CTM-ONLINE   NEWSLETTER

   Sept. 2nd Edition    

 

Web-Stats for August '08 - 6874 visitors downloaded 33,175 pages - (464,937 hits) - [definition of statistics here]

(stats quoted for the combined; ct-trolley - ceraweb - ceraonline)

USA

1st @

5.26GB

AUGUST's TOP ELEVEN VIEWING COUNTRIES (in quantity of downloads)

United States - Canada - Australia - Great Britain - Germany - France

European Union - Spain - Japan - Russian Federation - Argentina

 

Argentina

11th @

1.32MB

 

 

 

NEWS ON THE ON-LINE

Select the article - or scroll down

 

 

WRITTEN INPUT WANTED

 

We all have been reading articles and Op-Ed pieces regarding the return to traction and Lite-Rail. I am calling on you to add your 2-bits to the fray by sending us your own articles, or just your thoughts, on the possibility and feasibility of developing a modern version in areas not now serviced by this type of rail transportation. The only requirement is that it be of your own origination and that you make your name available. I will honor your request for “published” anonymity if you so desire it.

 

Where else should this topic be viewed and discussed than right here at the heart and soul of real trolley transportation in Connecticut? Give us your piece-of-mind and read others’ philosophy on this current and especially relevant subject.

 

email: editor@ct-trolley.org

 

 New Feature Begins - check it out

 

Web Administrators Comment:

 

We are always looking for photographs, anecdotes, copies of trolley memorabilia and/or your general impressions of the CT  Trolley Museum – past or present. Share with us and our web-viewers your documentation and perspectives ...

 

Had a good time here or do you believe that there are things that we need to do to improve the overall experience? We can guess but we won’t know unless you inform us? Tell us – and in no uncertain terms if you wish :-(

 

Are you looking forward to Pumpkin Patch, Rails to the Darkside, the Pow-Wow or Winterfest? We publish this website to promote the CTM and also to give you an avenue of feedback. Talk with us!

 

Do take a few moments to dig up some old trolley campus photos then send us your digital copies – don’t worry about the color changes, wrinkles, cracks or spots, “Photoshop” can do some wondrous refurbishing.

 

Be Ye Member, visitor or the most casual of observers, our lines of communication will always be open to you… MAKE OUR DAY ;-)

 

editor@ct-trolley.org

 

CRUISE NIGHT - FINALLY

 

Finally after 3 weeks, the CT Trolley Museum had their cruise night. Although the turn out was not what was expected, the following people helped greatly:

 

Operators Justin Chasse, Xian Clere, Paul Gallo and David Capolla.

 

Tim Lesniak and Rob Levesque worked hard to get us some vintage 50's & 60's music only to have the amplifier fail. Back up plan was to use the sound system in North Road Station.

 

Special thanks to Duanne Gallo and Ginny Shahovskoy for taking care of the popcorn and lemonade stand in the lobby of the VC.

 

We don't want to forget Hugh Brower for taking over for Carol in the Giftshop and Marie Letellier for keeping the snack bar open.

 

Pete and Janet Lesniak won the 50/50 raffle and donated their share back to the museum.

 

We are not giving up!! Plans are being made to have another car cruise here next year. Stay Tuned!

 

Mike Caputo

 

 Check out some photos here

 

 

Halloween Time

 

Casting Call

Sept. 15th & 16th

 

It is not too early for us to be thinking of that time of year. We are bringing back our "Rails to the Dark Side" this fall and we need to entice you into playing some of our living corpses who will "decorate" the trolleys and facilities. Interested? It will be lots of fun and we can promise you a great time will be had!!!

 

Please contact Galen Semprebon (our chief boogiemiester) at:

office@ceraweb.org

 

 

 

TEAMWORK AND A LITTLE HUSTLE AT THE CTM

 

As a result of excellent planning and support from our Members, the
Substation now has two new Safety Switch power panels for the "West
Domestic" and "East Domestic" 120V/240V power feeds throughout the
Museum. These are the critical parts of the substation power network
that feeds our buildings, snack bar, fire museum, alarms, etc. This
"fix" also solved the problem of the 2 track circuits at North Road
showing "occupied" even when there were no trolleys present.

We completed the removal of the antique power panels and installation
of the new power panels in 3 hours as we had promised to minimize
impacts to Museum Operations on a very busy day. The power was back on
around 10AM for the Snack Bar, etc. to handle multiple bus group
charters. (When I looked in the Snack Bar coach, there were NO
available seats and people were in-line waiting.)

