Hello Raffi I hope to have it listed on the museum store but there are no guarantees. Instead, Please make a donation by calling the office at 815-923-4391 and ask for JAN. She will be able to take all your information. And Thank You. Roger
Hello, Raffi and all.
1. Many of our restricted funds are "available" for online donations in increments of $25.00 from the IRM Online Store. Many others are not, and not everyone wishes to donate in even $25 increments.
2. IRM is more than happy to accept your tax-deductible donation via (good) check or money order for any fund, even if the fund IS "available" at the online store. In the "memo" or "for" field of the check or money order, please identify the fund or piece of equipment, such as "DL&W 556," "CN 15444," etc so our office people credit the donation to the correct fund.
3. As found elsewhere on this site, the mailing address is:
Illinois Railway Museum
7000 Olson Road
PO Box 427
Union, IL 60180
4. The Illinois Railway Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax adviser for details.
Thanks
Brian J. Patterson
In the future will this car be painted back to its original paint scheme or will it be something different? Just curious and congratulations on the newest addition to the collection.
Hello Robert Yes, the car will be painted back to it's original CN paint scheme. I already have the samples from the Monticello Museum. How would you like to help in prepping the car for painting? See us in barn 3 Thanks Roger
Due to my work keeping me away from the Museum and even Illinois in general, I doubt I will be able to come out over a weekend. I am just curious though at what time is the steam generator car going to arrive at union? I just might be back in state to see it before having to leave for work again.
Donations can be mailed to "Illinois Railway Museum, P. O. Box 427, Union, Illinois 60180-0427." Please specify on your donation to direct it to the CN 15444 Fund. Thanks.
When was the last time that this thing operated under steam? Are the FRA regs on something like this at all similar to those governing a steam locomotive? Any estimates as to what work will be needed to make it operational? Does IRM have any coaches with working steam lines and steam heating equipment?
Hello Mr. K We have no info on when it was last used. We might find that out when unit arrives. No idead about the Fra regs. Work needed to be done has not been determined but I believe it will cost $20kand 300 hrs to get it operation. Irm has a 10 coaches that could be used for steam. None in operation. Donations are needed. Thanks Roger
While I am not as well versed in the relevant parts of Title 49 of the CFR, I believe that steam heat boilers fall to state regulations, not the FRA. Same goes for steam powered cranes and steam powered rotary snowplows. They are not locomotives, so the only thing the FRA is concerned about is the car itself: trucks/brakes/couplers. Any cars that have steam heat used will need to be thoroughly inspected and tested before being used; so I would say that at this time, there are no cars with operable steam heat systems; solely because we have not inspected or tested them. A good portion of the fleet have their steam heat equipment intact, but they are not usable without inspection. Roger probably has a better grasp on what it might cost to make the steam generators operational and when they was last made steam.
Hello Brian L You are correct in all points. We need steam to test the cars. The 1630 will be able to provide that function. Testing may even begin this year. We see how it goes. Thanks Roger
Folks,
speaking of new cars. What happened to that C,B & Q heavyweight baggage car that was waiting in Denver?
Did it ever get to Union?
Ted Miles
2015 Irm member
Hello Ted. I am embarrassed to tell you but the "bag" is still not here. We have about 2/3 of the $15K needed to move it. Now w/a new curator things might [I hope] start to happen. If push comes to shove will we just ship it on a truck. Please consider a donation to the project. CBQ 1309. Thanks Roger
When you donate funds, you may specify what they are used for. In this case the funds were donated specifically for this acquisition. If you think the Electroliner needs more funds, please feel free to donate towards it's restoration.
I too would like to see the Electroliner fully restored - and in fact - I'd like to see every car/steam loco, diesel, etc on the back lot operable - but - I think the heater car is a step to making the museum relevant to the community - by giving the museum a potentially longer operating season. Kudos on getting the heater car. Look forward to a ride on a Lackawanna or RI coach in November or December!.
Bob Miller - an associate member.
Folks,
Does not the Milwaukee Road #33C have a steam generator? Could it be less work with that Unit than a whole new project?
I have ridden in steam heated heavy weight cars and they are great on a cold morning!
Ted Miles, IRM Member
Hello Ted I believe the 33C does have a vapor generator. But the term "less work" is erroneous. You have no idea how much effort it would be to get a project like this started. You need money and labor support. Both, we do not have. $50K to $70K would start the project. What really is the benefit! First, the entire E unit needs an overhaul inside and out. The estimate of $750,000 would be a good number. Would you like to start raising the money? Regards Roger
Milwaukee 33C was built with a steam generator, but it was removed when it received HEP modifications while still in service. Though the HEP modifications were removed, a replacement steam generator has not been installed. While IRM has some locomotives that do have steam generators, most of them are not operational; and having a independent car to provide heat allows IRM to use any locomotive to pull a steam-heated train, including electrics and freight locomotives.
has CN15444 steam generator made it to Union? Thinking about this as the weather changes from hot to cold. Was the acquisition successful? any info? Thanks. Bob
Hello Bob Yes Irm has acquired the 15444 but we have not had time or funds to move it. If you would like to help us move please consider a donation to the CN 15444 Thanks Roger
Hello John There is not much news about the 15444. Nobody really wants to travel down to Georgia and ready the car for transport. That's the problem. Thanks for your interest Roger