M454?

[Kenneth Josephson]

I also wish to add there is often a dilemma faced by trolley museums when a decision
is made to save a piece of equipment: Do you save a particular car because it was the
last to run or a fan favorite? Or do you save the car in the best condition which is
the most representative of the company or the car series?

IRM could have saved NSL 150, the first of the system's famous high speed steel
coaches. The 150 had been heavily modified due to a fire or accident (I am not sure
which.) Sister car 160 was in the best condition of the series, was close to original
condition and had a more recent overhaul, so it was obtained instead. Ditto for a
representative of the last of the steel high speed coaches. Car 776 was the last
standard interurban coach built for the NSL, outshopped by Standard Steel Car in
1930. But it was due for a major overhaul and the Museum's board believed slightly
older, but recently overhauled Pullman car 749 was a better candidate to represent
the newest heavyweights. As it turned out, 160 and 749 still needed much work and a
later acquisition of NSL Standard Steels 757 and 763 from East Troy indicated the
Museum's initial decision was a sound one.

Milwaukee's last electric scheduled transit vehicle was a TC-44 Marmon-Herrington
trolley coach, number 428. Again, IRM could have acquired this historic vehicle.
Sister coach 441, however, was in much better condition (I rode in it last summer
with Bob Rathke. We were running up and down the dirt road known as Central Avenue at
IRM and this coach did not squeak or rattle, even at a relatively good clip!) The
decision was made to spare 441 and let 428 go to Mexico City, where it also required
a major overhaul in time to remain in service.

Now I've been told 1711 was not the best 1700 interurban for PTM to preserve, but it
was the last scheduled car on the Washington line. There was a historic tie to the
line it travels today. So that factored into its being rescued by PTM. Perhaps when
that car eventually receives the same attention as 1138  is receiving now, there will
be some members mumbling under their breath about the decision to save 1711 instead
of say, 1713 which went elsewhere. But remember, all these cars were pretty rough for
most of their lives. Oldtimers tell me choosing 1138 was a true case of choosing the
least of many evils. Some wanted 1111 simply because it was the"Four Aces" and
because of the famous snow shot we have all seen of it (a great photo, by the way.)
:-)

Another example is museum politics. PRCo. 100 (M-11) is a very sore spot. The very
first production PCC to run in service ***anywhere.***  The car was lost. IRM saved
two Milwaukee Electric interurban cars that were heavily modified in the 1920s, but
refused to preserve some freight motors from Michigan's UP becuase they were heavily
modified. Go figure.

Ken J.