The latest from the PR Department

Happy New Year from IRM! We're looking forward to a great 2018 with new events like the Bunny Trolley Hop and Pumpkin Train as well as returning favorites like Day Out With Thomas™, Showcase Weekend, Diesel Days, Happy Holiday Railway, Vintage Transport Extravaganza, and more. It's also the 100th birthday of our star steam engine, Frisco 1630. Even in the winter there's always something happening at IRM: The 2018 event schedule is now available Two-for-one challenge grant offered for Union Pacific 428 Bunny Trolley Hop marks opening day on March 31st Museum entrance building fundraising commences  Sand Springs 68 made operational again Happy Holiday Railway 2017 sees record attendance Volunteer work continues during the winter Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more 2018 Operating Schedule Electric cars operate Sundays April 8-October 28 and Saturdays May 5-October 27, March 31, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day  10:30am-5:00pm. Also Weekdays May 21-September 14 10am-4pm. Steam or Diesel trains operate Saturdays & Sundays May 5-September 30, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Trolley buses operate Saturdays May 26, June 30, September 1, 15 & 29. SPECIAL EVENTS March 31 - Bunny Trolley Hop May 5 - Illinois Day May 12 - Scout Day May 13 - Mother's Day May 26, 27 & 28 - Memorial Day Weekend June 9 & 10 - Railway Post Office Days June 16 - Chicago Day June 17 - Father's Day June 30 & July 1 - Trolley Weekend July 14-15 & 21-22 - Day Out With Thomas™ August 5 - Vintage Transport Extravaganza August 11 & 12 - Diesel Weekend Sept. 1, 2 & 3 - Labor Day Weekend Sept. 15 & 16 - Museum Showcase Weekend Sept. 29 - Bus Day Oct. 13 - Milwaukee Transit Day Oct. 20 & 21 - Pumpkin Train Nov. 24 & 25, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 - Happy Holiday Railway IRM calendars are mailed free to museum members and and can be found at many Chicago area hobby shops and train shows. Pick yours up today! Challenge Grant for UP 428 A generous donor has offered a one-for-one matching grant up to $5,000 for donations to Union Pacific 2-8-0 428! Every dollar you give to this engine will be doubled and will get it that much closer to operating. This funding should finish driving box repairs to the engine. Call our office at 815-923-4391x2 to donate. Bunny Trolley Hop on March 31st A new event for this year will be the Bunny Trolley Hop on Saturday, March 31st, which will be the museum's first opening day in March in many years. Join us for festive springtime streetcar rides with the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, and more. Watch our website for more information Museum Entrance Building Fundraising has kicked off to build the new Museum Entrance Building. This exciting project will provide not only a permanent public entrance but indoor exhibit areas, a theater, event space, and an entire block of historic building fronts on our Main Street Scene. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Click here for more information. Sand Springs 68 runs Frisco 1630 may be the most famous piece of equipment at IRM turning 100 years old this year but it's not the only one. Sand Springs 68, an historic lightweight interurban originally hailing from Cincinnati, was also built in 1918. Recent completion of motor and truck work means this attractive yellow car is running again. Look for it in operation when you visit this year! Record Holiday Attendance Thank you to everyone who joined us for Happy Holiday Railway in 2017! It was a record-breaking year with attendance up considerably over previous years. The event's success means IRM will have more resources to put towards historic preservation in 2018. Working on the Railroad The museum may be closed to the public during the winter but plenty is going on behind the scenes in our heated workshop buildings. If you've got cabin fever and want to get out and do something, consider helping with restoration work on our historic trains! All IRM members are eligible and no advance training is needed. E-mail us for more information. Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more Copyright © 2018 Illinois Railway Museum, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.