Visit to the Pullman Library
Illinois Railway Museum
P. O. Box 427
Union, IL  60180
815.923.2020 (Wed. 10 - 4:30 Central Time)

Ted Anderson, curator;  Al Johnson, archivist;  Bob Webber, historian.


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Cracker's Restaurant adjacent to the Pullman Drawings Museum	John Andersen Research Center in the center of Union, IL.
Ted Anderson, curator; and Bob Webber, historian, took us in the side door for an excellent tour.	They had made displays of copies of sample materials of Pullman cars so we could see what they had in their many file cabinets.

Other drawings they had printed for us to view.	Ted shows one drawer full of original drawings, about 5 ft. long by 2 to 3 feet tall.

The drawing cabinets reach to the ceiling on the first floor, requiring a ladder to reach many drawings. Other printouts of Pullman cars Ted and staff had made just for our group. (right)
	Scanner - the first step in copying and sending a client a drawing.

Second step, storing the drawing on computer, and sending it to the printer.	Next step, printing from the computer.
They have a couple of printers.	Ted pointed out the oil lamp in this detail, which preceded other lamps, then electricity.

Upstairs is where Bob does his historian work.
An HO scale model made from one of their drawings.

Our great tour of the Pullman Museum in Union was complete, so we drove to the IRM just as the trolley crossed our path - a seldom seen sight anywhere else except at Union, IL.

As the sign says, to the right, "The Illinois Railway Museum is the largest railroad museum in the United States, with an unparalleled collection of railroad rolling stock, equipment, structures, and artifacts."
Inside the historic train station on site.

Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin #431 Streetcar was taking guests on the 1.5 mi. rightaway.  For more information on this car, go to:  http://www.irm.org/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi?inter=Chicago+Aurora+&+Elgin=431	While waiting for the next ride on the Streetcar, we found this Pullman Troop Car, which is not part of the store.
A switcher in use at IRM.

Restoration work in progress on the Dover Strait - Club, Buffet, Six-Double-Bedrooms. The restorer (right) welcomes David Mangold and our small group on board to show us what he has done to restore the Dover Strait.
We were given copies of all the drawings on his work bench	How he paints hardware, even screws, to be put back in the car.

Timeline of the car so authentic paint can be used.
Dave checking out the tilt-sink basin.	Beautifully restored bathroom, 1 of 6.

Water bottle in room.	Set up for day use.
Set up for night use.	Galley

Speeder	Boarding the Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin #431 for a ride.
Bob watches the scenery through a sprinkle. On our Streetcar ride (right).	A timely advertisement in the Streetcar.

Motorman, Jeff Orbarek	Photo Credit:  Bob Williams

	Jim Pechaus gave the talk about the trolley.

We began walking through the Barns and outside displays, dodging the showers.  Always something to look at inside and out.

	"All washed up."

One thing I remembered from my only time being here before was a bunch of retired steam locomotives at the end of the barns, outside.  I found them this day and enjoyed some creative photography of them.  I've made a page with descriptions of each locomotive, called "Rust in Peace" at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/cptrtchr/RustInPeace02#.  Otherwise here are some random shots or Steam Locomotives, Rusting in Peace:

Because of some distracting color in these two photos, I submit them as black and whites.

	Below.

Bob by 54" drivers of 2050

	Photo Credit:  Bob Williams

Time to catch the train back to California