I want to be loved by you, but here I am, stuck outside without even a roof to my name. You say you love me, but I get clobbered by the sun, the rain, the snow, and you don't seem to care, you never come to visit me, so what am I to think? Most of my friends get to live indoors like civilized people. But I have my own unique value as an historic artifact, so I'd really appreciate it if you'd consider donating to Barn 14 construction. They say we're almost there!
It's easy. We strongly suggest you donate to
the Indoor Storage funds for the department of your choice: Electric
Car, Freight Car, Passenger Car, Internal Combustion, or Steam. You can send a check to this address:
Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL 60180
or donate online through our secure website at this link.
It would be so nice to feel loved and appreciated once again!
A couple of questions. Has it been determined what will go into the barn versus what remains outdoors? I assume that must be the case.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? Is there some sort of extant list?
Second question: How many pieces of equipment will remain outdoors? I assume the list of what goes inside is determined by condition. Is this so?
I think some better explanations other than we need the barn might make for a stronger impetus to donate. Just a suggestion.
BTW..this might be worthy a second post or an addendum to the existing one. Again not a criticism but a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteBruce: Those are good questions. Bob Kutella addressed this question in a recent woodshop update on the department blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.irm.org/blogs/archives/1403-Wood-Shop-Update-February-13,-2013.html
As a department head, he is much more in the loop for these decisions than I. I'm sure he will see this, and perhaps he can add even more detail. A guest post will be welcome.
Thanks Randall..
ReplyDeleteSimply put, each new Barn Building is funded by a subscription process. That is, a piece of equipment 'pays its way in', based on available funding. It is the exception for a single piece to be so rich in money that it can cover the entire cost from its fund. Thus the funds Randall mentioned, those designated for INDOOR STORAGE for a single department. The department head can then draw those to 'fill up' the required balance for any ONE piece of equipment.
ReplyDeleteSadly this resembles a beauty contest more than the urgent need of a fragile artifact. That is why Randall and I have touted the virtue of housing wood bodied cars in this next building.
His post using a song title brings to mind another title from the past. "ITS NOW OR NEVER".
Bob Kutella
Bob
ReplyDelete...Then what cars have a subscription to be included in the new barn and which do not?
There was a list of cars published on the IRM website -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.irm.org/events/indoorstorage.html
Thanks..
ReplyDeleteThe list that is posted on the IRM website did not include anything from the Electric Car Departmrnt. I would guess that you would like to put at least the 321 and the three THI&E carbodies in the new barn.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have heard a rumor of a new addition to the electric car fleet. Any truth to this rumor.
Artschwartz
The major funding for the new Barn comes from a substantial donation by MRHA, the Milwaukee Road Historical Association. That alone will serve to fill almost half the Barn, and includes Freight Cars, Passenger Cars, and Diesel locomotives, that were all badged MILW. Any list now is premature as the final subscriptions have not been entered. Also the cost of the new structure is based only on an estimate and so is subject to change when the bids are all in. If you have strong feelings about which you might want to see go in, then PLEASE send a donation as you can, for that group of equipment or single car, noting the reporting marks on your check.
ReplyDeleteFinally, we all refer to subscribing for space in BARN 14. In practice this funds the barn and yet the actual physical piece of equipment may not end up in that building due to size, logistics, etc. But IT WILL be under roof in one of the buildings, as the new Building is completed and a massive switch move of equipment will result in some rearrangements.
Bob Kutella
Art: Yes, the Car Dept. has a list of cars it wants inside, but that's subject to change. The 321 will be on it, I'm pretty sure, but beyond that I wouldn't want to say for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the rumor you might have heard, it might be true, we're still working on it. It's up to other people to decide, so we don't want to publicize it yet. I'm sure you understand!
Since this barn is way back there, it sounds like it will get a mix of stuff that is unrestored or hazardous. Will there be consolidation of the more displayable or operational equipment? And is the Milwaukee stuff getting its own section or something?
ReplyDeleteChris: That will have to be decided by the department heads and GM when the time comes. Solving the puzzle of how to maximize our use of barn space is always challenging.
ReplyDeleteTed: The 321 is the only remaining CA&E car outside, and I'm sure it will be in the next barn. As for the THI&E cars, I'm not sure. That depends to some extent on all of you out there in internet land being bombarded with these pledge drive requests!