Edison A100 on Chicago CL

[FrankH]

I'm not involved in any way with this sale, I jut saw it on Chicago CL. I'm don't have space for it myself but thought someone here might be interested. Edison A-100 DD advertised at $200; according to the listing the reproducer is in good shape but it's missing the crank and there are some issues with the cabinet.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/clt/3868211531.html

[Chuck]

Thank you for posting that add Frank!
I am in central Illinois for the summer,
about 20 miles south of Bloomington.

Hey nice picture of a WOODEN Chicago, Aurora,
and Elgin Railroad electric interurban car!
(300 series I think)...

I've been to Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant,
Iowa, and have ran their C.A.&E. wooden
car #320 many, many times. IRM at Union, Ill.
also has a very nice collection of various
wood and later steel C.A.&E. electric
interurbans and at least one suburban car (#415).

Yeah, I would like to find a DD machine in
fair shape for a fair price.

Chuck

[FrankH]

Hey nice picture of a WOODEN Chicago, Aurora,
and Elgin Railroad electric interurban car!
(300 series I think)...

Thanks! And you're exactly right - it's car 309 at IRM. I'm a regular volunteer at IRM and help work on the museum's wood CA&E cars. I've ridden 320 at Mount Pleasant; it's a beautiful car! IRM has sister car 319 but it's modernized and has a painted interior.

[Chuck]

I have many fond memories of several great
visits to IRM over the years, sometimes
with a large group of my family.

In fact, we have been known to use IRM as
a meeting place for our family reunions!
One time, a few years ago, we were all sitting
on the benches out front of the depot, and
in pulls the North Shore train.

I took my 7 year old nephew who is an aspiring
electric railroader, and walked him over to
the North Shore train and asked the motorman
if it would be ok if my nephew took a few
pulls on the whistle cord. Permission was
granted and instead of a few gentle tugs he
pulled it all the way down and held it there!

Boy that was quite a scene, people really
jumped!

As for C.A.&E. #320 at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa,
there's nothing quite like having the night
trick as motorman on it, and having the front
door open, letting in the night air.
Unfortunately, the last and very complete
restoration of that car prevents this now
because the headlight no longer can be mounted
on the bar, free of the door. Ahh well, at
least I got to enjoy that scenario while it
still existed.

Some folks might complain that I am going again "off topic" here.

But we know that C.A.&E. wooden interurbans
and Edison Diamond Disc machines are the
same thing, just in different forms.
It is the same essence. To be savored.
The wooden interurbans do, in fact, play
music, if you listen for it.

Chuck