Alan goes to the Illinois Railway Museum

the goth girl at the front desk was also cute
The Museum:
www.irm.org/
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[@LoowitRail]

“damn imagine wanting to go that fast to omaha” LMAO

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

well you might want to go to sacremento through omaha

[@Balvald]

but also went equally as fast away from omaha.

[@notarotomwithhair5637]

2:24

[@RMTransit]

Careful there buddy! ;)

[@mdhazeldine]

I was totally looking for this comment. haha

[@cbltrains1368]

why isnt this comment pinged?? it needs to be pinged

[@Ninja-The-Red-Shinobi]

Train explodes in fireball, plays wet farting noise. All right Mr.Armchair... you got me on that one lol.

[@snigwithasword1284]

Wish I could find the original vidjayoh. Looks like a gem from youtube history... My google-fu is weak.

[@tiagomd3811]

@@snigwithasword1284 I think it's fat ass woman farting

[@anniebellemiller2986]

@@snigwithasword1284 kzbin.info/www/bejne/anXOqGWPjNZ_r7M

[@skipthefox4858]

@@snigwithasword1284 just look up "turbine locomotives don't always start up so easily" or something like that

[@yukkyarzupro1108]

I forgor at what sec

[@TheWolfHowling]

Note to Self: Add Illinois Railway Museum to 2022 US Holiday itinerary

[@martinfaland4712]

the place is def worth a visit and if you can time it right try and hit up one of the museum's events like showcase weekend, diesel days, the vintage transport extravaganza or the trolley parade.

[@MUrules2014]

There’s another good railway museum just a bit farther north in East Troy, WI that is probably a bit more focused on the Milwaukee Road and the TMERL inter urban, but does have a stretch of track they use for regular runs with the electric trains!!

[@TheWolfHowling]

@@MUrules2014 Thank you for the suggestion. After doing some quick research, the museum does look intriguing. However, it appears that the only way to travel there would be by automobile, as i could not find any transit services between East Troy & the nearby city of Milwaukee. I do not hold a valid drivers license, and with no transit, I’d have to take a taxi or ride share and that would be very expensive at 30 miles.

[@monica012077]

Absolutely!

[@markmanz8897]

If you have kids, go on the Thomas weekend. If you don’t have kids… don’t. Lol.

[@greynolds17]

once again confirming my argument that Alan is just Brian from RCR in an alternate universe where they review trains

[@wolfgang1667]

Truth! Getting major RCR “Corvettes at Carlisle” vibes here lol

[@bigshouldersrails1318]

The Regular Car Reviews influence is strong in this one

[@yeoldeseawitch]

i could hear it in his voice

[@2023-Sucked]

Oh yeah it is

[@gramsci420]

Perhaps a tad ironically

[@russellcalhoun9010]

Wingadingawingadinga

[@Honeydwarf85]

"this is my toy train"

[@carfreeneoliberalgeorgisty5102]

I'm always amazed that even the US has better national rail service than Canada even though both countries are plagued by car centric transportation planning and infrastructure funding. Via Rail's service and expensive pricing is an embarrassment in a 1st world country.

[@drdewott9154]

But on the other hand Most Canadian cities have better transportation within cities than a lot of equivalent places in the US... You get some you lose some I guess. Hopefully that HFR project there goes full speed ahead.

[@youkofoxy]

Haha... In Brazil we don't have trains for practical purposes. Almost all cargo is carried by trucks.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

Its time to stop using the term "first-world, second-world, and third-world."

[@sayrith]

Great for CARGO. Not passenger (yet)

[@linkhidalgogato]

im always amazed that the us had better train infrastructure than the us

[@LeafGreenLPs]

I live not terribly far from IRM, it's still got so many cool things that I haven't seen in a while. Also, there's a small town in southwest Chicagoland has a repair shop for locomotives and passenger cars. When I was REALLY young we got to go see the California Zephyr being restored there, but I barely remember it since I was maybe 4 lol

[@peterweger6923]

I live nearby too I am just under 2 miles from another great place to go visit the Volo Auto Museum

[@treinenliefde]

Wait wait wait. So youre telling me there was a goth girl working at the museum? I cant believe you didnt take a picture of something so rare.

[@chicagotrainandtransit9301]

Thank you so much for coming out and seeing IRM! It was amazing to let you see such a great place!

[@shadowmanwkp]

And thank you for educating people and maintaining these trains.

[@JuddKramer]

I'm detecting a little of Regular Car Reviews in your tour style. Nice.

[@rem2k254]

If you're ever in York, you should visit the National Railway Museum, it's got some amazing trains and it's a great day out.

[@zycklacon9588]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL, also that amtrak roomette looks like an absolute dream

[@TheFourFoot]

Great video! One of my all time happiest memories is riding in the doghouse of the 1630 on my 6th birthday. Also, you're right, Barn 9 is the best, but the Nebraska Zephyr ran between Chicago and Lincoln, Nebraska. Trust me lol

[@bali2516]

You are a huge cool dude. My favorite memory is at the Pennsylvania Railroad musem.

[@aquaarietta]

I don't know much about trains, but I do know The Henry Ford museum near Detroit has a cool section for old trains that reminds me of this.

[@nysubwaydude5634]

Imagine every subway cars molded in every city that has a subway look the exact same look.

[@ghost307]

Could that have something to do with the size of the tunnels?

[@petrfedor1851]

In Prague we have only 3 lines (4h is in preparation) with same tunnel size and 2 very different train types.

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

that 1859 streetcar is mindblowing

[@MA-wq2ih]

The Chicago streetcar company saved it and a few other cars for an eventual company museum that was never built. They were moved from carbarn to garages to a warehouse before the CTA finally donated them in the mid-1980s.

