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?
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
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
Comments
Wed, 04-11-2018 11:28
You mention in the header that you would like to have the Electroliner operational by its birthday. Was it?
Sun, 04-08-2018 20:03
As a child, IRM was always my favorite place to visit. Well, other than grandma's house next to the Geneva Sub. It's been many years since I now [...]
Wed, 04-04-2018 16:01
Those temporary walls could be constructed in a way that allows their reuse after the phase is done to close off the new phases.
Tue, 03-27-2018 03:08
Why did the smoke box cover on the shay need to be replace Do?
Mon, 03-26-2018 16:29
It never ceases to amaze me of the diligence and passion of the current mix of volunteers associated with IRM in 2018. Back when I was a active [...]
Mon, 03-26-2018 11:10
Awesome paint job Jamie!!! I never would of thought with the Rock Island history this locomotive in this scheme would of been preserved. Thanks for [...]
Sun, 03-25-2018 23:56
The Hick's blog lists it as Fruit Grower's Express FGEX #55407. Arrived in Union June 2016.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:51
Good job on the diesel update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:45
Good job on the steam update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 00:12
Bill, The 1990 Roster has the PFE #68428; this may be the reefer that we saw moved. It is a rare car and deserves a paint job. Ted Miles, [...]
Fri, 03-16-2018 11:10
It would be rather difficult to operate an 11,000 Volt AC locomotive on our 600 Volt DC wire.
Thu, 03-15-2018 05:57
Good job steam update. Sincerely, Ethan A.