Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Another thank you to Jim Windmeier for painting the entrance to the 1st Exhibit Car - it is looking great!

Friday was Terror on the Railroad as usual. Michael McCraren, Mark Gellman, Paul Matchette, and Brian LaKemper were there from the Coach Department. Mike Blackwell was conductor, Randy Allegrezza was a trainman, and Joel Ahrendt was the engineer.

RDC 9933 ready to go on the final weekend of Terror - Photo by Michael McCraren

Part of the last Friday night Terror Train crew. From L to R Jim West, Brian LaKemper, Paul Matchett and Mike Blackwell - Photo by Michael McCraren

Paul getting into the spirit of the night - Photo by Michael McCraren

Some of the Terror Train actors in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

On Saturday, Paul M. and Brian L. did some organizing in the uniform closet. Paul also fueled all the generators under the Birmingham in preparation for the last night of Terror on the Railroad.

Brian LaKemper working on the Terror Train - Photo by Warren Newhauser

On Saturday night the usual crew was working the last night of the Terror Train, along with help from Warren Newhauser and Fred, and Jeff Calendine from the Steam Department was also on hand. There was a generator failure but Mark G. came through with a solution to keep the affected car lit.

Mark Gellman, Warren Newhauser and his helper Fred lift a faulty generator from the vestibule for repair - Photo by Pauline Trabert

Stationary Terror Train cars await dark hauntings - Photo by Pauline Trabert

The Screamliner was still on the mainline during the day on Sunday - Photo by Pauline Trabert

On Sunday, Warren N., Chuck Trabert and Brian L. gathered to work on the Milwaukee Road Dynamometer, X-5000. Brian retrieved an air hose that had been jammed behind the X-5000's heating boiler for an unknown length of time. Later he poured anti-freeze into the car's hot-water heating system. Mark G. provided the crew with a possible replacement for one of the car's missing door latches.

Chuck hung the rebuilt boiler motor as Warren wants to check the heating system. Later Chuck hung exterior drip caps on the two side doors of the Dynamometer.

Chuck Trabert fitting a drip cap manufactured by Buzz Morisette for the X-5000 - Photo by Pauline Trabert

Brian LaKemper pouring antifreeze into the Dyno hot-water heating system - Photo by Pauline Trabert

The Birmingham and Silver Cars were still sitting on the station track but coach volunteers in attendance gathered there for lunch. Guests included Kevin Brown and Nick Kallas.

Kevin Brown enjoys a laugh at Sunday lunch in the Birmingham - Photo by Michael McCraren

Pauline Trabert joined the crew for Sunday lunch - Photo by Michael McCraren

Mark Gellman taking a short break - Photo by Michael McCraren

Nick Kallas joined Jon Habegger for Sunday lunch in the Birmingham - Photo by Micahel McCraren

At 5:50 PM on the way out, a hot air balloon was seen heading toward the Steam Barn. You never know what you are going to see at IRM and this was pretty interesting.

Near sundown a hot air balloon passed overhead - Photo by Pauline Trabert

The baloon was going to land in the IRM parking area - Photo by Pauline Trabert

The chase crew was already there - Photo by Pauline Trabert

Nearly 6PM as the balloon deflates - Photo by Pauline Trabert

Sunday night found Jim West and Brian L. returning the Silver Cars train back to Yard 5 in a four-hour switch move. Many thanks to Jim West for staying late to help get the cars put away.