The IRM used two of its most recent acquisitions during the 2023 Diesel Days, both working probably their first passenger trains. Chicago & North Western (C&NW) No. 7009, the only preserved EMD built SD50 dating from 1985 worked passenger trains in multiple with other locos. The loco became Union Pacific No. 7009 when UP bought the C&NW in 1995 but was withdrawn in 2001 still in C&NW livery which it retains today. Bought by a leasing company, it was used until 2006 and then stored before joining the IRM collection in 2022. No. 7009 is seen leading a triple header together with ex C&NW EMD SD40-2 No. 6847 and Wisconsin Central SD45 No. 7525 on August 13.
KEITH FENDER
THE Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) based in Union, Illinois around 50 miles west of Chicago is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The attraction was founded in 1953 initially as the Illinois Electric Railway Museum to preserve interurban light rail vehicles, large numbers of which were being made redundant following the closure of multiple lines.
Renamed in 1961 as its collection now included steam locos and relocated from its original base to Union in 1964, the railway owns a section of the former Elgin and Belvedere Electric interurban route which it now uses to operate steam, diesel and electric trains.