Illinois Railway Museum Blog

It has come to my attention that an anonymous benefactor is offering a grant of $5,000.00 for the restoration of the  Steam Departments UP 428 to operation.  He would like to see this steam engine in operation for the 2019 season.  He told me that this is in effect for one month starting today, December 23, 2017. 

Whether  you are considering a donation to the Steam Dept or another museum project please consider this Challenge Grant.  It is called Challenge UP 428.   If the museum can raise $10,000.00 he believes this will cover much of the machine work on the running gear and wheel bearings.   Step up and help with this project.   With the new tax reforms almost in place it might be to ones advantage to take a larger deduction this year!                                                       Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy NEW YEAR to you all                Thanks     Roger Kramer

Here is a  Christmas  update of the Steam Department from my point of view.  Some major accomplishment have happen in the last three months.    Among those were the first operation of our 90 inch wheel lathe,  the final painting of the Rock Island Pacific 938 and smoke box completion on the shay. 

Another milestone has been reached in the Steam department.  The first  electrical operation of our 90 inch wheel lathe.  To my knowledge only three or four other RR museum have a large wheel such as ours.  This is quite an accomplishment.  We now can begin to plan for the turning of the driving wheels  for the UP 428.  This has long been the one of the roadblocks to restoring the engine to operation.   What's the other you ask?  One Word...  MONEY!! Please consider a donation to the UP 428 fund! This is the next engine to operate at Irm!  With your help we can make it happen.   This was another fall Accomplishment.  The RI 938 sure looks magnificent since the cosmetic restoration.    Yet to be installed are the marker lights.   Phil has told me they are working on the lighting circuit in order to display the  head light and markers.   Now that would look real Kool!  The three 1630 drawbars have been removed so that they can be tested for any cracks that may have developed over the operating season. New this coming 2018 season will be the celebration of the 100 anniversary of the 1630s manufacture date.  Yes, she was built by Baldwin in 1918.  A special party is being planned for the engine.  Special events might include a visit from a mainline fan trip steam engine!   Stay tuned for future announcements!   

 A special Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.    I hope you all are looking forward to the new year as I am.    A number of new and exciting events are planned for the  2018.     If you haven't visited us for awhile please plan a trip to Irm this coming year.    Hope to see you at the museum!         Thanks    Roger

Boy, this last weekend was the busiest to date for the Happy Holiday Railway.    I  was one of  crew  on the Sunday train and it was non stop action from 1pm to 6 45 pm.   Boys and Girls, Moms and Dads  were loading and unloading into the CNW Bi levels that entire time span.    The crews and helpers were constantly in motion.   Whether it was assisting passengers in and out of the coaches, filling hot chocolate into drinking cups or operating the fantastic CNW diesel we kept at it.  We were all quite tired and cold by the time the day had come to an end.    Here all more pictures showing you the various crowds and supporting activities.    And that's the way it is...   This next week will be even busier.   Its going to be a little warmer and its also the last weekend for the event.   It should be fun!      And HO  HO  HO   Thanks Roger