0 The disappearing railroad car

Where did the end of this interurban car go?  What happened to its siding? its windows?  What's going on here?  Why, long-term outdoor storage, of course!

The car body seen above was acquired just recently by a northeastern museum which is now working valiantly to try and save it.  And they've got their work cut out for them.  But this didn't happen overnight; over time any wooden car stored outdoors, as this one was, will naturally deteriorate.  The only real solution is indoor storage.  And indoor storage is something that many of the historic railway cars at IRM are currently lacking.

But fear not, readers - you can help!  IRM is now raising funding for building a storage barn which will house dozens of historic and irreplaceable cars and will preserve them for the future.  But donations are still badly needed to help get the museum the rest of the way towards building the next barn.

Donations towards the Barn 14 Fund or towards any of the department-specific indoor storage space funds - Electric Car, Freight Car, Internal Combustion, Passenger Car or Steam - may be sent to the Illinois Railway Museum, PO Box 427, Union IL 60180.  Or you can quickly and easily help out by clicking here and donating online.  All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Thank you for your help in preserving our history!

Detail: The disappearing railroad car

0 Slowly Falling Apart

On Monday I walked out to check on the 321 again.  I usually climb a neighboring boxcar to view the top of the tarp, and also go inside.  The tarp still appears to be fine, but this section of ceiling has come loose and part of the molding has fallen to the floor.  This isn't the end of the world, by any means, but it's a symptom of the slow deterioration that takes place even when a car is tarped.  There's trapped moisture and condensation, and the result is not good.  The only long-term solution is building another barn.  And we're getting close, but not close enough.  We still need your help.

It's easy.  We strongly suggest you donate to the Indoor Storage funds for the department of your choice: Electric Car, Freight Car, Passenger Car, Internal Combustion, or Steam.  You can send a check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL   60180

or donate online through our secure website at this link.  It's all tax-deductible, of course.

Any gift you can make will be greatly appreciated!

Detail: Slowly Falling Apart

0 I Want To Be Loved By You

 

I want to be loved by you, but here I am, stuck outside without even a roof to my name.  You say you love me, but I get clobbered by the sun, the rain, the snow, and you don't seem to care, you never come to visit me, so what am I to think?  Most of my friends get to live indoors like civilized people.  But I have my own unique value as an historic artifact, so I'd really appreciate it if you'd consider donating to Barn 14 construction.  They say we're almost there!

It's easy.  We strongly suggest you donate to the Indoor Storage funds for the department of your choice: Electric Car, Freight Car, Passenger Car, Internal Combustion, or Steam.  You can send a check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL   60180

or donate online through our secure website at this link.

It would be so nice to feel loved and appreciated once again!

Detail: I Want To Be Loved By You

0 Differing Styles, Same Goal

There are often different ways of reaching a particular goal.  We on this blog have our own style of asking for money, as you have no doubt noticed.  But it's certainly possible to be much more forceful and direct.  So in contrast, here's what our friend Max Tyms has to say (I'm assuming he won't mind if I repost this in its entirety from the Yahoo list):

HEY VERY RICH PEOPLE!

You probably give lots to charities that "feed the hungry" or "cancer
research" or "help the ....." where most of the money goes in the pockets of
administrators or is spent on raising more money. Do you think those tear
jerking TV/radio ads and billboards are free? The mass mailings are free?

Think about supporting a charity that spends every penny of donated money on
something tangible. Doing some real good! Accomplishing something you can see,
feel and ride!

The Illinois Railway Museum is a charitable educational organization. For 60
years we have been collecting and restoring railroad history and teaching that
history to the interested public. We don't spend money to raise more money.
Over 400 examples of railroad history have been acquired. Most await
restoration. Too many are deteriorating due to lack of indoor storage. Some
will be lost forever if money is not found to preserve them indoors.

In 60 years our volunteers have built a huge multi-building museum on a 100+
acre campus and a 5 mile demonstration railroad. The board of directors,
managers, department heads, curators and most workers are uncompensated
volunteers. They work at IRM in their spare time. Many, myself included (33
years of service), volunteer for decades.

$42,000 is needed to complete substation work
$400,000 for a storage/display building
$3,000,000 for a visitor center
The list goes on......

