The latest museum news

First 2020 Event is Bunny Trolley Hop  Happy Holiday Railway has come to a successful conclusion and that means it's on to our 2020 event schedule! The first event of the new year, and our first open days of 2020, will be Bunny Trolley Hop in April. This event is only three days and has sold out quickly in the past, so make sure you reserve your seat today! The entire 2020 event calendar is now available on the museum website so make your plans now. Featured in this e-newsletter: Bunny Trolley Hop tickets are now available online The 2020 event schedule has been published on irm.org Museum acquires historic Pullman private car Pawnee 2020 memberships and gift cards now available on our website Restored "speeder" returns to plinth behind the depot Roof rebuilding work on IRM's first car, Indiana Railroad 65  Restoration work completed on a very small piece of equipment Historic signs available in IRM's online sign shop We need volunteers and you can help! Planned giving - another way you can support IRM Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more Bunny Trolley Hop This spring, on April 4th, 5th, and 11th, join the Easter Bunny at IRM and help him fill his basket! Hop aboard the streetcar for a trip around the bunny trail, go on an egg hunt, and enjoy kids activities including coloring, a bounce house, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny himself. Tickets are expected to sell out so reserve your seat today! Click here for info and tickets 2020 event schedule now online The 2020 event schedule is now available in the calendar section of www.irm.org. All of your favorite special events are back on the calendar including Day Out With Thomas, Vintage Transport Extravaganza, Diesel Days, Showcase Weekend, and more. Museum acquires Pullman car The newest addition to IRM's collection is the Pullman private car Pawnee. This heavyweight observation car, built in 1930 for Harry Bingham, was one of the last "traditional" private cars ever built. The museum plans to preserve and restore the car as an example of private car design. Click for more information Memberships and gift cards We are now offering 2020 memberships on our website. We are also offering gift cards that can be used towards memberships and items on the property like food or store merchandise. Either makes a great gift for any railfan! Click for membership information Click to purchase an IRM gift card Speeder restoration completed One longtime display familiar to many a museum visitor is the bright yellow track car, or "speeder," on display behind the depot. The speeder was removed in early 2019 for restoration and we are pleased to say that this work was completed by the Buildings & Grounds Department late in the year. The speeder is now back on its plinth behind the depot. Make sure to check out the restoration work when you visit this year! Indiana Railroad 65 roof work A lot of restoration work gets done during the winter by our volunteers. One current project involves Indiana Railroad 65, the museum's very first car. Electric Car Shop volunteers are rebuilding the car's roof, including all new canvas as shown. The work will also include new "lobster trap" protective slats. When work is complete the car will be back in operation. Click to help with electric car restoration Velocipede restored The smallest piece of equipment in our standard gauge collection has been restored by volunteers in our wood shop. The "velocipede" is a diminutive three-wheel inspection car powered by a hand crank and designed to be easily moved on and off the rails by hand. It's now ready for service so keep an eye out for it on your next visit - but don't expect a ride, as it only seats one! IRM's Online Sign Shop If you are looking for something to give that train lover you know, take a look at IRM's online sign shop. We have dozens of unique and historic Chicago and CTA signs for sale. All sales benefit our sign restoration efforts. Click to check out the Online Sign Shop 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 Planned Giving and IRM IRM has been around for more than 60 years due to the consistent support of people like you. You can help keep IRM a museum in motion for the next generation through planned giving, either by including the museum in a bequest or as a retirement account beneficiary. Click here for more information Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more