We also repaired the ceiling lights inside the substation. Ben will
order some spare special 30V 6W panel light bulbs for the main panel
(for the Traction and Signal Power), and a few 240V indicator bulbs to
be used in the Green and Red power indicators above the substation
building entrance door on the outside.

In addition, we replaced the defective pushbutton on Track 2 keystation
(Tim L. -- you lucked out... Ben found a good used one), and we fixed
the problem causing the Red signal at 19E, which was due to a bad
aerial cable conductor; not an easy problem to fix.

Ben had to climb several poles after we figured out exactly which one
of the many cable conductors had failed. (I remember when I was the one
who did the pole climbing and Walter used the meter, did the testing,
and the yelling. hmmmm...)

Thanks to Carol and the Operations staff for working around the various
problems while we diagnosed them and got the parts to make the repairs.

Also, Thanks to Bert Johanson, John Arel, and Ben Wallace for good
planning and for sticking to our game plan so we had the job done and
the power back by 10 AM as promised. Today reminded me of many other
well planned and well executed projects that our volunteers have been
doing during my 38 years as a Member.

Today, many of us were impressed and glad to see a group of 8+
Hallmark volunteers painting the windows and doors (green) outside the
VC building, working on gardening, etc.

Despite difficult problems, the Museum IS moving ahead fixing,
cleaning, painting and RUNNING.

Well done!

Al Goff

 

 

WELCOME ABOARD

A warm welcome and a sincere thank you are extended to these new volunteers - however long they may wish to lend their talents!

 

(alphabetical order)

 

            Michelle Burnham

             

            Duanne Gallo

             

            Sarah Moreau

             

            Theresa Regan

             

            Connor Spain

             

            Melinda Williams

             

            Shanice Williams

             

STUDENTS

We offer an interesting and satisfying way to collect those Community Service Hours

that are required for your graduation. Serious “players” only…

 

Contact “The Carol” for more info;

czenczak@ceraweb.org

 

 

 

 

 

Got the urge to be at the controls of a "time machine"?

 

Guest Operator Program

 

Cost: $55.00

 

As "Guest Operator" you will experience two, hands-on (YOU are the exclusive motorman), round trips between North Road Station (Isle of Safety) and Wells Road with some preliminary time given to verbal instruction and safety considerations.

 

Included is a one year “Individual Membership” in the Connecticut Trolley Museum. If you wish to upgrade to a “Family Membership”, the cost would be $70.00.

 

If you desire, you may include, at no additional costs, a limited number of family/guests (4 total) in a ride-along so that they may share in your unique Motorman experience.

 

Payment should be made in the CTM Giftshop where the pertinent information will be taken. You will then be contacted by one of the CTM's Certified Instructors and a compatible date and time can be arranged.

 

Interested?

 

Please contact the Museum for additional information...

Tel;   (860) 627 6540

Gift Shop; giftshop@ceraweb.org

 

 How about a gift certificate - a great idea and so easily done

 

 

 

 

 

 TRACKLESS TROLLEYS and BOSTON’S ARBORWAY LINE

 

An in-depth look into the history of one of the prime movers

of the Massachusett Transit Authority (MTA).

 

Mr. Paul Joyce has put together a terrific article along with a few

“oldies” photographs for our “on-line newsletter” readers.

 

The CTM has three of these critters discussed; #8483, 8488 & 8494 on the back '40 lot, at the moment, in somewhat less than pristine condition, awaiting restoration.

 

Click on the header for some interesting reading

 

 

The WW&F Narrow Gauge RailRoad

 

We recently asked Mr. James Patten, webmaster of the WW&F web site, if he would care to put together a synopsis of his (favorite) RR for our CTM "online-newsletter" visitors. He has graciously done so on very short notice.

 

This is a Maine (USA) narrow gauge railroad that is growing each year in length and membership. I believe that you will enjoy his narrative and the many great photographs. Select any photo on the WW&F page to view the enlargement.

 

Joe S /CTM online editor

 

Click on the header to view the article

 

 

 NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO SELL

 The Connecticut Electric Railway Association, Inc. will make available for sale

on the Internet's E-Bay, selected items of significance with the proceeds to be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Connecticut Trolley Museum.

[Special E-Bay location found here]

 

  

Their new schedule should be online very soon. Check them out Click here for directed email