({[pat]}) In Kenosha, WI

[Kenneth Josephson]

Jim Holland wrote:

>         I think their historic trolleycars are a stretch of the imagination,
> especially after hearing your description.

One car is painted as a Cincinnati PCC, a stretch since the car has one pole and
looks like the Toronto car it is. (Ironically, TTC had a fleet of ex-Cincinnati
cars.) The rationale is that the car's colors are the same as those used by the
Green Bay Packers.

The TTC paint would have been accurate IF the car had been returned to its TTC
"4500" condition. The car was modified and repainted in the CLRV paint scheme
when it received modifications during its rebuilding into a "4600."

The car in Chicago colors uses too dark a green for the white, orange and green
scheme originally applied to the "Green Hornets." The car is too short, too
narrow and doesn't have enough doors to provide a proper Chicago ambience.

Even so, all three cars are well finished and comfortable. The wheels on the
ex-CTA trucks need to be turned and the late Joe McCarthy acknowledged this.

> Their budget may operate on
> a shoestring as well; 1-2 years ago they were soliciting donations for
> support.  The economy is red hot now; what happens if it cools a little,
> esp. in Kenosha.

The developement surrounding the line is supposed to be for upper middle class
commuters to Chicago, using the line to reach the Metra station and shopping
areas.

>
>         Is Johnson Wax still there - is it still the main employer?

The main employer was AMC (later Chrysler.)  Johnson Wax is in Racine
(pronounced RAY-seen, not ra-seen.) ;-)

>
>         And as I mentioned, maybe it is ({[pat]}) colors and not PRCo.

We were hoping one car would be painted in Milwaukee Electric traction orange
and cream (similar to Johnstown.....I had to tie this in to Western
Pennsylvania.)

Of course, I wouldn't mind a 1600 or 1700 finding its way to Wisconsin and being
restored to service in Pittsburgh Railways colors! Ken J.