Monticello Railway Museum-Railroad Days September 19th-20th

[illinoiscentral]

Updated, September 6th 2009, please read.
Hello Again Friends,
Monticello Railway Museum will be hosting the "Railroad Days" event September 19th-20th.
We will have a food tent that will serve Cheesburgers, Hot Dogs, Polish, Lemon Shakeups, etc.

This year we will be having a few very special guests,
4-4-0 Replica, "Leviathan" on it's second public appearance.
We will be having cab tours of this locomotive.

Two Norfolk Southern Executive F units on hand also.

Trains will depart between 11:00am and 4pm both days.
It is still a little unclear as to what engine will be on what train, but here is a sample from last year;
Here is a list of the trains,
Passenger Train...Nelson's Crossing to Monticello, Canadian National FPA-4 and Air Conditioned Illinois Central train including a business car.
Freight Train...Nelson's Crossing to County Road, Wabash F7 1189 or Illinois Central GP11 8733 and freight train including Rock Island open window coach.

Motorcar Rides...Nelson's Crossing to White Heath, several motorcars.

This will be the first time we have ever charged a gate fee, there will be a gate fee which is good all day.
This fee includes all train rides, all day, plus the cab tour of "Leviathan".

Visit the museums website for more details, www.mrym.org

I hope to see you there!
Look for the Carl Edwards hat...

Woody

 

[JRT]

Looks fun.....

JRT

 

[bryinmich]

Looks like a great time Woody! Sorry I won't be able to make it, my vacation time and plans are all booked up for the year. I just was at Train Festival 2009 in Owosso, MI this weekend. And in October I'll be taking the Pere Marquette and Empire Builder to St. Paul, MN.

But have fun and I hope you guys have a great turnout!!!

 

[illinoiscentral]

Thanks JRT and Bryan!

This is one of our premium events, we use alot of fuel on this one, so a good turn out is a must.
Wabash 1189 itself uses around 5 gallons an hour idling, 8 running.
We run at about 10-15mph for it's train that heads toward White Heath.

Canadian National #6789 is down for maintenance, due to the fact that it's turbo-charger blew up on it's way back from Decatur last year.
6789 usually pulls our Illinois Central passenger train to Monticello, it should be fixed by Railroad Days.
In the future Illinois Central E-8A will pull that train.
The passenger train will feature two IC coaches, and an IC business car.
In the future, this train will probably have Panama Limited observation "Gulfport" on the end.
If you visit MRM one of the weekends that I am there, I'll be happy to show you any one piece of our equipment.
I'll be there the weekend after this one.
Look for the red Carl Edwards #99 Office Depot hat!


Woody

 

[illinoiscentral]

Here is a video of the museum,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VihZsyJvriQ
That will give you guys a taste of the museum.
I think SR6900 will be pleased with the 401 scenes.
Here is a "moving" video of the #1189, yes I was there that day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLhzS3UlBdc
Here is 1189 approaching Camp Creek, notice the horn blowing over the access road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4ROI6olnuA
Crossing Cemetery Road aboard Illinois Central #892 (before restoration) behind Canadian National FPA-4 #6789, before accident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp1w2eSllys

 

[danny5]

Got a small map of where this is ? I am going to try to come from Va long way.
Danny5

 

[illinoiscentral]

Danny,
I recommend using Mapquest, however I can give you directions if you can PM me where you intend to start at in Virgina.
The best way to go is to plan a trip to Champaign Illinois (Interstates 74 and 57) then take I-72 from Champaign to Monticello Illinois.
Exit 166 Market Street in Monticello, you'll see the museum from the Interstate.
Oh and one ticket is good all day, so you can ride the Motorcars, Passenger Train, Freight train, etc. All on one pass.
We will have a food tent too, and let me tell you, they have some good stuff in there...I once ate 5 burgers in one day!
PM me and I will get you full directions.

Thank You for your interest,
Woody

 

[illinoiscentral]

Pictures!

Here are some picture...just to show you what you can expect.

The pictures of #8733 are old, from before it was running again.
The sleeper behind 8733 has been restored since then too.

Cheers,
Woody

 

[illinoiscentral]

I've posted a few updates if anyone is interested.

A quick note:
Crowds will be fairly large, be somewhat prepared for heavy traffic in and out of the museum site.
If anyone needs directions, please don't hesitate to Private Message me.
I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

I look forward to seeing you there!


Woody

 

[illinoiscentral]

Hello Everyone,
This event was a huge success!

The Leviathan was a big draw, people from Chicago all the way to Canada were there for the appearance.

Norfolk Southern's F9A and B were also a big hit, the photographers got some great pictures of it 4207 and Wabash 1189 together!
Unfortantly, CN 6789 did not run this event, our IC GP11 pulled the passenger.
1189 took the freight and MILW 1649 took to the caboose hop.

In other news with the museum, we are getting an SD40-2!
Illinois Central #6071, formerly Gulf, Mobile and Ohio #950, of which it will be restored to.
The unit is currently in Centralia being inspected after having work done on it's traction motors.
Yes, she is operational and should be at MRM by next week or so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldvtlJgaAE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-sSecSPCF4&feature=related

Thanks to everybody who helped made this event possible!
I'd like to thank
Norfolk Southern Railway,
Canadian National / Illinois Central Railroad
WCIA 3 Champaign/Urbana station
WICD Channel 17
The News Gazette.
And all the customers and railfans!

