Electric Car Department

You who read along regularly know that as a Collection Curator I try to bring your attention to worthy projects.  Lately that has been Barn 14 funding and I cannot emphasize that too strongly.

Executive Director Nick Kallas

Here is our smiling Executive Director, Nick Kallas, with a new to us Johnson farebox destined for the Sand Springs 68.  Why is he smiling?  Through Nick's efforts it seems one of our cars has received an 11th hour reprieve from de-accessioning and scrapping.  It appears funds are now sufficient to place Chicago & Western Indiana 1185 wood gondola in the select group that will be housed in Barn 14 when it is built.  The message is clear - IT CAN BE DONE!

In this entry I would also like to call attention to the need for funding for many of our recently acquired Electric Cars.  The typical trolley is a fragile thing, often with a canvas roof, and many with wood parts that are particularly susceptible to wind and weather.  Some of these cars yet remain outdoors, some under tarps which is a temporary stop gap measure at best.

Of course, if you have a favorite you may donate to the restricted fund for that car number.  If you are not that familiar with the details of the collection there is another way.  Please send a donation to RISWEC (on line or by mail) or to RTRKEC.  Those two fund balances are managed by that department head and thus can be apportioned to do the most good.  The first fund is for Indoor Storage of Electric Cars and the second for Track Space for Electric Cars.

Why the notice to support the track space fund?  The simple answer is that our system of acquisitions is that each new arrival is assessed a charge to help offset the cost of the track it sits upon.  Some of the recent electric cars still have not cleared those charges and those MUST be cleared for the car to be eligible for permanent space in a Barn.  Both funds urgently need donations.

On line or by mail to

Illinois Railway Museum

Box 427

Union, IL 60180