August, 20, 2020 The trolley project has been extremely lucky to get as far as we have. The community generosity providing materials, supplies, and support has made all the difference. For the most part, we have never found ourselves wanting for anything as we pushed forward. We were lucky to get a great place to continue the project when we lost what we thought would be our permanent home at the Jamestown Gateway Train Station. Lou and Rodney Anderson with Ideal Coatings have put us up for a few years now. We must however, start the daunting task of coming up with a new, permanent home for #93, before our good fortune runs out. We now have the Fenton History Center as our fiscal sponsor allowing us to apply for grants and receive tax exempt donations. We have even proposed that our permant home will be on Fenton property. Here is a look at one very ambitious idea for a building.
Right now, with it up on the hill and behind some large trees, it is quite easy to drive by the Fenton mansion building without even seeing it. Our idea is to set up Trolley Car #93 as a calling card just off the main highway that will draw visitors onto the Fenton property and perhaps encourage them to check out the museum. The brick design will mimic the back entry to the mansion therefore providing an appealing congruence of design.
August 2020 A meeting with Jamestown's Mayor Eddie Sundquist, Director of Public Works/Parks, Jeff Lehman, Parks Manager John Williams and Executive Director at the Fenton Historical Society, Noah Goodling provided us with the suggestion to reach out to Clark Patterson Lee Architects. We soon met up with Robert Nordin Architect with the CPL Jamestown Office. Bob offered to give our idea a look and we are hoping to hear back from him soon.
August 2020… Might as well get the unlucky thing out of the way. The main reason things have picked up a bit in August 2020, is Jim has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. A very agressive type, and although he is still moving around like he is a healthy 50 year old, looks like 92 will be his limit as per Roswell and Cleveland Clinic. Terrible news, but this image shows how he is currently handling what will soon end his life.
August 10, 2020 Jim figured I should install the two interior lights in the back of the trolley because I am tall and wouldn't need a ladder. One is original from #93, the other came from a sister trolley that was demolished just after I got the light out of it. Unfortunately they are not a match.
August 10, 2020 Quentin and Jim start preparing the step brackets for installation
Let's get em on.
Jim getting comfortable?
Looks pretty good.
August 11, 2020 Tucked in the corner of their shop. We are lucky to have such accomodating "landlords". But it would sure be nice to have a permanent home.
Quentin gives the bare metal a coat of paint.
September 16, 2020 Jim's connections at Fancher Chair gets us a nice piece of oak for the step. Thank You Fancher Chair!
A few shims and shaves to make things just right.
September 17, 2020 Up on the roof. The trolley pole base, donated by Byron West with the Warren Rail Car Service in Warren, PA. goes in place.
Bringing in the big guns. The stow position on the trolley pole base required more weight than Jim and Quentin could bring to bear. Fortunately, Rodney Anderson, Ideal Coatings Owner, was up to the task.
This Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 Road Trip! We hope anyway. If all are up to the task when the day comes, we are off to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washinton PA to return the step parts they lent us for our project. It will be nice to tie up this loose end while we are all still together. Jim says it will give him a chance to look at a few things he wished he had paid closer attention to on past visits. Quentin, wasn't able to go last time.