Consider doing some real good with your money. Support the Illinois Railway
Museum. A 501.C3 educational corporation. Visit us at irm.org

Max Tyms

Detail: Differing Styles, Same Goal

0 Wake-Up Call

Sorry, I must have been dozing off when Bob Kutella came along and poked me in the ribs.

We at IRM are still trying to complete our fundraising goals for Barn 14.  It's getting closer, but your help is still greatly needed.  Remember that 100% of all money received is used for construction, there's no percentage diverted to other uses.  We strongly suggest you donate to the Indoor Storage funds for the department of your choice: Electric Car, Freight Car, Passenger Car, Internal Combustion, or Steam.  As always, you can send a check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL   60180

or donate online through our secure website at this link.

Your donations will be greatly appreciated, I assure you!

Detail: Wake-Up Call

0 The Highest Speed

This neat advertisement was recently e-mailed to us.  It shows CA&E (then AE&C) car 32, identical to our car 36, in an advertisement for Stephenson printed around 1903.  At the time the "Great Third Rail" was brand new and one of its biggest selling points was its speed - the highest then attained under practical operating conditions.

High speed is what's needed today, too: there are only a few days remaining in 2012 for you to send in a donation to help fund Barn 14!  Your donation is fully tax-deductible and will help preserve indefinitely some of the priceless artifacts at IRM, including wooden interurban cars as well as other historic equipment currently sitting outside.  Put Barn 14 on the memo line or, to donate specifically to preserve members of our traction collection, put "RISWEC" on the memo line.  Only with your help can IRM preserve more of our rail history now.  Please consider sending in a donation to IRM at PO Box 427, Union IL 60180 today - and thank you.

Detail: The Highest Speed

0 Over the Cliff

Sorry, folks, it looks like we've fallen over the fiscal cliff.

Not the U.S. government fiscal cliff, but the Hicks Car Works matching funds fiscal cliff, since the limit has been reached.  We certainly want to thank again all who have contributed to the various Barn 14 construction funds.  We're that much closer to the goal!

But don't get the wrong idea.  IRM is still in need of your tax-deductible donations to this important project. Your support is vital and will be greatly appreciated!

Detail: Over the Cliff

0 National Sound Check Day (121212) or the Department Christmas Party

Al writes…

I have to say I guess I'm getting slow in my old age because it took me a while to get that national sound check day idea. But 12 1212 turned out to be a very good day  as it was the annual Wednesday crowd Christmas party. We had more than 40 people participating and once again demonstrated one of the nice aspects volunteering at IRM.

Besides the sense of accomplishment that one achieves in helping to restore a piece of equipment you also get the benefit of fellowship with other volunteers.  For us retirees it's nice to get out of the house and to work with some real people and not have to sit and watch that wasteland that is daytime television.

Even as the food is available some continue to discuss their projects

Discussions on 1024's  progress

I won't spend a lot of time naming the folks that are in the photographs as I'm sure to miss many. I'll just share the photos with you. You easily see how much we enjoy getting together and I'm sure you'll recognize some of the usual suspects . Thanks to everyone involved in both organizing this party as well as those who contributed food, supplies and cash to the cause.








We here at the Hicks car works want to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season. And if you have the ability, please remember IRM and the barn 14 fund in your year-end "dodge the taxman"giving.

Detail: National Sound Check Day (121212) or the Department Christmas Party

0 The End Is Near

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.  Donations are still being received, and we're still matching any contributions to any of the indoor storage funds.  Most of the available money has already been pledged, but you still have a chance to get in on the action!  Remember, the window closes on Dec. 20.  We appreciate all those who have been donating; if you want your name mentioned in public, be sure to let us know.

 On Thursday both Al Reinschmidt  and I were out at the Museum, working on the 36.  Al spent most of the day in the shop, sanding down windows.  First, he completed the time-consuming task of sanding down both sides of the end window that had been there for a while, after we had filled a rotted-out portion with epoxy.  I later put a first coat of white primer on the exterior.

And here he is starting on another side window, one of 28.  This task is repetitive, to be sure, but needs to be done. 

 And meanwhile, I finished stripping and sanding on four more sectors of the windows and trim on the car, and painted them with first primer. 

At some point soon it will be too cold to continue doing much on the outside of the 36, and I will switch over to finish repainting the main compartment of the 319.  But we certainly plan to have the 36 entirely repainted and lettered in time for next year's Trolleypalooza.

