If you haven’t been to the Railway museum you’re missing a real gem of transportation history. Phil informed me that IRM is the largest railway museum in the United States. We got to Ride a 1907 interurban Chicago Rapid Transit train. The doors failed during our ride. It makes me wonder if they used Lucas electrics. We also got to ride the only surviving Chicago Electric Trolley (Car # 3112).

Following the introduction of the highly successful 'Pioneer Zepher' in 1934, the first diesel-powered streamlined train, the CB&Q took delivery of the train and its sister for the highly lucrative and fiercely competitive Chicago-Minneapolis passenger market. The trains were complete articulated units and could not be modified in length, resulting in its demise in 1938. The trains were retired in 1968.

Vic L’Heureux seated in an early worker car.

Jody with the original ‘Big Wheel’.

Sparky, Dean & Tim play on the ‘big-boy toys’.

In addition to riding the trains we got to visit the various “Barns” where they house the trains not in service. I was amazed at how huge the big steam loco-motives are.

Bob and I are glad everyone enjoyed the drive and the museum. And we look forward to doing it again next year. Maybe we’ll work it out to join the IRM’s big car show in August.

~~ Jim & Bob