Bus and Trackless News
April 18, 2008 - Tom Santarelli

Danny and Eric Perry rigging a metal line pole near Highwood Carbarn for installation

A quick update to kick off 2008.

Continuing from last year is the ongoing clean up and clearing of the bus parking area to make way for the second trackless loop. To kick off the day this morning, the brown pickup truck went to scrap.

To mark the yearly anniversary of Fred Perry's passing, his sons Chris and Eric have decided to honor their father by making it a yearly Museum project day. This year, they both teamed up and helped us set the metal pole that was welded and painted last year. We found the pole was too tall to fit under the main feed wires. Rather than cut the finished pole, we decided to weld up the next pole and cut it to the proper length.

Spring Cleaning - Pick-up truck sent to scrap

Chris Perry welding the base and gussetts to a pole

The setting of these poles is a major hurdle that will make possible a major upgrade to the Highwood yard overhead and also will integrate the trackless trolley overhead extension. I think Fred would be very pleased that he was honored this way today. Fred was always about getting projects just like this done.

Unfortunately the 2nd pole was put together hastily today and could not be painted before being set. However, its position is easy to reach with our line trucks and the painting can be done later. If anyone is interested in helping to paint it, please let me know. We are going to be looking for help in various areas to keep the momentum going.

Thanks to Danny Cohen, Jack Coyle, Paul Kochs, Chris Perry, Eric Perry, Tom Santarelli, Roger Tobin (and Bob Hughes for some arranging from afar).

Setting one of the metal poles near Highwood

Chris and Eric adjust the pole for proper alignment