Matt Visits the Illinois Railway Museum

[mcjaco]

Those who know me, also know that I know, that you know, that I know, I like trains. If it runs on tracks, I love it.

 

One of my very favoritist places to visit here in the heart of the far west suburbs of Chicago, is the Illinois Railway Museum. It started out as a small group of guys that saved a street car from destruction back in the 50's, they kept it on a piece of private property for about ten years, while amassing a small collection of other equipment. The private property owner eventually had enough, and they were forced to look into purchasing a large parcel of land out in Union, IL. The rest they say is history. Or in this case, a lot of history.

 

IRM has one of the largest collections of train equipment in the country, so without further ado, here we go.

And with that. See ya later!

IRM's pride and joy, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's (a predecessor to the BNSF), E5 the Silver Pilot.

Anyone from the east coast, and that's old enough to remember, has probably seen the famous GG1. Pennsylvania RR's glamorous electric engine.

Keeping them company is one of the world's largest diesels, the DD40. It's the size of two diesels in one!

Most of the steamers sit forelornly, taking a beating from the weather each year.

Like this beauty. Milwaukee Road's 4-8-4 #265. One the most "modern" steam locomotives produced. Check out the Dillinger movie coming out, as it's sister #261 still runs and makes a cameo!

This is one of EMD F series locomotives. These sounded the end of steam engines.

Vintage diesels are all over the place. This is a Union Pacific turbine driven diesel. It's massive.

Chicago also had a cable car system, as did most cities. This is one of the first cars.

Here we see one of the first modern El trains. This one was for the Skokie Swift.

And so were sleeping arrangements!

Hallways were tight.

Passenger train travel was dead sexy back in the day.

Yum, the dining car! The menu had such treats as pickeled prunes! Or an enormous egg, hashbrown and steak breakfast all for $1.35!

Sometimes, they get a little overbearing!

Cars have little note like these from the head crewman on each project.

Each shed is for a certain department. This one is the passenger car project board.

Abra demostrates the glory of the open platform observation car. What a way to travel. Imagine drinking a fine brew while watching the world slip beneath the wheels.

Placed sporadically around the grounds, are vintage signs from railroads. Most of them long gone. Behind the sign is where they house most of the collections. Giant sheds of trainy goodness!

There's also a short circuit around the grounds on a street car. This is a CTA car, before the El was the only train line it offered.

Or in a vintage passenger train, pulled by a not so vintage diesel. The cars date back to 1910. The locomotive, the 1960's.

While visiting you can take as many train rides as you want, on their 9 mile round trip. You can ride on one of their interurbans, seen here.

For Chicagoans, we're all too familiar with those Budd Bi-levels passenger cars.

The starting point is the depot. You may recognize it from such films as, "A League of Their Own" or "Babe" (the one without the pig).

As one little boy on the train ride stated, "This is the life. I LOVE trains!"

[chmilo24]

Nice PTR. I have been to a few train museums but this one seems nice. Unlike the ones I have been to, this one had a lot more antique trains. If I ever go to Chicago, I think I'll have to hit this place up.

 

--Chris

[Cameron]

Fantastic, Matt! I wanted to go there since I moved to Chicago .. next time you go, I'm coming with

 

Cameron.

[DerekRx]

Wow, looks like a neat place with lots of history packed into it. Pretty cool that a small group could actually make a plan for a museum a reality. All this time I thought you could only get as far as asking for money over and over again.

[mr_teisco_delrey]

Some of the old C&NW 4 window Pullman bi-level gallery cars were refurbed and put into service on a new commuter line that runs between Nashville and Lebanon TN.

No telling how many times I rode the Northwestern into downtown Chicago from Park Ridge.

[ebl]

Very nice report, and thanks for sharing your pictures.

 

Fortunately, out here in California, we have a few railroad museums. The Orange Empire Railway Museum out in Perris is a great place to visit, and you can ride on some vintage rolling stock there.

 

Last May, I went to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, and one day would like to visit the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

 

Also, out here in Ventura County, there's the Fillmore & Western Railway that runs between Fillmore and Santa Paula. They're always looking for volunteers, and one day I should just go out there and join.

 

Eric

[mcjaco]

^ Eric, you must go to the California State museum. It's an unbelievable place. Well worth it. And I say that after flying thousands of miles to get there!

[BeemerBoy]

^ Dork.

 

It bears repeating. One rail > two. Cool report, Matt.

[cfc]

There's also Railtown in the Sierra foothills near Jamestown, Calif. (not too far from Sonora). a lot of movies, such as Back to the Future 3, and TV shows, such as Little House on the Prarie and Petticoat Junction, used Railtown's tracks and trains.

[mcjaco]

^ I've been there too!

 

^ Dork.

 

I'm in touch with my true dorky side. And Monorails were my favorite part of WDW trips. One rail is just as sexy as two!

[terrancew_hod]

Very Nice TR.

 

It brought back memories of when my parents sent my brother and I cross country to L.A. on Amtrack. I'm sure it's not the same now as it was back then. Too bad the railroad companies here won't free up the tracks for better passenger railroads like they have in Europe. I think it would us be a more energy efficient nation.

 

Terry

[TheRapidsNerd]

Matt,

I knew you were into trains, but had nooo idea! Was cool to see this one. Kinda tough to see those steamers sitting out in the elements.

 

Will keep an eye out for train stuff for you in future trips.

 

Awesome! Glad you put it up.

[dandaman]

I swear, my ideal cross-country tour would consist of amusement parks, trains, and golf. I get a glimpse of at least two on here, and for that I'm grateful! Thanks, Matt.

[ebl]

"Too bad the railroad companies here won't free up the tracks for better passenger railroads..." (terrancew_hod)

 

Moving freight = making money. Since the freight companies own most of the track, they sideline Amtrak and commuter trains because they don't make any money. It is indeed a shame that in this great country of ours we don't have high speed rail service---especially because we do have some wide open spaces that would accommodate it.

 

But then, the people in Washington DC have some wide open space, too, but in a different place...

 

Eric

[IggyACE]

Matt, ever been out to the Colorado Railway Museum? Very nice place also. Not really into trains as you are but we tend to stop at places like that. Gage really likes them.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20389141@N04/sets/72157607210735733/

 

Craig