Just returned from my first-ever visit to IRM. I want to commend the staff/volunteers of this organization for presenting a great experience to their visitors. I always come away from any visit like this both feeling great about things we are doing at our own facillity and compiling a list of things we can do better or differently. I hope you guys wont mind me adapting a few things I saw for use in Altoona.

The size of the rolling stock collection was overwhelming. I wish I had over 2 miles of track indoors but I'm sure that much infrastructure comes with its own headaches as well. I had a very nice informative interurban ride with Stan and I'll be carrying my IRM shirt back to Pennsylvania.

I have to comment on one word that stuck in my head the entire time I was there. VOLUNTEERISM. I hope those of you who have not been to IRM get the chance to go and those of you that have been visitors there remember one thing from your visit. What incredible value a SOLID GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS can bring to your facility. I know we in Altoona would not be making the progress we are in our yard without our volunteers but the level of accomplishment through volunteerism in Illinois is astounding. Can we bottle that and spread it around?

Great job and good luck with your expansion plans. Nick - I stuck my head in the office door but you weren't around. Hope to see you in Altoona sometime.

Scott,

Did you find out any info on the 428? I would like to see that it when they get it under steam.

What is the latest on the K4?

Thanks for anyupdate,

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

in the absence of any of the steam guys here, I can say that the 428 is approved for a boiler test, and she is getting back together slow but sure. In the same space, the crew is working on repairs to a Shay and also getting their new drop table built so they can do axle maintenance on the Decapod.