Illinois Railway Museum Status Updates & Showcase Weekend

I used to ride on the Electroliner when it was on the P&W (Pig & Whistle) near Philadelphia. Nice Train.

John

I was there last Tuesday and they were CLOSED! All the way from Denver. That was a bummer.

Jim,

Thanks for posting this.  I did not know they were planning on making the Electroliner operational.  That is a must see/do for me.  I loved seeing it when I was there.

The last time I was there, there was nothing operating because of the flooding in the area but there was a gal working there who let me tour the place, anyway.

@Chuck Sartor posted:

I was there last Tuesday and they were CLOSED! All the way from Denver. That was a bummer.

Did you happen to check their website, about what days they are open, after September 2? Such information would have been very helpful.

No, didn't think of that. I guess I thought (wrong) that a museum of that size would be open during the week.

Was there Sunday afternoon.

@MainLine Steam

Thanks for the update & photos !!!

CB&Q Bill

Chuck as stated I will try to answer questions.  Let me explain the schedule.

Being the largest RR Museum in the US, and around for 69 years the IRM has found what does and doesn't work.  They continue to expand both in size and scope through a lot of hard work and thoughtful planning and donations.

Because of the availability of volunteers, climate and way the museum is set-up the schedule makes a lot of sense.  If you were not able to get in you really couldn't see the museum.  Please reference the IRM.org website and wikipedia.  Look at the aerial view.

The Focus of the IRM is to preserve and OPERATE the equipment, "A Museum in Motion".  Until recently they had virtually no exhibits in buildings.  Most people are not interested in touring the museum from Nov thru Mid April since you are NOT in heated spaces.  Walking thru and looking at the equipment is OK but to really experience it you need to see it operating and ride it.  I am also a car guy, and the majority of guys with classic cars like to drive them, NOT just trailer them from show to show!

Also "driving trains around" is NOT cheap.  Therefore the schedule's FOCUS is to run trains when paying customers are there to cover the expense.  BTW the admission fees are VERY reasonable in this day and age.  Donation always welcome!

So hope that helps.  My recommendation to ALL is to look at the schedule to decide when you should try to attend.  I practice what I preach.  I went back to Wisconsin to Visit family and friends, and so was staying 2 hours from the Museum this Weekend rather than 15 hours away where I live.  As mentioned this Weekend was the one where the majority of active members attend.

@MainLine Steam posted:

I attended the IRM Showcase Weekend on Saturday.  As usual it was spectacular if you like Real Trains, as much as Toy Trains.  On Saturday they have a night operating session.  Not sure how late they operated, some members had mentioned 11PM, I left at 9:45 because I had a 2 hour+ drive.  BTW this use to be called Members Weekend, and is the event of year where the majority of members get together.

You can read more about it by going to IRM.org website.

I am including a couple of pictures of me standing next to a couple of the Jewels of their collection.  Also posting a video in the album linked to the blue bar above.  Quality is poor but you get to see the first departure of the evening operating session.  Although I have a major affection for MainLine Steam, these Trains are "Way Kool".

I renewed my membership and got to re-connect with some members.  So now the Updates.

There was a post a while back about a Possible Mainline excursion for the Nebraska Zephyr.  I talked to "the guy" that would know.  As I mentioned don't hold your breathe.  My comments along with some of the other ones were accurate.  Mentioned to "the guy", my suggestion if you want to ride in Streamliner Luxury in the Midwest, search out an excursion for the Milw Skytop lounge owned by the friends of 261.  He "lit-up" and told me of an opportunity he had to ride it with just a few other guys.  The volunteers that make the commit, like him, get to do some really neat stuff, as they should.

Also got the low-down on the Electroliner.  Operationally ready to go EXCEPT for the A/C.  This is a must for it to be bearable to operate "in service".   Also some Minor Exterior cosmetic work and a fair amount of interior work to complete.

If anyone has questions I will try to answer them.

Saw the Electroliner once when I was a kid pulling out of the Northshore station , heading to Chicago

I was there a couple Sundays ago with the gf and it was a fun day.  Took 3 train rides, one behind the Shay, which was a honey, and the displays were great.  That Electroliner train is stunning, it would really be something to see it in action and take a ride in one of those cars.  Only thing I missed out on was seeing that CB&Q consist in your pic and the CN&W equipment, which I was interested in being that my grandpa worked for them and the trains ran by my neighborhood daily growing up in Arlington Hts., Il., the bilevel commuter trains etched in my memory.  The CN&W stuff must have been on the southwest area of the grounds and I should have made the gf take one last hike over there, but in a moment of weakness I decided to call it a day at 4 pm and go grab a bite in town, which I don't really regret because I do love a good old fashioned open faced steak sandwich on white toast with fries, super good and a cool small town place with a nice vibe.  More than a tad tastier than the hotdog I had at the museum, the bag of Fritos notwithstanding.  For $16 a piece that was a great day, we enjoyed ourselves, I might be back sooner than later.

Great job guys, Keep going!       W1

I have been a member for decades, although I have only been out there a couple times this year. I live about an hour away.

I was last there on Labor Day, specifically to see the model railway displays, which are new. The O Gauge and HO Gauge displays were running, and the N Gauge displays were not. I hope that they eventually can keep these displays open year round, which would provide them additional cash flow, even during the winter months. 

The Chicagoland LGB club was set up next to the depot, with numerous trains running.

I also got to see some of the new stuff, like the Iowa Pacific E Unit. The Shay was pulling the caboose train.

I hope to get out there at least once more this season.