Hello Charles Here is a short list 1 roof sandblasted and painted, 2 mfg of two stairs 3 welding of entire vestibule area.4 install new stairs 5 purchase new carpet in lounge, 6 clean all section seats 7 remove boards in lounge ceiling 8 purchase and install new lighting. 9 Prime and paint hallway 10 install new sinks, comb baskets and clean both bathrooms 11repair electrical cabinet 12 disable spicer drives and lub them 13 mfg and install all exterior windows and 14 paint exterior. That should keep us going for many years. Donations are so important Roger
with some new Grease in the Bearings, fresh Paint/Primer, restich the interior, this could see revenue service in 10 years or so. once we get the right funding.
Where is the 10 year estimate coming from? I haven't heard that mentioned by anyone in the Passenger Car Department, Roger, or anyone involved with this project.
Hi again Stan. I am basing my estimate on prior volunteer projects at Irm I think I said it might take 10 yrs!! Lots of variables. We have almost all parts but might be lacking 1] volunteer labor and 2] money to work on the project. This goes for almost all the restorations at Irm Do you agree!? Roger
Well, I would totally agree except that you and Paul Cronin are involved in the project, plus the rest of the passenger car department. When IRM acquired Henrietta RI 2612 you said its going to be ready in time for Thomas and it was. That project was huge. If anything you're more determined in this project since you're personally invested in it, so I would say probably a year. My donation will be included with my upcoming membership renewal, as I expect several others will be doing as well.
Hello Stanley Your right but at this moment there are not as many volunteers coming out as there were for the 2612. Matter of fact one key guy, Gary Sherman, is out of the picture and working in Florida, A couple others, for physical reasons, can not make it out as often as before. I hope you are right and I am wrong. Want to help us? Thanks for your future donation. I appreciate it very mnuch Roger
With so many pieces of rolling stock awaiting restoration, why on earth was this amount of money spent on the Mt. Harvard? The last thing IRM needs is yet another passenger car, especially one so similar to one you already own. The barns are already full of unfinished projects as it is.
What about all of the crusty, decrepit looking diesels that are in desperate need of some TLC?
Mr. Nicholson... I am reluctant to answer your question but on second thought.... I take it you have visited our museum. The members take an awful lot of pride in what we have accomplished here at Irm. The quick answer is because we can, we will and we have. Those decrepit pieces your talking about all have a personal history on how and where they operated and who was involved w/ saving them. The key word is saving them. We are not saving them for you but for our membership and people who appreciate what we have done. WE and most museums display and preserve artifacts for future generations to marvel at the technology and enjoy. We are doing that at Irm. Preserving the past for the future. Roger Kramer
Lets keep in mind that Roger Kramer purchased this car with his own funds and donated the piece to the museum. Roger stated he had been interested in this car for a long time due to the fact it is complete. Donations can be made to the diesel department in the museum store on this website.
Hello Stanley Thanks for your kind words. Donations can also be made to Irm just by either calling Jan in the Office and requesting your donation be made to the Mt. Harvard sendind in a check mark for the Mt. Harvard Thanks Roger
The reason so much money was spent on this piece of equipment is because one particular individual who took an interest in saving this piece of equipment. Roger Kramer has spent a lot of his own money to make sure that this piece of equipment was saved. Is there other pieces of equipment at the museum that need work? Yes, but he has an interest in this particular passenger car and was willing to put the money to help this car. It needs to be remembered that Roger bought this car privately and then donated the car to the Illinois Railway Museum. Roger was willing to do this because he cared for the Mt Harvard. Let me ask you this. How much have you put towards the restoration of equipment here at IRM? It is easy to criticize how money is being spent, but to really make a difference you should send a check. If any one wants to see some life put back into any piece of equipment, write a check to that piece. Every piece of equipment has its own fund to help restore and preserve that individual piece. Obviously not every one can donate large amounts of money. But even sending a little bit of money can help out. So, if you want to make a difference send a donation to the Illinois Railway Museum.
Hello Philip Thanks for the kind words. Yes I did step up and buy the car. But I am certainly not the only one to do this in Irms history past or present. Lots of people have step up to the "plate" and made a difference. That's why Irm is one of the best rr museums in the USA. Roger
Hello Raphael Thanks for the math update. If you think about it 562 people contributing $25 each is not a insurmountable task. Have you sent in your $25? If you haven't as yet this would be the perfect time to do so. Send your check in or place a call to Jan in the office and she will be glad to take your information over the phone. Thanks Roger
Will the fundraising for this project be added to the donations section on the museum store? If not, what are the recommended avenues to contributing to the restricted fund for the Mt. Harvard?
Hello Nick We hope the project will be added but in the meantime you can send in your donation thru the mail and mark your check for the MT Harvard. Another avenue for donation would be to call the museum number 815 923 4391, press option 2 and speak to Jan in the office. You can give her your information and make your donation using a credit card # Thanks Roger
Your replies miss the point. Mr. Kramer's generous donation to the museum has created a $14,000 deficit to IRM as a whole. The short fall will obviously be covered at the expense of other projects. How can you guarantee that funds donated to a particular diesel will only be used for that project?
There is no question that IRM is a great organization with a large number of dedicated volunteers. Preservation is obviously the key to enjoyment by future generations.
Harold, I must ask you if you are member? Do you know the museum's internal finances? You just presume that so called fact. Don't worry about other projects being shortchanged. What we need is more people to work on all those projects. Referring to funds being used for any one project, Have your ever heard of an AUDIT, and why it is required? WE are a 501C3 nonprofit, and is regulated by the IRS. We comply to all the Regulations. So.... send in your donation to the MT. Harvard and we Will make sure it gets deposited in to the correct fund. Thanks for your concern. WE have very professional and capable people managing and operating the Illinois Railway Museum. Thanks Roger
Mr. Nicholson,
Is there a particular diesel or other piece of equipment under the care of the internal combustion department (the CNW bilevels, for instance) that you're interested in donating to? Thanks for your interest in helping to preserve our diesel collection!
Jeron G.
Will IRM accept donations from mutual funds? This has some tax considerations that are more attractive than donating from savings. The donation is tax deductible, and the non profit organization receiving the funds will not be taxed on the gains that the donor would have otherwise paid for. I think my fund will set up a new account for non profits, which can be cashed in immediately upon reception if the organization wants to.
Hello Chris Absolutely, Irm will accept donations from mutual funds as well as donations from stocks and bonds. I would strongly suggest you consider funding a project that would benefit much of the organization. An example might beany of the following; adding to storage building fund, steam roundhouse, visitor center, new shop restoration facilities or explanation east of our main line. All inquires should be addressed to our Treasurer. Thanks, Chris, for your interest in our museum Roger