Illinois RR Museum has apparently repainted a former C&NW F unit. Anyone have information about this project? Or pictures of the work? Boxcab E50
Nope you have one here Ken, it is an Ex Metra F7 that they(Metra) got from the CNW. Check out http://www.irm.org/gallery/cnw411paintproj?page=1 7 pages of how they did it all.
Thanks, Clayton. Interesting pages. Although I do wish there were a few more photos with captions. I presume this unit is now also completely operational? Boxcab E50
The BN-1 thread has a photo of BN1 however the next track over has a shot of the two ex-Metra F7s as well the three CNW Bi-lievels noted above.
Ah. Caught me! I was thinking that photo you've noted, was an older view when in C&NW train service. Perhaps a good testament to the quality of their work! Boxcab E50
From the pics I saw of the F and the bilevels, they looked to me to be ready to go back to work hauling commuters out of Chi-Town. Those folks do very nice work- it's good to see a covered wagon still running!
Beautiful engine! Doesn't UP still have a couple F's they aqcuired at the merger? I remember seeing a pic somewhere of them sitting at Cheyenne, I think? By the way, the latest issue of my Classic Trains has a good story of C&NW F's, along with Soo Line, and BN F's too in the upper mid-west in the 70's, and all color!! :teeth:
IRM has at LEAST BN-3 (ex bn9919, exx cbq 9989), BN 1/2, 2 CNW Fs as well as two other BN Es. UP has 3 CNW Fs and a DRGW F at Cheyenne
I believe UP did sell some of the F units stored at Cheyenne. Wasn't the former C&NW executve set there? Boxcab E50
They seem to be more into traction. My first visit was last summer when I took my 3 year old grand son to see the Thomas exhibit. Most of the buildings had some traction. Fun place but with a three year old we had to leave early do to nap time. I will return in the spring for a better look! By the way most of the steamers from Northwestern Steel and Wire (Sterling) retired in 1983 are there.
The 411 is alive. Have rode and seen her running. Was repainted in the 1970's paint because of the HEP unit.
411 and IRM CNW 411 is alive and well at IRM. IRM also picked up SD40-2 6847 from the UP and older GP 4160. 4160 sat in the Janesville WI yard for many months before showing up at IRM. They have another former CNW F unit still in Metra paint also. 411 was repainted at the WSOR shops at Horicon WI. WSOR (Wisconsin and Southern) has done great deal of great paint jobs at the Horicon shop. Little known....WSOR painted all the UP Heritage SD70ACEs. Went to Thomas weekend at IRM back in 2000. Talk about a class act. At that time, $10.00 for the whole day of riding trains. They had steam, diesel, bilevels, trollies, and interurbans running plus 1 ride behind Thomas. Well worth the August visit.
My now four year old grandson wants to know when we go to Thomas. LOL Maybe some day he will understand the history at IRM.
I hope they keep one of them in Metra paint. I realize I'm just a young pumk, but I have memories of Tball in the Early 80s Keystone Park, River Forest Il. Metra F units on the C&NW pulling into (and pushing out of) the station.
