Hot off the presses

Ack! What's that diesel doing here on our nice traction blog?!? Well, it's the latest edition of the IRM e-mail newsletter, of course. Remember, you can receive these in your very own inbox simply by signing up at the bottom of the museum home page at www.irm.org

Schedule for 2019 now online The museum has announced its schedule for 2019 and you can check it out on our website here. We are expanding some of our most popular events from last year, like the Bunny Trolley Hop in April, and adding other brand new events like the Fire Department Muster in September. Other popular events like Day Out With Thomas are returning too. You can see the entire 2019 calendar here. Even in the dead of winter, there's plenty of other news too! Featured in this e-newsletter: The Bunny Trolley Hop is April 13th and 20th - tickets are now on sale Alco "Century" diesel locomotive arrives at IRM Get 50% off admission on May 4th, Illinois Day You can help save the last "Buffeteria" dining car Steam Department Benefit Concert is June 23rd You will now be able to take public transportation to IRM Progress update on the North Shore "Electroliner" Museum Entrance Building planning and fundraising

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Bunny Trolley Hop tickets on sale One of our new events last year was the Bunny Trolley Hop and it was so successful that we are expanding it for 2019! There will be more to see, more to do, and a longer ride than last year. We will also be running the event two days instead of one. Tickets for both dates, April 13th and 20th, are now for sale on our website. Make sure to get yours today; last year the event sold out weeks in advance! Bring the family to visit the Easter Bunny at IRM this year. Click here for tickets and more information

TP&W 800 arrives home Last year IRM purchased its first Alco-built "Century" diesel locomotive, Toledo Peoria & Western 800 (later Morristown & Erie 18). The engine arrived at IRM on January 22nd and will see service this year but the work isn't done - we still need to pay for its purchase and repainting in TP&W colors. Click here to see how you can help

Illinois Day 2019 Why not celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike with us? On Saturday, May 4th, Illinois residents are admitted for 50% off with valid state ID. If you're used to the crowds at some of our mid-summer events, try a visit during the spring when the pace is a little easier and the museum is a bit less busy! Click here for more information

Help save the "Buffeteria" IRM has the opportunity to save the last Milwaukee Road "Buffeteria," a dining car rebuilt in the 1960s for buffet-style serving. This historic piece of equipment is in very good and original condition but funds are needed to move it to Union where it can be restored and operated. Click here for more information

Steam Dept. Benefit is June 23 Our annual benefit concert to raise funds for the Steam Department will be held at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington on June 23rd. This is a great opportunity to hear the mighty Wurlitzer organ in concert and tour this unique collection of artifacts. Click here for tickets and information

Take public transit to IRM in 2019 Starting in 2019, the museum will be accessible via public transportation for the first time in many years. MCRide, the county's dial-a-ride service, will be offering trips from the Metra stop in Woodstock. Arrangements must be made by phone in advance. Click here for more information

Electroliner Progress Update The major project to get the famous North Shore "Electroliner" running again is progressing. Work on the trucks and motors is done; now the focus is on the articulation joints between the cars. New bearings are being made for these joints, after which the train set can be reassembled and placed on its trucks. Click to help with Electric Car restoration

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.