Many readers here, and even many of our members may not realize what TRACK SPACE is. When a new acquisition is approved by the Board at IRM, part of that agreement is for supporters of the car to help pay for the track it will sit upon. That is part of the cost to acquire any new piece of equipment.
The sponsor agrees to help raise those funds, often at least in part from his own pocket. New acquisitions often become available on short notice and there is the excitement of getting a NEW car or locomotive. But as time goes on, the blush fades - after all the car is here isn't it?
The reality is that the assessment for track space does not cover the entire cost of the infrastructure, and the museum subsidizes this expense. As I said the car is here, and it is sitting on the track, so what is the problem? The problem is that we account for every foot of occupied track and since it has to be built, it is. But that money might be 'borrowed' from other museum funds on hand and it places us in a SHORT position of available cash to continue operations and to invest in the site.
Here are three such cars in the Freight Department that are UNDER FUNDED, and for which we need donations. All are unique pieces of railway history which have disappeared from normal everyday service, and which are key parts of our collection goal to represent American Railroad History.
This is Milwaukee Road 97155, an airslide covered hopper, the only covered hopper in our collection. In addition to representing a Midwest Fallen Flag road, it represents a design revolution, a milestone in covered hopper technology as developed by General American. Fund R97155
Here is GATX 33519, a six dome tank car. Yes a SIX dome car! In this case it largely transported several different varieties of wine in one carload quantity. Many models of such cars exist, but how many of the real thing? Our collection represents a primary resource of tank car technology spanning several decades of the 20th century, and this demonstrates many design features unique to the tank car saga. Fund R33519
Here is an open hopper, of which similar cars once numbered in the tens of thousands and was an iconic symbol of American freight railroading. The reporting marks in the photo are temporary ones, used to accomplish the move to Union. Are there any UP fans out there willing to help? Fund R37022
The cost is nominal, now at a very reasonable $75 per foot. Can you help us by donating the cost of one foot? More would be welcome, and none are too small to be refused. All donations are considered 'restricted' to the purpose and are deductible to the extent allowed by IRS regulations. Without clearing these expenses, future acquisitions will be handcuffed or limited, and we will not be able to proceed with preservation and restoration of this equipment which is already on hand.
That is the reality of life in a Museum. There are several other pieces of rare and endangered equipment that have been moved to IRM and are in need of your help. How about it?
Comments
Fri, 03-29-2024 21:26
We're slackers and spend more time working on the equipment in the shop than keeping all you readers updated. We'll work on it, but I'm sure updates [...]
Thu, 03-14-2024 08:02
What happened to the Department Blog? It's been over 2 years and I still regularly check for updates, but nothing comes...
Mon, 12-27-2021 16:28
Happy New Year to all the Departments at the Illinois railway Museum! Thanks for all the good work you do in railroad preservation. Ted Miles, [...]
Wed, 10-13-2021 13:33
Was the CB&Q 1309 every transported to IRM?I’ve been reading old issues of Rail&Wire and the car was mentioned several times.
Mon, 06-07-2021 22:40
I was wondering if in the model layout display what scale would you guys be using and would you be displaying model train history as well? Just [...]
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!
Tue, 06-01-2021 16:47
I hope the work will continue on the UP #428. Now that they are the museum's connection to the national railroad network; she would be very [...]
Sat, 04-17-2021 23:07
What is the status of 126, the Milwaukee Buffet car that is in S. Dakota? Any guess on when or if it will get to IRM?
Wed, 04-14-2021 21:09
Perhaps it is time to scrap the remains of the c, B & Q 7128 to make room for the Villa Real. Ted miles, IRM member
Wed, 04-14-2021 15:26
Hi IRM my name is Jason and I was wonder If you guys would be willing to save a CN Dash8-40cm they are currently being retired by CN and being [...]
Fri, 04-09-2021 19:56
Bear in mind that the Nebraska Zephyr is an articulated train set, so cars cannot be inserted at will. Although cars and/or a second engine could be [...]
Wed, 03-31-2021 11:37
I believe Silver Pony is currently on the back burner, and has been put into storage in one of the barns. The car needs a lot of work done to it's [...]