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A Visit to the Illinois Railway Museum

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Posted by dbaker48 on Thursday, September 12, 2013 11:21 AM

Doug & Bob,yinteresting as

I wasn't sure but thought it would run on oil.  Sure is one great looking engine.  When I went there the very first time, I too thought they had a lot of equipment just setting there rusting away.  But, when you think of  the fact they are non profit, they have done pretty darn well with the resources they have available.  And, they are saving the other from the welders torch!  Future restoration projects.

Bob, my apologies, I didn't see  the word "oil" in your reply Blindfold, the link was very interesting as well! Thanks!

Don

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Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 1:17 PM

What did you have for dinner, Buckeye?

Stebby, the interesting thing about the IRM is it started as a traction-only museum in the last days of the Roarin' Elgin and the North Shore. Labor day 

Firelock, thanks for the compliment - that would be my son!

Don, as others have posted, Leviathan runs on some sort of fuel-oil. I took the photo of the tender from the first car door and it's clear except for a tank hatch.  Interesting to see, since the IRM lacks a water column, the Northern Illinois Fire Museum had some of their big pumpers by the tracks to feed Leviathan .

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 7:23 PM

Great photos Doug!!  In 1967 I rode behind an CB&Q E unit to Denver.  Loved ever second of the trip especially the dome car where you could watch antelope scatter from the train.

This weekend we rode the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad through the National Park.  If you are a hiker, biker or rail fan this is a great park. 

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Posted by stebbycentral on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 6:52 PM

I'm glad to see that they appear to be on the way back.  I have been there twice, and the last time I was there about 7 - 8 years ago I was not impressed.  For awhile I think their collection got away from them, that they may have had so many items that it was impossible to properly take care of them.  I saw evidence of rust and decay just about everywhere.  Their display of non-operating steam locomotives particularly was nothing but a line of rusting hulks.

At the same point in time they had so many sheds full of well preserved trollies that I was suspicious that they were on the way to converting the whole operation to a traction museum.

Hopefully they have reduced the number of acquisitions to the point where they can maintain them properly, if not in operating condition, at least in decent condition for display.

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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 6:35 PM

So was my answer, Don--oil. ;-)

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Firelock76 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 5:35 PM

"...riding this train 'out West'.

Well then you'll appreciate this CNW, Lackawanna commuters back in the Fifties used to call those coaches  "Wyatt Earps", since they looked like something out of a western movie!

By the way, who was that handsome young buck in the dining car photo?

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Posted by Dave632 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 4:30 PM

 Nice pictures!

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Posted by LL675 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 3:42 PM

looks like a great day, thanks for sharing.

Dave

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Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 2:47 PM

My question is relative to today.

Don

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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 2:01 PM

Oil:  http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/9486850-418/little-workshop-produces-a-leviathan.html

The prototype burned wood, as the smokestack suggests.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 12:47 PM

Really great pictures!!!  Ben looked like he was really enjoying the day.  (I am sure his Dad is!!!) How is the Levitan fired?

Don

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 11:24 AM

Fife, it was easy to imagine riding this train 'out west' - Leviathan worked hard and had an amazingly loud whistle.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 11:18 AM

Nice day.  Nice pics.

The Leviathan 63 will actually be coming to our neck of the woods this fall to team up with YORK 17 for some reenactments.

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Posted by Ted_Yor on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 10:25 AM

Thanks from California. Really great to see these!!

Ted
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Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 10:02 AM

You can't beat that for a train day. Thanks Doug.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:55 AM

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:55 AM

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:55 AM

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:54 AM

We also rode in some old Lackawanna carriages behind Leviathan. 

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:53 AM

The caboose train was pulled by this Little Joe. Very quietly. 

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:52 AM

We had pork chops, green beans, stuffing, apple sauce with cinnamon, pop and a cookie for dessert. 

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:51 AM

Backing up to board.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:51 AM

Waiting for our meal.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:50 AM

They ran a caboose train too. 

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:42 AM

We ate lunch on the Nebraska Zephyr

  

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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A Visit to the Illinois Railway Museum
Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 8:40 AM

Ben and I went to the IRM on Sat. 

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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