Detail: The End Is Near

0 Going, going, almost gone or car 36 where are you?

Al writes…

Been having nightmares about a large slab of green wood. This led me to venture out to the museum yesterday to remove that last expanse of green paint on the side of 36. I was able to complete removal of the green below the belt rail by the end of the day. And as Randy often says it's a day of scraping, sanding and painting.

With this progress we are coming close to removing all vestiges of the car's "Cleveland" identity. Somehow I couldn't resist the urge to leave the painted number on the side of the car to the very last. I felt like there should be a little ceremony as I removed that last "Cleveland" identity item. So I held a little ceremony with the barn cats( oh wait there are no barn cats in barn eight ) as that identity was removed. I believe that was the last vestige of Columbia Park and Southwestern identity remaining.After sanding I was able to get a coat of primer on the car,

Speaking of residents of barn 8, 4412 has joined the group and is shown here wearing its new hat.  Tim Peters did meet his Thanksgiving deadline.

As always there was a lot of activity in barn 4 and the wood shop on a Wednesday. Spent a little time observing the manufacture of new windows. Bob Katella does a good job covering those activities in his blog so I won't repeat them here.

One activity that was unique was continued attention to stringing trolley wire over the connection just east of the barns.

This blog entry is brought to you by the Shameless Prodding Division of Hicks Car Works. Please remember to consider a donation to the Barn 14 fund. And remember the matching contribution program offered by the Hicks car works.

Detail: Going, going, almost gone or car 36 where are you?

0 Matching Grants

We've been reminded that if you have a job, you should check with your employer about charitable matching grants.  They can make a big difference, usually doubling the amount you contribute to a tax-exempt organization such as IRM.  And they've got deeper pockets.  (Unfortunately, I myself happen to work for a university that is usually asking me to contribute to them.  Fat chance!)  Your employer may have such a program they don't choose to advertise very much, so check with the appropriate HR people if you can.  Thanks!

We've received word of donations to indoor storage from several more individuals.  If you'd like to see your name in print, let us know.  A donor to the Electric Car fund writes:

"My background is in History, although I really don't directly use my degrees to make a living. I'm a big fan of museums and IRM is my kind of museum. I've been a railfan (not a foamer) for as long as I can remember, digesting back issues of Trains and Model Railroader as a kid and still lamenting the passing of the original Passenger Train Journal. Union is a bit of a hike for me, so I visit a couple times a year and have recently started to maintain a membership and annual contributions. Why? Well partially because my family history includes ancestors who worked for the CNW in Boone, IA and the Rock Island in Blue Island, IL. I also had a grandfather who was a bus driver for Chicago Motor coach during the Depression. Partially because I think preserving history is important. And partially because I want to support the many volunteers who I see toiling to restore and protect the IRM collection. The IRM blog and your blog are key to getting the word out that IRM is serious about restoring and maintaining its Museum in Motion. I wish that I could do more, but welding isn't in my blood and I'm too big and creaky to reach the tight spots. Computers and writing are what I do, so perhaps I'll find a way to contribute there at some point.

"Best wishes and thanks for all that you do."

Again, we are of course very grateful for the efforts of all our IRM contributors. 

Detail: Matching Grants

0 Money, Money, Money

You've probably known people who are obsessed with money.  Money seems to be the only thing they can talk about.  Well, I guess I'm now one of them.  So if you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.

Donations continue to come in.  For instance, Tom and Sharon Sharratt have donated $100 for coach storage. I think I'm keeping up with the correspondence, but let me know if you haven't gotten an acknowledgement.

And the brass hats have been heard from.  Jamie Kolanowski and Nick Kallas have recently made substantial donations to the Diesel Department indoor storage fund - thanks!  And then Jeron has threatened to send in even more.  So I guess I'm buying myself several hundred dollars' worth of good will from the Diesel Department.  I just hope they remember who I am.  I'll need plenty of expert advice and assistance when the time comes to install a Diesel generator in the 321.

Update:  The Diesel guys just don't quit.  Martin Both and Laddie Vitek have submitted big contributions.  It's a conspiracy!  What's happened to our buddies in the Car Dept.?

