Donations
Historic Sign Fund
Donations to the Historic Sign Fund are what allow IRM to preserve and restore historic railroad-related signs and stone entablatures.
Indoor Storage
The best way to preserve our trains is to store them indoors and out of the weather. To make that happen, additional storage and exhibit buildings must be built. Donations to fund this construction can be made in various increments and can be applied to a department of your choice.
General Fund
The Illinois Railway Museum's General Fund is how the trains keep running and the doors stay open. Ongoing maintenance of railway equipment, fuel, electricity, and operating costs are supported by the General Fund, as are many of our capital improvements. Your donations help keep us a Museum in Motion.
Model Railroad Exhibit
The Model Railroad Exhibit is a planned indoor exhibition space which will educate visitors to the Illinois Railway Museum about the history of miniature and model trains. Donations are being solicited to fund the creation and maintenance of both operating and non-operating displays of model trains.
Turntable Fund
A turntable has been a key element of the museum plan for many years. This will be the center of the long term plan to house and present our steam collection in a roundhouse setting. More than that it will present a fascinating visitor attraction, and the ability to turn
Main Street Entrance Building
The Illinois Railway Museum’s Main Street Entrance Building is our next step into the future. This two-story, 36,000 square foot structure will anchor our historic 1950s Main Street scene and will feature exhibit space, lecture and film presentation halls, archival storage, offices, and expanded public facilities.
Equipment Restoration
The Illinois Railway Museum is soliciting donations for equipment restoration for a specific department. Please choose the department that you would like to have the funds applied to. Donations can be made in various increments up to an amount of your choice.
Rotary Snow Plow
We are raising funds to cosmetically restore our Rotary Snow Plow, built in 1949 by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Union Pacific Railroad. Repainting of this historic steam-powered rotary plow will restore one of the museum's most popular display pieces to its appearance in service.
Land Acquisition Fund
To help purchase buffer land to prevent encroaching development, the Illinois Railway Museum is soliciting donations for the Land Acquisition Fund. Contributions towards this vital purpose will help in providing for the museum's long-term security.
Strahorn Library
The Strahorn Library, located at 118 East Washington Street in nearby Marengo, is a non-circulating research library which focuses on all aspects of railroading. Reference materials include books, periodicals, professional journals, government publications, slides, and photographs.
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