, Al Barker and Ed
Konecki, Roadmaster, spent several days replacing broken
or missing bonds between Castlemuir and Blackhawk station in the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. This is a picture story of
that process on one of those days. It occurred on one of those particularly beautiful October days, best described as
"Indian Summer." As a result of this work, one running rail (mostliy west side) is completely bonded between Castlemuir
and Blackhawk Station.
Don Mac Bean
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Mission
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To preserve and interpret Chicago's electric transport era that began in the 1890s and
peaked before 1950. The electric transport era is significant because electric railways,
including interurban, rapid transit, and streetcars, helped the Chicago region grow to be one of
North America's great metropolitan areas. The Museum strives to show that electric railways
were more than convenient, they were and are a way of life for generations of people from
all walks of life.
The Museum fulfills this mission by preserving, interpreting, and operating historic
railway vehicles on its demonstration electric railway, over the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River
Electric route at South Elgin, Illinois. Furthermore, the museum preserves, displays and
interprets smaller artifacts, photos, oral histories, and documents which help relate the importance
of electric transport in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area, putting them in context
with their surroundings and era.
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Blind Spots
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Did you ever have a situation at home where you had a burned out light, but it was burned out so long you just didn't notice
it anymore? Have you ever had a pile of magazines or newspapers stacked in a corner for so long that you never saw
them anymore? Then, one day, you have a guest come over. What is the first thing your guest sees? Does your guest see
your exquisite scale model of a Chicago Aurora and Elgin interurban trolley car? Does your guest see your amazing library of
railroad books that took you over 20-years to collect? Does your guest see your incredible photographs of historic railroad
scenes? Nope. They don't see your treasures. The very first things that your guest sees are the burned out light and the pile
of magazines. They see the lack of maintenance and the mess. They see your junk; they never see your treasures.
When everyone sees your junk, but you don't, you have a blind spot. Just like there is a blind spot in your car's mirror
that keeps you from seeing traffic, there is a blind spot in your perception that keeps you from seeing what is really around you.
People have blind spots to any thing and every thing, even to historical collections at railroad museums.
Let's apply the idea of a blind spot to our Museum. Our Museum has incredible treasures. We have the oldest
operating Chicago Aurora and Elgin interurban trolley car. We have the only Chicago streetcar post office trolley in existence. We
have two 400 plus year old oak trees. We have a 111-year old railroad. We have amazing things to ride and see, but we also
have blind spots.
Our guests don't have blind spots. They won't see the treasures, but here are some of the things they would see on their
first visit:
•Piles of junk wood (But wait— those are important switch ties);
•Piles of scrap steel (But wait— that is important track material);
•A cracked window in the trolley they ride on (There is a cracked window?)
•Broken downspout (There is a broken downspout?);
•Faded and peeling paint (Gee, I remember repainting that building);
Let's start dealing with our Blind Spots. If we deal with our Blind Spots, we can make the Museum more attractive to
our guests and help us attract new members. The next time you come to the Museum, look at the Museum like a new guest.
Throw away your blind spots and take a clear hard look at what you see. Make a list of the items that you think are in the
Museum's Blind spot and send them to me at my e-mail address or at the Museum P.O. Box 315, South Elgin. IL 60177. I would like
to make taking care of our Blind Spots our top priority in 2008.
See you in South Elgin!
Ed Konecki
Comments: edwardkonecki@aol.com
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Following are excerpts from a letter of the Trolley Museum of New York seeking donations sent to members, friends
and supporters of the Kingston Trolley Museum. Does the situation sound familiar? Are there lessons for us?
"Greetings . . . I have been working as the Administrator of the Trolley Museum since March. I've been told that I am the
"first" official employee of the Museum in its 52-year history. This is both a challenge and tremendous opportunity. Kingston has
been recognized by Business Week Magazine as one of the best places for artists to live and work. Almost every weekend,
the waterfront becomes a destination for thousands of visitors. The Trolley Museum is an
active participant in Kingston's revitalization. One of my major assignments at the Museum is to expand our role in the cultural community; to be proactive
and creative in our operations, events and outreach. I am excited to be working with the Board of Trustees, the
passholders (members) and volunteers in fulfilling the many goals of the Museum.
Since coming on board. I have had conversations with many residents of Kingston about the Trolley Museum. I have
reached several conclusions:
•The majority of people I have spoken with know of our existence, but have never visited.
•Trolleys are more than an historical legacy. As we look towards the future, transportation as we know it today will change.
Our past may indeed play a role in our future.
•The role of cultural tourism is key in the continued vitality of our city. We receive inquiries frequently from people from all
over the world who are interested in the arts and history of Kingston, and are planning a visit. The Trolley Museum has become
a central component in Kingston's cultural infrastructure.
The area around the Trolley Museum has seen recent changes, which will only accelerate in the future. You may have noticed
we have a new parking lot, thanks to the City . . . . a list of many other substantial changes in streets and buildings including
interest by a developer in extending the Museum's track to their development . . . and development of restaurants and
bike/pedestrian trails along the Museum's track.
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New York State is currently funding $50,000 to study the electrification of our tracks. Steve Finkle, Kingston's Director
of Economic Development, is working on a plan to translate the study into a funded project which would allow the
Trolley Museum to operate some of its electric trolleys.
The Trolley Museum will be expanding its participation at many of the city's events. We have become an active member of
the Rondout Business Association and are developing relationships with cultural institutions, schools, service organizations,
and businesses throughout Kingston and the Mid-Hudson Valley. We welcome your thoughts and input.
There follows a listing of Museum operating dates and operating and office hours.
Signed, Steve"
Don MacBean
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Fox River Lines Staff
Managing Editor—Don MacBean, 817 College Ave. #5, Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 665-2581 E-mail DMacbRR@aol.com
Associate Editor—Luke Helm, Jr.
Layout and Graphics— Jack Sowchin
Fox River Lines is the official publication of the Fox River Trolley Association, Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit
corporation. It is published four times per calendar year for distribution to members and friends of the museum. Reproduction
of Fox River Lines, either in part or in its entirety, is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the editorial staff or the FRTA board
of directors. Entire contents Copyright © 2007 Fox River Trolley Association, Inc.
Submissions: Submission of stories from members and others is necessary to publish
Fox River Lines. Feature length articles are always welcome and considered. Please contact the staff before undergoing a project. Contributors
submit materials with the understanding that no monetary compensation is provided.
Correspondence: Comments, suggestions, and corrections relating to
Fox River Lines should be directed to Managing Editor Don MacBean at the address listed above. The editorial staff appreciates your feedback.
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