Recently, ELDCPS was looking for replacement roller curtain mechanisms for our 10-6 'City of Lima', which has Adlake #128 roller curtains. Previous experience with Adlake had frankly been less than satisfactory, but with the old formed sheet-metal rollers splitting at the seams and worn out generally, I bit my lip and made an inquiry.

I'm happy to say it seems there's a new approach afoot at Adlake. Management has recognized that the restoration community is a market segment they'd been ignoring, and it seems they've taken a new, and refreshing look at our needs.

Mike Rzeszutko, their Director Of Sales has taken the position that if there's a need for a particular item, he wants to pool orders to justify a production run, and in so doing lower the unit costs to the purchaser. We were able to do this for a production run of the new, extruded aluminum version of the roller curtains for 'City of Lima', (which are superior to the old formed sheet metal ones) -- at a price far less than Adlake had previously offered them for.

To facilitate these sort of joint production runs, Mike has created what he calls the "Adlake Historical Alliance", featured here on their redesigned webpage:

http://adlake.com/index.php?option=com_ ... 4&Itemid=5

We were rather pleased to have been able to be a 'test run' of Adlake's new outlook, and encourage everyone who might need their products or services to drop Mike a line. It might well work to all our advantage...

Mike Rzeszutko
Director Of Sales
Adams & Westlake, Ltd.
940 N. Michigan Street
Elkhart, IN 46514
574.264.1141 office
574.850.9859 cell
574.264.1146 fax
www.adlake.com

Bravo Adlake. Hope they set an example that others emulate.

Steve

Adams & Westlake will have a vendor booth at this year's ARM and TRAIN conference (aka 2011 Railway Heritage Preservation Conference). It's really great to see a company that such has a long history of supplying parts to the railroad industry take an active role in filling a big void in passenger car restoration.

If you want to know more about this year's conference, go to either http://www.railwaymuseums.org or http://www.traininc.org.

G. Mark

We are happy to be building these parnterships and learning your needs. Over the last year I have gotten to see some great pieces of history and enjoy helping where we can.

Add your name to the Adlake Historical Alliance list so we can let you know when we are working on special projects and special pricing.

I welcome you feedback and look forward to meeting many of you either at the show or as I travel around the country.

Mike Rzeszutko
(Mike at Adlake)
www.adlake.com