Detail: Money, Money, Money

0 From the Mailbox

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.

Donations continue to arrive.  Sam Polonetzky recently made a donation to the passenger car fund, and we have another from an anonymous donor.  We certainly appreciate all the support.  The total reported so far is approximately $1,500, so you can still partake of the largess!

And there are a couple of interesting recent comments.  Note the one from a member of the Wabash Railroad Historical Society about the replica locomotive we acquired back in May.  I'm not sure who's in charge of that project, but somebody should probably reply to Mr. Holzmeier.   And then an anonymous comment pointing to the construction of a new carbarn at the Sydney Tramway Museum in Australia.  Railway preservation is faced with much the same sort of problems all over the world, I guess.

Please keep those cards and letters coming.  Thanks!

Detail: From the Mailbox

0 Plan Ahead

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.

Our friend Ted Miles makes an excellent point.  When Gerald Brookins started collecting electric cars, he planned ahead.  He constructed storage barns for the collection, so that the restored cars would be protected from the weather and survive in good condition.  And as a result, nearly all of them are still in great shape and are now prized artifacts in several museums around the country.  Above, we see CA&E 409 at North Olmsted in 1979, and as you probably know it's now part of the operating fleet at IRM.  Mr. Brookins was a successful businessman and had financial resources none of us as individuals can match, I suppose.  But acting together, we should be able to accomplish the same thing.

Now at the same time, back in 1979, Gerry was nice enough to allow another trolley collector to store some of his collection at the North Olmsted location. That individual, on the other hand, had failed to plan ahead.  (And as long as I have him to kick around, I'll never run out of material!)  This Ohio interurban body was stored there near the shop.  Gerry soon tired of having these eyesores on his property, when everything else was nice and neat, so it was evicted.  And since this rotted-out hulk could not be moved, it was scrapped.

The lesson should be obvious.  IRM is planning ahead, planning to have our entire collection preserved and eventually restored.  To do this, we need your help.  By now, you know the rest.

Update: Roger Kramer is planning ahead.  He just made a substantial contribution on behalf of his favorite car, the Ingramport, which needs indoor storage. Thanks!

Detail: Plan Ahead

0 Thanks!

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.

More donations have been received, along with some great essays.  A $25 donor from Ohio writes:

"Time has proven in railway museum world that a barn is the other half to saving any piece of equipment. Unlike Lake Wobegone, where the decades cannot improve the town, decades outside make a piece of railway equipment only a full size pattern of rotted wood and iron oxide. Thousands of rotted out caboose cabins and sheds around the country  prove the need for real cover."

Other recent donors include Charles Kronenwetter and David Cook.

And then our own Bob Kutella says:

"I believe the core collection of IRM equipment is essential to the fabric of IRM.  Some of these cars are wood bodied and fragile, and have been under IRM stewardship for over HALF A CENTURY!  Yet they are largely forgotten in many cases.  Just because a piece of equipment has been acquired by IRM, it cannot be considered SAVED until under a roof.  If we are serious about preservation we should all work to fill up Barn 14 and get another 2000 feet of track filled up and under roof.

"That is the only way to really save this equipment and help assure it will be preserved for the future.  Many are not restored, but if allowed to crumble to dust under the relentless onslaught of mother nature, there will be nothing left to work with for the restorationists of the future.

"I have perhaps a more personal commitment to saving these cars as a Collection Curator, but all should consider helping in any way, as their circumstances permit.  If I had a sudden windfall of disposable income I would surely consider working to start at once on a seond Barn.  It is that impoortant to me.  Put aside any special interests or favorite departments. All equipment now outdoors needs help in getting inside. Even one more car inside is important, whatever your favorites might be or where your interests lie."

And he backs up his words with a $100 donation to the freight car fund RISWFC.  Also, see Ray Bellock's recent comment about checking with your employer about matching funds.  Excellent point!

Thanks, everybody!

Detail: Thanks!

0 Every Bit Helps

If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here.  Don't let this opportunity pass you by!  Our objective, of course, is to persuade people to donate more and sooner.  I was out at the Museum today, and several of the regular workers had questions and comments about the offer, so excitement is building.  And we're already getting results.

For instance, Jason Maxwell writes:

"Thanks for your generous offer to match contributions to indoor track space.  I just donated $25."

