Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 55 minutes ago
A day full of cowls and a Shay.
Today we returned to the Illinois Railway Museum for another one of their big events, that of course being Museum Showcase Weekend and the first one in a while without the 1630 running, so this year IRM decided to have a bit of fun and run a couple of interesting trains. Along with Shay 5 on the Caboose Train and 9911A with the Nebraska Zephyr, IRM ran a six car bi-level train with both of the BN E-Units (BN 9976 and BN-3) and the coach train's power was just as exciting with Metra 614 and BNSF 6976, making for a nice cowl unit lash up, which would ultimately be replaced later in the day with Santa Fe 92 due to problems with 6976.
In addition to the running trains, a lot of the museum's stuff was on display like Amtrak 231 and CNW 1518 at the diesel shop, the display track lineup, BNSF 9400 and CNW 7009 paired together near Barn 9, and the recently repainted tender of Union Pacific 428 as well as a brief glimpse at 1630, all in all it was a really fun day, despite the rain closer towards the end. However, the weekend isn't over quite yet. But for now enjoy the sights and sounds of the trains at IRM during Showcase Weekend. Enjoy!
Trains Operating:
Metra 614 and BNSF 6976 with the Coach Train
CB&Q 9911A with the Nebraska Zephyr
J. Niels Lumber Co. 5 with the Caboose Train
BN 9976 and BN-3 with the Bi-Levels
Rapid Transit Car #1797
CTA Streetcar #4391
Chicago Surface Lines Streetcar #1374
Santa Fe 92 with the Coach Train
Taken on 9-20-25
A day full of cowls and a Shay.
Today we returned to the Illinois Railway Museum for another one of their big events, that of course being Museum Showcase Weekend and the first one in a while without the 1630 running, so this year IRM decided to have a bit of fun and run a couple of interesting trains. Along with Shay 5 on the Caboose Train and 9911A with the Nebraska Zephyr, IRM ran a six car bi-level train with both of the BN E-Units (BN 9976 and BN-3) and the coach train's power was just as exciting with Metra 614 and BNSF 6976, making for a nice cowl unit lash up, which would ultimately be replaced later in the day with Santa Fe 92 due to problems with 6976.
In addition to the running trains, a lot of the museum's stuff was on display like Amtrak 231 and CNW 1518 at the diesel shop, the display track lineup, BNSF 9400 and CNW 7009 paired together near Barn 9, and the recently repainted tender of Union Pacific 428 as well as a brief glimpse at 1630, all in all it was a really fun day, despite the rain closer towards the end. However, the weekend isn't over quite yet. But for now enjoy the sights and sounds of the trains at IRM during Showcase Weekend. Enjoy!
Trains Operating:
Metra 614 and BNSF 6976 with the Coach Train
CB&Q 9911A with the Nebraska Zephyr
J. Niels Lumber Co. 5 with the Caboose Train
BN 9976 and BN-3 with the Bi-Levels
Rapid Transit Car #1797
CTA Streetcar #4391
Chicago Surface Lines Streetcar #1374
Santa Fe 92 with the Coach Train
Taken on 9-20-25
