Sunday July 4th! Happy Birthday America, and we are off to the Illinois Railway Museum, touted as the largest railroad museum in the U.S. I would agree with that statement, as they have the most acerage I've ever seen devoted to the preservation of American railroad equipment, and they probably have the longest right of way on which to run their large toys. If you go to Baltimore, you will find trains and trolleys in their own seperate museums, but here they are combined to good effect. Our group arrived in the parking lot, and we had a brief opportunity to meet another member who seemed to be running at a frantic pace to get from one place to another. Wayne showed up at the campground just as we were leaving, and we didn't really get to say hi until we got to IRM.
Wayne is on the extreme right.
Wayne was unable to go in with us, so this was a moment in passing. Hopefully he will find time to come to another rally and we can get to know him. So with Wayne on his way, we went into the museum.
We rode these two trolleys
The trolleys were running under 600VDC overhead wire, and just happened to be about to leave, so getting on them was the first thing we did. As it would turn out, it was the only thing we did as a group, as the place was too large and interesting for all of us to stay together. Suzi and I pretty much were on our own, as the kids roamed in a pack, and other clusters meandered about.
The conductor comes through and tells about the trolley history.
I mentioned to the motorman that I noticed he had both trolley wire, and catenary as well as various signal types. This imediately indicated to him that I was not the average tourist, and off we went on our conversation as equals.
The operators stool appears to be original equipment and has significant wear from lots of feet rubbing the rungs.
I thought it interesting that they had a Wye switch, instead of a standard turnout. This is not a common practice, and is used on railroads where high speed operation is desired. The Y splits the curvature of the diverging route so as to ease the turnout allowing higher speeds. The Western Maryland Railway made extensive use of these on it's single track route.
John sports last years rally shirt as he photographs his family with the 160.
Of course we are there to see big diesels, so the following example is more in line with our thirst for cubic inches.
A Fairbanks-Morse Baby Trainmaster in Santa Fe paint.
While not a diesel, the rare and unusual GE Gas Turbine was a special treat for those of us not used to western oddities.
Men of the Southern Pacific were quite fond of the "California Cadilac" SD-9's. Their smooth ride made them comfort favorites.
With 12,900 cubic inches from 20 cylinders, this former Wisconsin Central SD-45 lays down 3600 continuous horsepower without complaint. At least, until it's 2 piece crankshaft might decide to give out. That one weakness limited production of the 20 cylinder EMD 645 to this one locomotive type. Reliability issues forced EMD to drop back to more popular 16 cylinder models with a one piece crank.
Riding on an SD-45 frame, but with the extremely common and popular 16 cylinder 645 diesel with it's one piece crank, this former Chicago and Northwestern SD-40-2 is the apex of reliability and performance. EMD sold thousands of these units to all major railroads and they served from the early 70's continuing to today.
The Baldwin DT-6-6-20, possibly the most interesting diesel at IRM and also extremely rare. I don't know how many exist, but this is the first I've ever seen, and may be the only one.
You must be registered for see images
Wayne is on the extreme right.
Wayne was unable to go in with us, so this was a moment in passing. Hopefully he will find time to come to another rally and we can get to know him. So with Wayne on his way, we went into the museum.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
We rode these two trolleys
The trolleys were running under 600VDC overhead wire, and just happened to be about to leave, so getting on them was the first thing we did. As it would turn out, it was the only thing we did as a group, as the place was too large and interesting for all of us to stay together. Suzi and I pretty much were on our own, as the kids roamed in a pack, and other clusters meandered about.
You must be registered for see images
The conductor comes through and tells about the trolley history.
You must be registered for see images
I mentioned to the motorman that I noticed he had both trolley wire, and catenary as well as various signal types. This imediately indicated to him that I was not the average tourist, and off we went on our conversation as equals.
You must be registered for see images
The operators stool appears to be original equipment and has significant wear from lots of feet rubbing the rungs.
You must be registered for see images
I thought it interesting that they had a Wye switch, instead of a standard turnout. This is not a common practice, and is used on railroads where high speed operation is desired. The Y splits the curvature of the diverging route so as to ease the turnout allowing higher speeds. The Western Maryland Railway made extensive use of these on it's single track route.
You must be registered for see images
John sports last years rally shirt as he photographs his family with the 160.
Of course we are there to see big diesels, so the following example is more in line with our thirst for cubic inches.
You must be registered for see images
A Fairbanks-Morse Baby Trainmaster in Santa Fe paint.
You must be registered for see images
While not a diesel, the rare and unusual GE Gas Turbine was a special treat for those of us not used to western oddities.
You must be registered for see images
Men of the Southern Pacific were quite fond of the "California Cadilac" SD-9's. Their smooth ride made them comfort favorites.
You must be registered for see images
With 12,900 cubic inches from 20 cylinders, this former Wisconsin Central SD-45 lays down 3600 continuous horsepower without complaint. At least, until it's 2 piece crankshaft might decide to give out. That one weakness limited production of the 20 cylinder EMD 645 to this one locomotive type. Reliability issues forced EMD to drop back to more popular 16 cylinder models with a one piece crank.
You must be registered for see images
Riding on an SD-45 frame, but with the extremely common and popular 16 cylinder 645 diesel with it's one piece crank, this former Chicago and Northwestern SD-40-2 is the apex of reliability and performance. EMD sold thousands of these units to all major railroads and they served from the early 70's continuing to today.
You must be registered for see images
The Baldwin DT-6-6-20, possibly the most interesting diesel at IRM and also extremely rare. I don't know how many exist, but this is the first I've ever seen, and may be the only one.