The RAIL Project (Rehabilitate And Invest in Longevity) is a major initiative to improve the museum's existing infrastructure and provide for future expansion and enhancement of the organization's storage and workshop facilities. Major work commenced in 2022 and is expected to last several years. Components of the RAIL Project include:

• Excavation and grading required for future Yard 12 and Yard 16 storm water detention including new basins and storm sewers - COMPLETE
• Extension of South Railroad Avenue to future Yard 16 - COMPLETE
• Construction of lead to Yard 16 - COMPLETE
• Construction of Yard 12 storage tracks - COMPLETE
• Removal, regrading, and track replacement in most of Yard 4 East - COMPLETE
• Grading for future Yard 16 - COMPLETE
• Construction of an eastward extension of Barn 4 and the "lean-to" for added storage - COMPLETE
• Excavation and grading required for future South Storage Building - IN PROGRESS

The RAIL Project includes engineering work for the following construction projects that have since been separately funded and approved for construction:

• Barn 15 - Equipment Storage Building - IN PROGRESS
• South Storage Building - IN PROGRESS
• Eastward extension of the Southwest Storehouse Building - IN PROGRESS

In addition, the RAIL Project includes engineering work for the following construction projects. Construction work is dependent on fundraising being done for each individual project.

• Yard 16 - Equipment Storage Yard
• Barn 12 - Track and Equipment Storage
• Barn 2 - Replacement Diesel Building

IRM has long funded capital projects primarily through major donations and bequests, while equipment storage barns have been funded by donations made to individual pieces of equipment to ensure those pieces' indoor storage. Your contribution to the Indoor Storage Fund or to the IRM General Fund can help make our future expansion plans included in the RAIL Project into reality.

How to Donate

Donations to the General Fund can be made here. If you are interested in a major donation or bequest, click here.

Donations toward indoor storage space in the next barn may be made to the department of your choice here.