Woody:wave:

 

[UP5521]

I hope the 401 is up and running again!

 

[illinoiscentral]

It will be soon, should be running by late this fall, early spring '10.
The tender has been completely painted, and the wheels on the locomotive have also been painted. The whistle has been applied too.

 

[UP5521]

that is good to hear!

 

[UP5521]

Oh Illinois Central I have a question for you because I found a website concerning steam locomotives in general because I thought about restoring one myself and operating it myself and I need to know how long it takes before the job is done?

 

[UP5521]

Hello Everyone,
This event was a huge success!

The Leviathan was a big draw, people from Chicago all the way to Canada were there for the appearance.

Norfolk Southern's F9A and B were also a big hit, the photographers got some great pictures of it 4207 and Wabash 1189 together!
Unfortantly, CN 6789 did not run this event, our IC GP11 pulled the passenger.
1189 took the freight and MILW 1649 took to the caboose hop.

In other news with the museum, we are getting an SD40-2!
Illinois Central #6071, formerly Gulf, Mobile and Ohio #950, of which it will be restored to.
The unit is currently in Centralia being inspected after having work done on it's traction motors.
Yes, she is operational and should be at MRM by next week or so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldvtlJgaAE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-sSecSPCF4&feature=related

Thanks to everybody who helped made this event possible!
I'd like to thank
Norfolk Southern Railway,
Canadian National / Illinois Central Railroad
WCIA 3 Champaign/Urbana station
WICD Channel 17
The News Gazette.
And all the customers and railfans!

Woody:wave:

I saw your video and I have to say that 4-4-0 looks and sounds good but that is one loud whistle she has!

 

[illinoiscentral]

You are considering buying a real steam engine?

Well, it takes time, lots of time, lots of effort and a whole lot of faith in your project.
Many engines are not restorable due to a lack of parts.
401's boiler was replaced with a brand new one at a cost of $100,000.
It also requires people who have previous experience with steam engines too.
MRM has people on staff who used to run our locomotives back when we were an all steam railroad.
A single person can not do it on their own, it is nearly impossible.
You also have to have a community who supports your project and cause, MRM is very thankful to everyone who has dropped a dollar or two in the bucket over the years, you'll need donations.
All this and more on top of even finding one to restore.

But in any case I'm glad you are interested in restoration, if you can't do it yourself, find a local railroad museum!
Museums are a great way to get experience and knowledge about America's Railroad System and history, you'll meet alot of great people too.
My best ad vice for you is to find some people at a museum and ask questions, do some research too.
I'm happy to see that you are truly interested in this hobby, don't ever let anyone take that from you!

Cheers,
Woody

 

[UP5521]

I'll start looking at the diagrams so I can understand the parts and what they do and maybe find a locomomotive that can be restorable to working order and yes donations will be accepted that will go to the locomotive's operation when it is time of course parts are hard to come by but should I find a 2-8-2 mikado or a smaller steam engine that is standard gauge? and thanks!

 

[illinoiscentral]

Realistically, You'll need to organize a group of people in your area who are dedicated to working on this with you as a team, without a team, it won't work.
Remember the costs involved too, you'll have to buy it, then transport it to your location, then, unless you have a piece of track under your ownership with a connecting railroad, you'll have big money to pay to get it there.
You will have to hire a crane crew to lift it on the truck, then truck it to the location, then hire another crew to take it off the truck and place it where you want it.
It is no cheap thing.
In my opinion, transportation alone will cost between 7,000-35,000 dollars.
Also remember once it is there, you'll need a secure building with rails, if it is not there that will be another 50,000-125,000 dollars assuming you already on the land and the land is completely level.
If not, that's another 3,000-? dollars for land, depending on land size.
Also remember that scavengers and vandals will be very attracted to your locomotive, security is a must.
All this on top of the FRA, Neighbor Hood Associations and whatever else may be involved.

"Money Talks, B.S Walks." Remember that!


Cheers,
Woody

 

[UP5521]

Realistically, You'll need to organize a group of people in your area who are dedicated to working on this with you as a team, without a team, it won't work.
Remember the costs involved too, you'll have to buy it, then transport it to your location, then, unless you have a piece of track under your ownership with a connecting railroad, you'll have big money to pay to get it there.
You will have to hire a crane crew to lift it on the truck, then truck it to the location, then hire another crew to take it off the truck and place it where you want it.
It is no cheap thing.
In my opinion, transportation alone will cost between 7,000-35,000 dollars.
Also remember once it is there, you'll need a secure building with rails, if it is not there that will be another 50,000-125,000 dollars assuming you already on the land and the land is completely level.
If not, that's another 3,000-? dollars for land, depending on land size.
Also remember that scavengers and vandals will be very attracted to your locomotive, security is a must.
All this on top of the FRA, Neighbor Hood Associations and whatever else may be involved.

"Money Talks, B.S Walks." Remember that!


Cheers,
Woody

I understand completely now! thanks for the advice!