Buildings and Grounds

In early October our turntable bridge was moved and relocated on our core campus.  This is an ex C&NW bridge from Harvard, Illinois.  How long has it been sitting as the center of attention in the Thomas loading area?  Thirty years?  More?

The Lift

Two large cranes (70 ton and 100 ton) were on site as part of the preparations for the location work for an episode of the NBC series, Chicago Fire.  Timber mats were used to save the grassy areas, which were necessary for the later shooting. 

Headed South

With the bridge up in the air, the cranes simply walked away with it, first turning about 90 degrees and then heading south.

Obstacle

When they got to the car line tracks just east of Springfield station, the bridge was set down.  The cranes could not continue as they had been and still fit beneath the trolley wire.  The bridge was set down and the lead crane retracted the boom, and navigated its way over the car line tracks.  The backhoe shown here was kept busy picking up and leapfrogging the timber mats.

The Crossing

The lead crane pulled from the south while the one on the north lifted the bridge to allow it to swing to the south.

Traveling in Style

With the bridge safely moved across the car line tracks, the second crane crossed the line.  Then it was off to the races (figuratively) as they lifted the bridge and walked south to Yard 13, and then east to where the bridge is now stored on cribbing.

PFE 68428

Much of the work at IRM involves moving stuff around and rearranging the equipment for better access or to do a scheduled restoration task.  After all we bill ourselves as a MUSEUM IN MOTION.

Here is a wonderful photo from Phil Stepek who noticed that cars inside Barn 10 were being moved around a bit. It gives a great opportunity to see this in good clear light and to appreciate a fact.  Restoration was done about two DECADES ago. The lettering on this side of the car was done over FIFTEEN years ago and most of that time this car enjoyed indoor storage.  Protection under roof can clearly be seen as THE ONLY WAY TO GO.  It is NEEDED if we are to be serious about preserving railroad history.

Please enjoy this pic of our 1928 Pacific Fruit Express refrigerator car, and consider a donation so we may place additional cars into the next project, BARN 14.  Please donate to fund RISWFC, on line, or mailed to

Illinois Railway Museum

Box427

Union IL 60180

Here are some historic photos of CNW wood bodied cabooses.  Not our car, but similar so you can clearly see the what could be done if we manage to save this in the next barn.

Library of Congress Collection/Jack Delano Photo

Library of Congress Collection/Jack Delano Photo

It is easy to see how magnificent our caboose could be if it were to see a restoration.  But first things first.  We need to get funding to the level where this car could make its subscription price and be assured protection under roof for the future.  Can we make this happen?  Fund R10494

You all probably see many pleas begging for support for the next Barn on this site and on other web sites.  I also support those efforts particularly those to protect our Electric Cars.  Find RISWEC.

In case any of you are wondering and are dyed in the wool passenger car fans, there are efforts to save other cars and place them in the next Barn.  I have not heard much from the Passenger Car Department but in looking at fund balances, the ONE car that is closest to being funded is our rare Canadian National 24 duplex roomette sleeper, the INGRAMPORT.  Fund RINGRA

Illinois Railway Museum

Box 427

Union IL 60180