The Monticello Railway Museum is pleased to announce events for Railroad Days. The Museum is especially thrilled to announce that the 401 Southern Steam Locomotive is being returned to service! The 401 and tender have been completely rebuilt by the Museum's volunteers and are ready to roll. Don't miss the hiss of the only reciprocating steam locomotive in central ILlinois pulling the Museum's vintage coaches with excited passengers on this monumental event. And don't forget the Museum's cabooses!
The Museum will also debut their newest Wabash vintage rolling stock. The Wabash 1827 Coach and Wabash #6 Business Car will once again roll on the rails. The most recent diesel locomotive donation, IC 6071 SD-40 prototype will be on display. Railroad Days will include motor car rides, pump car rides and kiddie pedal cars. Come ride the vintage passenger trains on the former Illinois Centtral and Illinois Terminal tracks.
Norfolk-Southern is sendng their Executive Diesels as well as the NS Southern Heritage Diesel! This is an opportunity to get close to and photograph otherwise seldom seen equipment.
Tickets are $15/adult and $10/children ages 2-12 for all day tickets- as many rides as you want! Visitors must have tickets to access the grounds and all tickets are final. Rain or shine, the event will go on.
The Museum will be offering a Saturday night extra fare photo session; Tickets will be available at the gate or gift shop. The night photo session is scheduled to commence at dusk. Briefing for photographers will be at 6:30pm at Nelson's Crossing Depot.
Other events include: Chris Camp, The Whip Guy- who will perform at 11am, 1:30pm and 4:00pm on both days. Let the kids be the engineer and blow the whistle at the diesel air horn display and be sure to check out the 191 Steam Locomotive and tender that was cosmetically restored by Alex Kaper to earn his Eagle Scout Badge.
The Concession stand will be open with snacks, hot food and drinks. Free parking, restrooms and a gift shop are also available.
"Friend" the Museum on Facebook, or visit www.mrym.org for more information.
The Monticello Railway Museum gates open to the public for Railroad Days on Saturday morning, 9am. Railroad Days will be the entire weekend of September 18th & 19th, 2010, from 9:00am until 5:00pm.
The Monticello Railway Museum, located in Monticello, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Museum is located off I-72 exit #166 between Champaign and Decatur, Illinois, at 992 Iron Horse Place. All proceeds from this and other events are used for restoration and operation of historic trains at the museum.
