All the news that's fit to e-mail

The latest museum e-newsletter is below. Remember, you can get these sent to your very own inbox if you sign up at the bottom of the museum's home page. That way you don't need to come to our blog to get your IRM news! ...wait a second... on second thought, you don't really need to get your news direct from the museum, now, do you?

New Offerings and Limited-Time Deals There's a lot happening right now at IRM! First off, discount tickets to Happy Holiday Railway are available for the next few days only. Reserve your seat now and save money! We are also offering a never-before-seen opportunity to ride in the cab of your favorite diesel during Diesel Days. Or you can become the engineer yourself during this popular event and operate a full-size diesel locomotive! Space for both of these is very limited so make sure you sign up early. Much more is happening, including new equipment acquisitions and upcoming special events. Featured in this e-newsletter: Happy Holiday Railway tickets available at discounted prices - limited time only Cab Rides and Take the Throttle opportunities during Diesel Days Vintage Transport Extravaganza is August 4th - tickets available online now New diesel locomotive acquired by IRM Steam-powered caboose train scheduled for dates in August and September IRM offered historic Chicago Aurora & Elgin interurban car Electroliner restoration progress report Nighttime operations coming up Labor Day Weekend Cosmetic restoration work proceeding on Southern Pacific 975 We need volunteers and you can help! You can now take public transportation to IRM

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Happy Holiday Railway sale Tickets for our popular Happy Holiday Railway event in November and December are on sale now for a limited time! Get $2-off your ticket if you purchase during the next few days. Additional dates have been added for 2019, with trains running starting November 23rd. Last year ALL of our trains for this event sold out so don't delay! Click here for info and tickets

Unique Diesel Days Opportunities This year we are offering something new for Diesel Days on August 9th-11th: cab rides and "Take the Throttle" opportunities where you can be the engineer! There's no better place to truly experience your favorite historic diesel than from the cab of the engine. Spaces are extremely limited so sign up today. For a complete list of what locomotives will be operating and when, along with online tickets for cab rides, click here: Diesel Days tickets and information

Vintage Transport Extravaganza One of the biggest antique vehicle shows in the Midwest is coming up this weekend, on Sunday, August 4th! See hundreds of antique cars, trucks, buses, and military vehicles alongside the museum's trains. Ride the steam coach train, the Nebraska Zephyr, and more. Plan to stay the day - there is a LOT to see at this event! Tickets and antique vehicle registration here

New U28B Diesel Acquired On July 25th a new locomotive arrived at IRM: a General Electric U28B diesel built in 1967. This engine, TTI 260, was originally built as Chicago Burlington & Quincy 114 and the museum plans to eventually restore it to that appearance. CSX Transportation generously donated this historic engine, which is the only preserved example of its type in the world. Click for more info on this acquisition

Steam Caboose Trains in 2019 Our Steam Team has officially put Shay 5, our geared steam engine, into service for the first time since 1999 and its debut pulling the caboose train Memorial Day Weekend was a great success. The Shay will pull the caboose train on August 24th, 25th, and 31st; and September 1st, 2nd, 14th, and 15th this year. Make sure you join us and see this unique engine - nicknamed the "Sewing Machine" - in action! Calendar and schedule information

IRM offered CA&E interurban car We have been offered the opportunity to purchase a complete Chicago Aurora & Elgin interurban car from another museum. Car 453 was built in 1946 and its acquisition would allow the museum to field a five-car train of CA&E cars, a sight not seen since 1957! The acquisition of this car is dependent on raising $25,000 to purchase and move it, so your help is needed. Click for info and to donate

Electroliner Update Progress is continuing to be made, albeit mostly behind the scenes, on the famous North Shore "Electroliner." In June the train set's five rebuilt trucks (pictured) were delivered and materials needed to reassemble the train are now being sourced. The interior work on the end car is also proceeding, with the ceiling now back in place on the car. Stay tuned for more news! Click here to donate

Night Trains Labor Day Weekend The most immersive event IRM runs is our Labor Day Weekend event, when on that Saturday and Sunday trains run until 9:30pm. If you've never seen a steam train at twilight, or ridden an electric train with kerosene lanterns on it at night, you're in for a real treat. Join us for this unforgettable step back into the past. And don't forget your camera! Click for event information

Repainting of SP 975 One of the rarer steam engines preserved at IRM is Southern Pacific (Texas & New Orleans) 975, a 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" type built in 1918 during World War I. One of only six U.S. 2-10-2s preserved, 975 is currently undergoing cosmetic restoration which will see it in a fresh coat of paint and with some missing components reinstalled. Make sure to take a look during your next visit!

Volunteers Needed! Do you love trains? Do you have some free time, whether it's weekly or just a few times a year? Are you an IRM member? If you answered "yes" then you are an ideal candidate to be an IRM volunteer! We need people to help restore and maintain the trains. It's a fun, interesting, and rewarding way to spend your time. No experience is necessary - we will "train" you! Contact us to ask about volunteering

Take public transit to IRM in 2019 Starting in 2019, the museum is 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