Well, it's "Facebook Official," so here's the news.

A generous donor has, for the next month, offered to match every dollar contributed to the Illinois Railway Museum's restoration of Union Pacific 2-8-0 #428 up to $5,000. If we hit the goal, this could net $10,000 total for UP 428's restoration. The objective of this challenge is to help the steam shop jumpstart work on the locomotive's rebuild, which is now concentrated on the running gear.

If you would like to donate, send a check made out to IRM to the address below with "UP 428 challenge" on the memo line or call our office at 815-923-4391 ext 2. Every little bit helps. Thanks for your consideration!

Illinois Railway Museum
PO Box 427
Union, IL 60180

Christian Ellis
IRM Steam Team

UP 428 worked the Ord, Nebraska branch in the late 50's.

A little late for Throwback Thursday, but here's an Ebay example. Are any Harriman combines preserved?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Slide ... SwZW5aQRAm

Im very familiar with the Ord branch from Grand Island to St Paul, Neb. Its perfect territory for the venerable 2-8-0 design. Its still in use on a weekly basis. It would be nice to see 428 out on her old stomping grounds at some point.There is a good deal of community involvement and interest in steam locomotives. UP spoils the trackside communities with the heritage fleet.

So how did this come out? Was the $5,000 raised?

The Challenge 428 Grant has been extended to include all of February, 2018. The donor has increased the grant to $8000.00 to cover all the interest in this deserving project. Now you can still send in your donation to the UP 428 and it will be doubled up to a record $8,000 match! The restoration pace has picked up because of all the interest in this project. Thanks to everyone who has participated!