I know this would be very costly and almost impossible to do, but would the museum ever consider trying to expand their "mainline" all the way to Huntely? Huntely is just a few miles southeast of the end of the museum mainline. You don't have to do a lot, but you could have at least a platform and a run-around track, and perhaps a stand pipe for the steam engines.
The hardest part of it would be the cost (not to mention the legal transactions). It would require building a bridge over the South Kishwaukee River, and getting the money (and the rights) to lay rails into the outside of Huntely itself. It would be very expensive, but I think it would be worth while in the end.
Matt, We already own the RoW to and just east of Coin Station Road in Huntley. The bridge is the biggest hurdle at this point, and we don't see a need at this time to make the current mainline trip any longer than it is now.
I think there was considerable discussion on this when Metra started talking about extending into Huntley. Apparently one of the Metra station locations being considered is at Coyne Station Road, so arguably, a short walk for museum guests to the end of ROW for the museum. Google Maps says this is about 1.1 miles from the current end of track -- with the bridge a major barrier. If Metra were to build a station (and operate to it at reasonable hours on weekends), the museum could consider operating bus service from the station, perhaps a shuttle to Seeman Road. This would help determine the demand for a rail connection. While it might be interesting to utilize a vintage bus from the museum collection, I suspect that insurance expense and wear and tear would be prohibitive, so a contracted rubber tire trolley would likely be the best alternative. Even better would be convincing Metra to run out to the museum on weekends. With the UP's cooperation, a platform could be built on the UP ROW, with pedestrian access to the museum grounds.
james, I do not think the longer ride is that important; but a bridge will allow the museum to build a turning loop, allowing a much more reilistic ride, no more backing up for five miles in single end card!
Ted Miles. IRM Member for 2016
It takes little time to wye a train and even less to take it around a loop. The real time killer would be slotting the wye move into the streetcar operations, as the East wye forms part of the streetcar loop.