Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If you've taken a look into Illinois Railway Museum's history like I have, you might learn that several beloved operating steam locomotives at various tourist railroads across the country were once housed there. The list includes Western Maryland 734, Saginaw Timber Company 2, and even Norfolk and Western 475. Yes, in the early-mid 1980's, the famous Mastodon was stored at the museum, and I think I heard somewhere that when it was, the museum wanted to restore her to operation themselves. But as we all know, that wouldn't happen. 475 ended up later being moved to the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, then to Strasburg Railroad where it would finally get a new lease on life.
But... What if IRM had kept 475, and actually did restore her to operation themselves? Just for fun, here's a short little Trainz railfanning video that gives you an idea on what that alternative reality would have looked like.
Models by K&L Trainz, PWeiser, Trainz Forge, and DLS
IRM Route by Wig Wag Simulations
If you've taken a look into Illinois Railway Museum's history like I have, you might learn that several beloved operating steam locomotives at various tourist railroads across the country were once housed there. The list includes Western Maryland 734, Saginaw Timber Company 2, and even Norfolk and Western 475. Yes, in the early-mid 1980's, the famous Mastodon was stored at the museum, and I think I heard somewhere that when it was, the museum wanted to restore her to operation themselves. But as we all know, that wouldn't happen. 475 ended up later being moved to the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, then to Strasburg Railroad where it would finally get a new lease on life.
But... What if IRM had kept 475, and actually did restore her to operation themselves? Just for fun, here's a short little Trainz railfanning video that gives you an idea on what that alternative reality would have looked like.
Models by K&L Trainz, PWeiser, Trainz Forge, and DLS
IRM Route by Wig Wag Simulations
