Barn 14

As you all have read by now we are actively pursuing funding and hopefully construction of a new Barn in the near future.  There are many worthy candidates.  I have had some inquiries on these two fragile wood bodied cabooses.  Are they BARN FODDER?

CNSM 1002

Many almost swoon at the mention of the North Shore Line.  If I said we had just discovered a hidden car that was almost unknown for 49 years, I suspect we would be getting calls from the post office to pick up our mail twice per day, the response would be so great.  Well, it is true!!  We have had this 1926 Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee wood bodied caboose since 1963, shortly after the line abandoned service.  As you might imagine, another half century (almost) of outdoor storage has not been kind to it.  Platforms rotted, steps fallen off, a tarpaper roof to help keep water at bay.  It is unique, historic, and its future is in question.  Fund R1002

CNW 10494

This one is a 1915 wood bodied Chicago & North Western caboose acquired by IRM in 1958, and it has lived outdoors ever since.  Some basic level of patching and repairs continue to be done, but you can clearly see that it is CLOSE to the end of the line.  The roof leaks and water gets into and behind the siding, and even the structural framing is being affected.   As long as equipment like this does not get under roof it is an uphill battle, a losing one at that!  Fund R10494

Yes IRM is only the second owner of these cars, and has owned them for more time than they spent with either of the original owners.  Railway preservation is at a crossroads in many areas of the country, and we have to face the issue of whether equipment saved for so long should continue to be saved.  Only today I read where the Kentucky Railroad Museum sold ELEVEN pieces of their collection for SCRAP, including four locomotives.  These wood cabooses would not bring much as scrap value but their future is by no means certain.

Many ask, why do these continue to see little attention and remain outdoors?  The answer is YOU!

Plans are underway for Barn 14 and it is not yet fully funded nor the space fully committed.  Most volunteers spend freely of their time and money to make IRM and the COLLECTION a better place; I cannot ask them to do more.  We cannot do this alone.  Substantial donations to either of these could assure them a space in the next building.  If not - well - look closely at the images.  Please vote with your dollars and help us decide if they can be saved.

Illinois Railway Museum

Box 427

Union IL 60180