The push is on to build the next car barn, and the main way this is done is sell barn space, sold by the foot. Most of the space in Barn 14 has already been sold, and the rest is being distributed quickly. Once the entire barn has been allocated, construction can begin. But by that time it will be too late to buy more space, and if you have something you want to go inside, you will just have to wait until the next barn. Whenever that might be.
Barn space can be purchased by restricted funds for specific pieces of equipment, or by departments. When a department purchases barn space, the department head decides which pieces of equipment to move inside, usually by consulting the members of his department, of course. That's why we're urging you to contribute to the Electric Car fund RISWEC. It allows the department the flexibility to do what is in the overall best interests of the collection.
At current rates, it may only be a few months before all of the available barn space has been allocated, and the window of opportunity will close. That's why we need your contributions now. Be sure to specify the Electric Car fund RISWEC. Current charges are $215 per foot, so think in terms of feet if you can. But amounts of any size are welcome. You can mail your check to:
Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL 60180
or pay online through the Museum store at this link.
As an example, here's one of the cars for which I'm the Project Manager: CA&E 321. It was bought by the Museum in 1962 and was stored inside starting with the construction of Barn 2 in 1976. So when the current system of track space and barn space charges was instituted, it was "grandfathered" in. In 2009, it had to be tarped and stored outside to make room for the Trolleyville collection, along with several other cars. It's still under a tarp, as I mention every so often. Your donations will make it possible to bring cars like this back inside so it can once more be on public display. Thanks! 