Hat's off to IRM for the new diner. My family had the opportunity to visit on June 1st and ate lunch inside. Having seen the work in-progress last year it was nice see the completion of the diner this year. Looking forward to seeing the completion of the diner car also.

Once again during our visit a volunteer took some time to speak with us and make our trip memorable. This year the gentleman that is repainting the X-18 discussed the decals he was using and the overall repainting effort. We also had a nice conversation with the volunteer in the used book car.

Since this was our second visit we knew what to expect. It was still nice however that things had changed since our last visit so we had new and different things to look at. The rotation of equipment for the rides and the different cars open in the car barn made this a unique visit as well.

I did have a question on the signage that I noticed. The brick is obviously new but the signage appears donated / salvaged. Can someone tell me the history on these signs? They make an excellent addition to IRM and tell a story as well.

Thanks again, looking forward to our next visit!

rrtp@onecliq.net

If you're referring to the rectangular informational signs on equipment and around the Museum, they are road sign blanks with vinyl lettering/symbols. They are produced "in-house" by Board president Kevin McCabe, who uses a computer-driven lettering cutter. It is an efficient way to produce much needed signage, and he has spent many hours preparing them from the copy submitted by the department heads.

beast@mc.net

P.S. We're really glad you enjoyed your visit! Please come back again!

beast@mc.net

I think the signage you are referring to is a series of cut stone architectural 'entablatures' which are installed as part of a safety wall along the diner area. For a number of years we have been trying to save these parts of rail and transit structures as the landmark buildings they adorned were torn down. Steadily these have been incorparated into displays around the site and they are not only interesting but popular with the visitors. Alongside the diner the main feature is the long rail name and logo from the Soo Line Freighthouse near downtown Chicago. In addition to those and other pieces of cornerstone type stonework, we have saved various other architectural features such as huge stone 'heads' and gargoyles from some of Chicago's now gone passenger palaces.

Bob Kutella


68trolley@attbi.com

Thanks! That is the information I was looking for.

> I think the signage you are referring to is
> a series of cut stone architectural
> 'entablatures' which are installed as part
> of a safety wall along the diner area. For a
> number of years we have been trying to save
> these parts of rail and transit structures
> as the landmark buildings they adorned were
> torn down. Steadily these have been
> incorparated into displays around the site
> and they are not only interesting but
> popular with the visitors. Alongside the
> diner the main feature is the long rail name
> and logo from the Soo Line Freighthouse near
> downtown Chicago. In addition to those and
> other pieces of cornerstone type stonework,
> we have saved various other architectural
> features such as huge stone 'heads' and
> gargoyles from some of Chicago's now gone
> passenger palaces.

> Bob Kutella


rrtp@onecliq.net