Club car service began on the C&NW's commuter lines on April 1, 1929 with a single heavyweight converted coach numbered 6700. As the coach wore out, it was replaced over time, but the replacements were assigned the number 6700. Eventually the service expanded and at its peak (around 1965) it consisted of four cars: 6700, 510, 553, and 555. The last three car numbers related to time; 510 was the historic departure time, 533 and 555 were the arrival times at Lake Forest and Lake Bluff respectively. As service declined, the service demanded less cars, but one remained in service as of the year 2009. Note also that the colors are changing on the equipment, and the club cars will eventually be repainted in RTA colors.
In RTA’s beginning, two of the original suburban RTA board members - Richard Newland of Waukegan and Daniel Baldino of suburban Cook County.
And from the May 28, 1976 newspaper, THE DAILY HERALD: The suburban directors apparently blocked the budget transfer to demonstrate their power to hamstring RTA operations. Their action came after Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley publicly attacked the suburbs for getting more than their share of the RTA pie. Richard D. Newland, board member from Waukegan, said the suburban directors won their point and now are willing to compromise. 'I think we can work that out', Newland said. 'We certainly don't want anyone to work for nothing '. The RTA staff also announced a new regional fare structure cannot go into effect until Sept 1.
And this from the June 30, 1975 RTA Annual Report: RICHARD D. NEWLAND Mr. Newland, the president of the Bank of Waukegan, represents the five outlying counties served by RTA. He left a promising professional baseball career (Cincinnati Reds) in 1951 to enter the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. A native of Iowa, Mr. Newland received his bachelors degree from Drake University. He is active in Lake County civic affairs, serving 10 years as an officer of the YMCA and as a director of the Waukegan School Board. He has also been comptroller of the North Shore Sanitary District. As temporary treasurer of the RTA, Mr. Newland has added to RTA working capital through prudent investment of funds. His term expires June 30, 1978.
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