Is the best way to send donations here over donating on site at the museum? (It tried to donate to several projects on my September visit to the museum and only was able to find one donation box? I plan on visiting the museum on all of the big railfan events next year and I want to know whats the best way to Donate money to IRM. Onsite or Online?
Hi Matt,
You have a couple of options. If you're interested in donating to specific projects and you will be on site at the museum, stop in to the museum office across from Yard 5 and speak to Jan at the window just inside the door.
If you wish to donate online in the meantime, there are several projects and pieces of equipment listed by clicking on the 'Donate' button in the upper right hand corner of the IRM home page.
You can donate to a specific department (diesel, steam, etc) by clicking the selection under the department donation page. If you don't see a specific piece listed online that you'd like to donate to, you would have to mail in a donation with the piece listed with the payment, or speak with Jan in person as I previously mentioned.
I hope this information helps Matt, and we look forward to seeing you during the 2016 operating season!
Jeron Glander
Oh you bet I will be, Espically near the Steam Department and Barn 9 is usually were I want to put my most of my money in since at the moment I don't have the time to volunteer at the moment (Plus is there any classes on how to run a Steam Locomotive going to take place now and can anybody sign up if there is one?
Geron, It seems to me that most readers of this blog have no clue as to how how the museum finances projects. To add to your comments, I would point out that each piece of equipment and each department have a Restricted Account and the funds in each Restricted Account can only be spent on that item. If a donation is specified to be applied toward a particular car or locomotive, that is what it must be put towards, in accordance with state and federal regulation. Pretty simple!
This looks like a great project. I had some questions about Burlington Zephyr electric trains, and I'm not sure who might be able to help me with this. Is there someone at the museum who might be able to email me to chat about them? I work at the Chicago History Museum and it's in regard to an upcoming project I'm working on. Thanks
Who might operate or build this model railroad display? Any certain groups? I was wonder if it could be the same group that sets up a display on Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for your time, and keep on Chuggin'!
Is the eventual plan for the model railroad for it to always have the same, museum-owned, trains on it, or will members be able to bring their trains and run them on it?
I would like to follow up on the above comment. If we could start an IRM model RR club that could run the layout during the museum's "off" hours, IRM could generate some additional income. All model RR clubs charge members some sort of fee to help out with rent, utilities, etc.... Example, anyone wanting to run their trains must be a member of IRM, plus pay an additional fee to be a model RR member. Every little bit helps.
There have been 2 buildings proposed for Main Street, the Model Railroad Display & the C&NW Historical Archives. Both groups have some raised money, but neither enough to start construction.
Has anyone considered combining the two?? Would a 2-story building housing both be cheaper to build than the two single-story edifices? This need not necessarily be an equal partnership, I expect the archives would be the larger user, & the model railroad the smaller, but some proportional sharing could be worked out.
Jamie, I had already mentioned this to Harold Krewer. I have a large collection of HO trains I am curently trying to sell on Ebay that has both CNW and RI equipment in it. This was a collection myself and my late father-in-law MAJ David Callarman (retired) had accumulated over the years. This includes trains and structures etc. If the intems don't sell, my wife and I would consider donating them to the museum after the model Railroad building is built. This would be a donation in the memory of Jill's Dad MAJ Callarman. He loved the museum and would visit every year when he visited his sister in Wisconsin. He didn't know I was a former volunteer in the mid 70's. I saw the pictures but didn't see mention of the trains that came with the donated layout. My wife wants to come visit this summer, so if interested I coulld bring the stuff with us and turn it over to te department head at the museum .
I may be interested in those to, do you have a way I could contact you? I am a 15 your old model railroad and have a limited budget, so if you would or could share I would appreciate it.
to Thomas Kaufman;
Did you tell the IRM model RR project leader about your proposed donation?
In November, 2015, that was Henry Vincent, try him first;
" I can be contacted at the museum or by e-mail at havj13@aol.com."
Henry Vincent
Dick, I finally got a hold of Henry. We have had several conversations. I was under the impression there was an actual layout that was saved, but Henry said that wasn't the case. Anyway, I have 6 tubs of HO equipment my wife and I are going to bring up to the Museum later this summer. It will be a donation in the name of Maj David Callarman, US Army retired, for you all to enjoy. He has all the information. I am awaiting to come since I live in Florida until after the Memorial Day weekend when the museum is open daily and we get more bang for a buck, operating equipment wise. I wanted to come when all my old cohorts are there, Nick, Harold, etc, lol, and make the formal donation then.
Thomas, there is a layout, it is stored in Nicks place in Union at the moment. No idea if it'll be used for this display, but there is a layout saved there.
Jamie, donation is in six plastic tubs. There is enough structures, scenic items, etc, for two 4x8 layouts. Three of the locomotives are DCC equipped and the rest are analog. Henry has the list and I sent him pictures as well. If you want to see the list and pictures drop me an email at thomas.kaufman@ ymail.com. As I said, my wife Jill and I are coming north this summer and want to pick a day when all of you I remember from my volunteer days will be there.