Southern Railway 401, back in service.

[E.M. Bell]

We are highly thinking about heading up that way on Saturday, attending the night photo session and shooting the 401 on Sunday. Its been a banner year for Southern Steam!

""Press Release""

Monticello Railway Musuem Railroad Days
Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2010
103-year Old Steam Locomotive to Operate

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Museum President John Sciutto 309-212-0052
Railroad Days Event Chairman Bill Crisp 217-825-8088

WHEN:

Gates open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19

WHERE:

The Monticello Railway Museum is located just off I-72 exit No. 166

(about halfway between Champaign and Decatur IL) at 992 Iron Horse Place Monticello, Illinois 61856

The Monticello Railway Museum proudly announces its events for Railroad Days September 18-19, 2010.

We are especially thrilled that Southern Railway 401, 2-8-0 (BLW 32487 / 1907) is being returned to service! The 401 and its tender have been completely rebuilt by our volunteers and are ready to roll. You won't want to miss the first runs for the only reciprocating steam locomotive in Central Illinois pulling vintage coaches for this monumental event. And don't forget we still have cabooses to ride.

We will also debut our newly-acquired Wabash vintage rolling stock. Coach No. 1827 and business car No. 6 will once again roll on the rails. And, our recent diesel locomotive donation, Illinois Central No. 6071 the SD-40 prototype will be on display. Railroad Days will include motor and pump car rides and kiddie's pedal cars. Come and ride our vintage passenger trains on the former Illinois Central and Illinois Terminal tracks.

Norfolk Southern is bringing in their executive diesels from Roanoke VA, along with their Southern Heritage diesel. This is an opportunity to get close to and photograph otherwise seldom seen equipment.

Tickets are $15/adult and $10/children ages 2-12 for all day tickets, as many rides as you want. You must have a ticket to access the grounds. All ticket sales are final. This event happens rain or shine.

We will be offering a Saturday night photo session for photographers, with tickets available at the gate or gift shop. The night photo session starts at dusk, with a briefing for photographers at 6:30 p.m. at the Nelson's Crossing depot.

Other events include; Chris Camp, The Whip Guy, who will perform at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 pm on both days; or kids can be an engineer and blow the whistle at the diesel air horn display, then check out steam locomotive No. 191 and its tender, cosmetically restored by Alex Kaper to earn his Eagle Scout badge.

Our concession stand will have snacks, hot food and soft drinks. We offer free parking, rest rooms and a gift shop for that special souvenir.

Click on our web page for events, updates and schedules – http://mrym.org

All proceeds from the event are used for restoration and operation of historic trains at the museum.

For further information, call 877-762-9011 or email:

The Monticello Railway Museum is an all-Volunteer, Not-for-Profit
Educational Organization Established in 1966