| Posted by on March 8, 2022 | |
The Illinois Railway Museum owned several turbines that were stored at Kansas City. This included 14A, 16A, 29A and 28A-B. (though 28A may have actually been 20A) All were scrapped in the early 90s for fund raising. The museum acquired 18A-B around 1992 from the Smoky Hill Railway and Historical Society. This trade included the Turbine, Centennial, Rotary Snowplow, and UP Caboose for several of IRM's ex N&W coaches.
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| Posted by on March 9, 2022 | |
I've donated to IRM.......but...reading TM Fennell comment I will NO LONGER donate to an organization that cuts up equipment for profit.....IRM needs to look up the definition of a museum!!!I HAD NO IDEA!!I'M IN SHOCK!!!
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I am also saddened at the idea that IRM (Illinois Railway Museum) had to scrap things in order to fund the museum. However it is simple fact most private museums were nearly bankrupt during the 70's. If I had a choice between their selling items for scrap vs not having he museum at all. I would chose I am glad they have been able to save what they have. The turbines would always be nothing but stuffed and mounted due to their massive maintenance issues. I just think of all the unique items that are preserved there to include a stuffed and mounted AB Turbine locomotive. I too have made donations to IRM, and will continue to do so to help prevent more things from being scrapped.
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The two turbines that IRM scrapped were not scrapped to raise funds, they were scrapped because IRM offered them to other museums and no one took them. IRM does not have unlimited funding, and it would have been prohibitively expensive to move and preserve all three.
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Interesting commentary on the outcome for these turbines. I'm thankful that at least two were saved, and I think it would have been fabulous if UP had thought enough about these as they did their large steam power and kept one active in Cheyenne for historic purposes. UP was an amazing developer of motive power back in the day. Not so much any more. Hopefully they will keep steam alive for some years to come.
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