Illinois Railway Museum Blog

I would like to personally thank all for the generous donations made in the last month or so, year end 2010.  Since I have no opportunity to do that one on one, this will have to suffice.

                  THANK YOU!

There was a lot of support for the Freight Car Department and restricted donations for much of our collection, including these specific cars:

Shippers Car Line

SHPX 42, a three dome tank car, received from Sherwin Williams.

A Butter Dish

BFIX 520, again another tank car, but for milk service.  This is the iconic 'butter dish' style of car, made famous by modelers and toy train manufacturers.

UP 3786

This restored caboose is pictured above on its Dedication Day just prior to the first public trip.  Members of the restoration team are checking things out and getting on board to help.

UP Hopper

This is actually a Union Pacific open hopper obtained from another Museum who were forced to de-accession it.  The current reporting marks were applied as part of the exercise to get it moved to IRM on its own wheels.

Thank you one and all for supporting the restoration work with RESTRICTED donations.  These are the backbone of the funding used to carry on the work.  I am sure all the other department heads share my appreciation for your generosity, but please do not forget us for the next 12 months.  If you are unsure of where to specify your donation, you can denote it for fund RFRTCR and this will be applied as needed to continue work in progress, pay expenses, or help to house freight equipment in the 'next' barn.  It will not be squandered or spent carelessly.  Thanks in advance.