A Comedy of Labours

Forsooth, good friends all, wis ye not that to-day hath been proclaimed "Talk Like Shakespeare Day" throughout all the fair province of Illinois? Wherefore we shall write as we do speak, and cast scorn upon all that ken not our fair words. (Sorry, folks, I don't have time to put it all into pentameter.) But admit me, then, as Prologue to the comedy.

Scene: Fields near Union-Upon-Kishwaukee

Enter first the burly knight, Sir Rodrigo, the leader of this noble band. Most of his time he doth spend directing his men what worthy tasks they shall perform, and imparting his subtle wisdom as to what is the best way to accomplish any thing. But here we see him as he painteth some window sills on IT 518.

Myself at first did start by removing the remaining masking tape and paper from the windows of the 518, as well ye may see. And then with Joy did we pull the car outside to complete the job.

And, of course, betimes there were many other projects which the merry crew did apply themselves unto. Enter the thrice-renowned Don Francisco and his trusty squire Michael; note how they do valiantly strip the paint from the wooden seats of the Veracruz open car. Verily, the gods do prosper their handiwork.

And here, the noble Sir Henry, the whilom General of our army, hath forsaken arms to take up the implements of peace, and installeth an addition unto the dust collection system in the new shop extension.

And next, the learned Doctor, clothed as a rude workman and disguised as a follower of Rodrigo, doth paint the handrails on the 518 with paint as black as pitch. Not that I really know what "pitch" might be.

And later I did also repaint the side doors on the car, and touch up the paint here and there. And replace a window, and so on.

Enter next Dan Fenlaciki and his worthy sire Jon, the father of this brave young whelp. They labour hard to clean up the windows of CA&E #451.

I then did travel with them on the dusty road over to Barn 2. Here did I grasp the repainted controller cover, which Jim Followell had prepared, and carried it with toil and care unto the 319, whence it came. This ought to keep dust out of the mechanism whilst I prepare to repaint the vestibule, methinks.

And also did behold with amazement as the Fenlacikis did install new windows in the 451.

And then, last but not least, enter the noble Geoffrey, one of my eldest friends, as he doth examine window frames in the Michigan Electric 28. With unflagging zeal goeth he about his wonted tasks on this long-term project.

By the end of the day the 518 looketh like this, which the many did behold with glee. Thereby, next week, shall our honored guests be carried with regal pomp unto Kishwaukee Grove and back.

And to be sure, there were many other players in this fair day, the which I had not time to record. Sorry! Many were the volunteers who were working hither and yon, and indeed we had also a goodly number of visitors, although there was no revenue service. And we were even graced by the occasional presence of the notable Duke Nickolas, who scorneth not (or at least not much) the acquaintance of lowly folk such as we.

Here ends my humble tale. And may this temple,
Which from the Muses Nine doth take its name,
By those same Nine be blest and consecrate,
That they who labour hard within its bounds
Shall prosper, and much thanks be unto them
Who help in any way at IRM.