Thanks, Jason!  Every bit helps.

 

And for that matter, every bit helps when there's a complete restoration job to be done.  Most of my time today was spent stripping paint from the window sections on car 36, as seen here.  There are lots of molding strips and various surfaces to be prepped, so it takes a while.  I did most of about three sectors.

And then, for variety, there's the "Red Green" project.  Cleaning off the brass plate was not very difficult, as expected.  I installed new screws to hold it down with little difficulty, so I still have no idea why duct tape was thought necessary.  But I'm thinking that careful applications of moderate heat may make the job easier, without damaging the linoleum.  In any case, the floor will be completely repainted, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

As usual on a Wednesday, there were lots of other people about, working on various projects.  I don't always have my camera with me, so some get left out.  But here we see some more progress on stringing trolley wire over the connector.  The wire is held up by pulleys connected to the bracket arm span wires.  Max is starting at the south end and working north; at each arm the wire will be attached with the normal trolley wire clamps.  This will be a real improvement when it's finished.

Finally, it's time to examine your conscience.  What have you done for IRM lately?  Stumped?  If so, there's a quick and easy solution!

Detail: Every Bit Helps

0 Dollar for Dollar Challenge

We've had plenty of pleading, cajoling, and explaining.  It's time for direct action.

We here at Hicks Car Works are offering a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge for contributions to Barn 14 construction.  You make a contribution to any Barn 14 fund, we'll match it -- within limits.  Minimum of $25, maximum of $500 per person up to a total limit of $5,000.  We want this barn to get started NOW.  This offer is good for exactly one month, until December 20, 2012.

Here's how it works.  You donate to any fund to be used for Barn 14 construction, such as RISWEC.  You can send a check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
Box 427
Union, IL   60180

or donate online through our secure website at this link.

Send an email to randallhicks at wideopenwest dot com to notify us with your name and the amount.  Include "Barn 14" in the subject line.  We'll confirm that your donation has been received, and match it.  Your money does double duty.

Let us know if you want your name mentioned -- we'll be glad to give you some free publicity -- otherwise we won't.  You can also include a brief essay on why you're contributing to this cause, which we'll publish.  You won't find a better deal at any other museum!

Employees of Hicks Car Works and their families are not eligible for this special offer.  Please do not send cash or stamps.  Void where prohibited or taxed.

Detail: Dollar for Dollar Challenge

0 We Get Results

Well, that was quick!  A $200 donor writes:

"Thanks for all of the work that you and the team have done at IRM.  I can see the thousands of man hours invested in all of the restorations at IRM.

"I’m not a member but I appreciate the work that you and the other members of IRM do.  We took my son up for one of the “Day out with Thomas” weekends and were very happy with how well things were organized and laid out as well as the pride that the members took in not only their areas of  specialty but also making the littlest ones feel welcome.  We took a trip around the loop on one of the trolley cars and the driver was kind enough to explain a little bit about how the car worked and some of the areas we were passing.  We definitely appreciated it."

And Frank Nero, an IRM Diesel engineer, has contributed $50, which will also be matched.

Now it's your turn!

Detail: We Get Results

0 50% More or the End Is In Sight! Plus a bonus feature!

Al writes...

After my success last Tuesday I decided it was time to try again yesterday. As Randy stated in his last blog entry "Another day, another few feet of wooden siding stripped, sanded, and primed. " I was feeling a little bit better this week than last, so my efforts were able to cover one and a half windows for a 50% increase in the area prepared for future painting. Although today was chilly, working in barn 8 with a heat gun was not entirely uncomfortable.

 One feature about the 36 is that it was apparently varnished initially and when scraping the sides using a heat gun the varnish tends to gum up on my scraper and requires fairly frequent cleaning. As you can see at the end of the day we are within striking distance of completing the car side below the belt rail. It sure would be easier if Randy would figure out that dipping process.

As it was last week, things were rather quiet around the campus. I didn't have time to go exploring but some of the usual characters were seen on site including Rod, Frank, Nick, Ed and judging by the music coming from barn 4 Tim Peters was hard at work on the 4412. Of course Jan and company were keeping the lights on in the office. And hearing equipment moving about the site I assume Dave was hard work on B&G activities as well.

