The big problem with the resistor grid assemblies is getting new grids. A couple of years ago we were able to buy about about half of the grids needed from the good folks at the Shoreline Trolley Museum. (Of course the original manufacturers like Westinghouse and General Electric no longer make them.)

The remaining grids are a different value, and we may have to get them cast, which means designing a pattern and getting a foundry which is willing to try to make them. Resistor grids are very fragile and difficult to separate from the mold without breaking them, which makes many foundries reluctant to try. Our foundry contractor may have figured a way to cast them but we haven't tried yet.

As to why the resistor grid problem hasn't been addressed earlier, all I can say is that the shop volunteers who are capable of doing the work have been kept busy doing other things on 1005 and the continuing maintenance jobs on the operating cars (and helping build Car House 3, etc.). We wanted to get the 1005 running, and make sure that we have all the necessary parts ready to go so that when we start rebuilding the grids we don't have to stop while new parts are designed and fabricated.