General Blog Entries

I am just adding to what Nigel has said about the Shay.     Here are a few more pictures of the progress.    Most people do not realize how much work it went into getting the Shay to just this point!    This was not only a weekend working session for many of the volunteers but also a week day effort.   I was out working on the passenger coach fleet on  many a weekday and often stopped by to say "hello."    You name it ...on a Monday or Tuesday  etc 3 to 6 guys were reassembling the engine, tighten this bolt or  that  etc.     This was again a team effort!   A Volunteer team effort.   Here is a short incomplete list of guys  who worked on it to get to this point    Brian D,  Brain L, Phil, JD, Christian, Cody, Ben, Jason, Dennis, Jeff and about eight others.   Their names escape me at the moment but without their hard work  it would still be siting in the shop in pieces.   Next time you stop in the shop say "Thanks".    Then drop a donation in the mail to the museum and mark it to the Steam Shop!      O yes,  Jeff ask me to remind everyone of the Steam Department Benefit Concert fundraiser again this year at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills, Illinois.   If you have never been to this unique collection of restored antique artifacts it is well worth the admission price of  $69.99.    You will also enjoy a beautiful pipe organ concert from the talented brother of Jeff.   Yes, Jeff's brother is quite a talented musician.   Tickets can be purchased on line and the doors open at 1PM.  Hope to see you this coming Sunday.      Thanks  Roger 

Here are the latest pictures of the site chosen to unload our 130 foot ex DRGW turntable.   Thanks to Mark Secko and his crew.    It will be quite impressive when it happens. As  I mentioned in the last blog; if you want to see this installed in your lifetime Please send in your donation and mark it for the TURNTABLE FUND!  Thanks  Roger 

The day many of you thought would never, ever dawn at Irm has come.   Yes, rail fans Irm's 130 foot ex DGRW turntable is now on the property.  It was switched onto our railroad about 11:30 this AM by the Belvidere way freight while making its way to West Chicago.   You can be proud that Irm saved this piece of railroad history.   Not every museum can pull this off so quickly within the time line permitted by the UPRR.    A Big thank to The Union Pacific Railroad for making this happen!   Lots of phone calls and hard  work by a number of  members.    Thanks to Dennis, JD,and Phil for working at the location at the  Burham shops in Denver, Colorado and to Nigel, Nick and Tom Schneider for all the behind the scenes advice and encouragement.        Now fans, its up to you whether this artifact of a bygone era gets installed within the next five years or it just sits  around until the paint fads into dull grey and starts rusting.   The membership stepped up with large donations for the Electroliner.    Now lets see if you all can do better and raise $700,000 for the installing of this truly worthy artifact!    Enjoy the pictures.   There will be more when its unloaded.    In the mean time send your contributions in for the TURNTABLE FUND!!        Thanks    Roger