Thanks!

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.

More donations have been received, along with some great essays.  A $25 donor from Ohio writes:

"Time has proven in railway museum world that a barn is the other half to saving any piece of equipment. Unlike Lake Wobegone, where the decades cannot improve the town, decades outside make a piece of railway equipment only a full size pattern of rotted wood and iron oxide. Thousands of rotted out caboose cabins and sheds around the country  prove the need for real cover."

Other recent donors include Charles Kronenwetter and David Cook.

And then our own Bob Kutella says:

"I believe the core collection of IRM equipment is essential to the fabric of IRM.  Some of these cars are wood bodied and fragile, and have been under IRM stewardship for over HALF A CENTURY!  Yet they are largely forgotten in many cases.  Just because a piece of equipment has been acquired by IRM, it cannot be considered SAVED until under a roof.  If we are serious about preservation we should all work to fill up Barn 14 and get another 2000 feet of track filled up and under roof.

"That is the only way to really save this equipment and help assure it will be preserved for the future.  Many are not restored, but if allowed to crumble to dust under the relentless onslaught of mother nature, there will be nothing left to work with for the restorationists of the future.

"I have perhaps a more personal commitment to saving these cars as a Collection Curator, but all should consider helping in any way, as their circumstances permit.  If I had a sudden windfall of disposable income I would surely consider working to start at once on a seond Barn.  It is that impoortant to me.  Put aside any special interests or favorite departments. All equipment now outdoors needs help in getting inside. Even one more car inside is important, whatever your favorites might be or where your interests lie."

And he backs up his words with a $100 donation to the freight car fund RISWFC.  Also, see Ray Bellock's recent comment about checking with your employer about matching funds.  Excellent point!

Thanks, everybody!