Bonus feature

It seems that we have a new face at IRM. Seen arriving was this three unit set of Miniature Train Company locomotive and two cars. This appears to be an MTC G12 model  12" gage amusement park train. For those of you not familiar with the Miniature Train Company it is probably best known for its F3 like locomotives on 14", 15" and 16" gage track, that were used in various amusement parks around the country. The Chicago area had at least five MTC G 16 train sets that I am aware of. There were two at Kiddieland, two at Riverview and one at Lincoln Park and I understand one is in private hands not too far from IRM.This train set is a smaller model than those and may be familiar to some of you babyboomers as similar to the one that ran in the Fair Store (note the early history of MTC was building trains for use in in Dept. stores) on State St. during Christmas (electrically operated I assume). Also arriving with the train was a truckload of 12" gage "snap track".

The miniature train company was a local supplier of amusement park trains. It was a small enough company that there does not even seem to be a Wikipedia entry for it. However a brief history of the company can be found here. I guess we will need to watch IRM cyber space closely for further developments.

My only question is what relationship did the Rattlesnake Island Railroad have to the North Shore?

This Blog entry was brought to you by the Shameless Prodding Division of the Hicks Car Works.

Remember indoor storage is the only long term solution to maintaining our equipment and ensuring that the preservation efforts of our volunteers do not get undone by time and weather.

YOU, yes you are being prodded to do something about it!  IRM is in the process of raising funds for Barn 14.  There are several funds you can donate to, but we here at the Hicks Car Works ask that you donate to code name RISWEC for cars in the Electric Car Department Collection.  Make a minimum $25.00 donation today!  You can mail your check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
P.O. Box 427
Union, IL 60180

If you want to, you can donate through this secure online link.

Any bit helps, so donate today!

Detail: 50% More or the End Is In Sight! Plus a bonus feature!

0 Shameless Prodding Post

Al writes…

If you are at all familiar with NPR's  Car Talk, you may be familiar with the Tappet Brothers' (Click and Clack) Shameless Commerce Division. Noting the success of this operation the senior management of the Hicks Car Works has decided to implement a Shameless Prodding Division hoping that you will be prodded yo help build the next barn at IRM.

As it has been noted before the very nature of the material which is used to construct transportation equipment is subject to deterioration from continued exposure to the elements. The only way to ensure that surface and/or deeper deterioration does not occur is to place the items, in this case our rolling stock, undercover. We have noted several times the effects of continued exposure to the elements. It is very disconcerting for volunteers that have spent time restoring equipment to see that restoration deteriorate as a result of weather exposure.

Case in point here we have a photograph at one of the more famous Electric Railway Museums (and I don't mean to throw stones at them). As you can see they are attempting to be preserve one PCC car with the use of a tarp. However, as we know the tarps require constant attention. This blog frequently reports on Randy's trips to the south end of IRM to ensure that 321 continues to be protected by its tarp. But as this photo shows tarps can't always be counted on to provide the necessary protection. In addition any preservation efforts can't be appreciated when they are hidden from view. The other two PCC's have no protection and are deteriorating as a result of exposure to the elements.

I tend not to take photos of deteriorated equipment so I don't have too many. But in this case I am presenting two bus photos for which I apologize. It seems that at many museums the buses tend to be somewhat more neglected than the railway rolling stock and provide a good example of what will happen if equipment is not protected from the elements.

In the first photo we see what can happen to one of the famous New York/Chicago Yellow Coach double-deckers. In spite of being constructed of metal this bus is totally collapsing on itself. In the second photo we see a Cleveland, St. Louis built trackless trolley, again in a state of advanced deterioration.

As an aside this trackless trolley is almost identical to the St. Louis built buses purchased by CSL. One could argue that it might find a more loving home at IRM.

But to the point indoor storage can only be achieved with contributions from all interested IRM friends.

YOU, yes you are being prodded to do something about it!  IRM is in the process of raising funds for Barn 14.  There are several funds you can donate to, but we here at the Hicks Car Works ask that you donate to code name RISWEC for cars in the Electric Car Department Collection.  Make a minimum $25.00 donation today!  You can mail your check to this address:

Illinois Railway Museum
P.O. Box 427
Union, IL 60180

If you want to, you can donate through this secure online link.

Any bit helps, so donate today!

Detail: Shameless Prodding Post