[@Kris_M]

We still have a couple of those classic PCCs running in Belgium. Sad to see them go because of their cool vintage look, but on the other hand the new trams are much more comfortable.

[@nysubwaydude5634]

European Railfan when they see stainless steel train: why don't you paint the train Me showing a photo of a carbon steel train rusting and paint chipping on trains European Railfan:😐.....oh (Plus the subway car from the New York City subway call the r62 in my profile pic is obviously made of stainless steel).

[@benedekhalda-kiss9737]

Well I mean in Hungary we have old rolling stock in a pretty vibrant blue color. And I've never seen any really rusty spots or paint chips

[@anindrapratama]

I guess Europeans are not that big on stainless steel (except for Portugal at one point, and a few French trains)

[@bendries4123]

There is also a Tram museum in South Elgin Illinois if you ever wanted to come back out to Illinois again

[@ralphp224]

I’ve never been there but I think it’s the Fox River Trolley Museum.

[@bendries4123]

@@ralphp224 it's something like that

[@trashrabbit69]

I cannot wait for those Highliners to be back in regular service for their tours. Those with the Electroliners are peak Midwestern commuter rail and I love them.

[@Robotic_Rampage]

Regular Train Reviews

[@thechicagorailfan9234]

Looking forward to see the videos on Chicago, nice to an east coast railfan get a taste of Midwestern railroads, it's a whole different environment.

[@XenSoc]

Glad I stumbled on your channel and came across this one. A nice trip down memory lane. I have very fond memories of volunteering in the diesel department at IRM (before I was banished to Detroit). There is literally way too much to do and not enough people or money to do it. Enjoying your channel as a whole! Thanks!

[@thefareplayer2254]

0:29 That's the best thing I've ever heard!

[@markmanz8897]

I have been there dozens of times. I can “smell” the buildings you are walking through. And I’ve ridden many of those trains and trolleys. And that includes the Nebraska Zephyr.

[@844SteamFan]

I can’t wait until I get a chance to go back to Chicago, the rest of my family that went were overwhelmed, but I just felt so right there, I don’t know why, but I did. Also Metra was great! :)

[@dieselgaint]

IRM is one of my favorites. Especially on Diesel Days! I got to ride in the cab of the Zephyr while they parked it. I asked if I could get into the engine room and rev the engines. The engineer said "Just don't leave them sticky!" They have some really nice pieces.

[@AmericansAlwaysFree]

5:56 RM Transit blown the hell out

[@williamhuang8309]

6:02 *RMTransit intensifies*

[@neilskinkle3019]

Very excited that upcoming videos will be focusing on the Chicago area. Hope you will talk about the South Shore Line, as you probably already know Chicago area railfans never shut up about it and for good reason.

[@Acela2163]

4:27 One note on the 2200-series cars, while the 3200-series and newer have the corrugated stainless steel to discourage graffiti, that was only adopted in the mid-90s. In the late-60s when the 2200s were built, the stainless steel was a a design choice by Budd to have the first of Chicago's "High Performance" L cars resemble Budd's mainline products. The rest of the L at the time used a mix of the Green Hornet scheme, and the Green and White livery. To have the 2200-series cars mesh with the rest of the fleet, the 2000-series cars that they would be running with were repainted into what was called the "Platinum and Black" Livery, where the cars where given a silver finish with black around the windows. While the 2200s ran their whole service life in unpainted stainless steel, many of the 2000s would be repainted again into the red, white, and blue "Spirit of Chicago" Livery, which they would wear until their retirement.

[@MA-wq2ih]

I used to know the CTA equipment engineer (now deceased) that convinced the agency to move away from steel and aluminum to stainless. He told them that it would cost more up front, but would save a LOT more in maintenance down the road.

[@uncinarynin]

When I was in Chicago I wanted to go here but realized there's no public transportation to the museum so I skipped it ... would have needed to rent a car, take uber or whatever ... I hate it when interesting things are off grid especially when they actually are next to a railway line.

[@alanthefisher]

yeah apparently Metra might be building a new line next to them eventually or IRM might run their own bus service to the closest Metra station

[@NYMR-Pacific-6323]

@@alanthefisher I Hope Metra Does Build I Line To The IRM. I Would Love To Be Able To Take A Metra Train To The Museum.

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

yeah ironic that it has no public transport running to it

[@MetroChamp]

@@brunhildevalkyrie The Southern California Railway Museum is also devoid of public transportation.

[@MA-wq2ih]

@@brunhildevalkyrie Well, when they were looking for a permanent home in the early 1960s, it was the only option available where they could own the property outright.

[@piccolo917]

You should come visit the train museum in Utrecht one day if you're in the vicinity (for some reason). It has some very impressive trains and great presentation.

[@Fenix-MU]

fun fact: In my country, the Little Joe used to work daily in both passenger and cargo services until 1998 when the government closed our railways. Many of those locomotives are still existing and i think 2 of them are in my city. I believe that if the government hadn't privatized the railways back in 1998, they'll still be running as today in regular services just like all the rest of the FEPASA and RFFSA rolling stock

[@jansalomin]

It’s always exciting seeing one of your videos early

[@franzkoviakalak6981]

"Welcome to the BETTER New York City!" I love you.

[@Ih8kone]

Why? Because of the deep-dish pizza?

[@franzkoviakalak6981]

@@Ih8kone because the people are nice and it doesn’t smell like piss

[@rileycoyote4924]

Fun Fact: I'm now a Volunteer here.

[@tafisher4495]

So many cool engines, amazing the collection they have. Thanks for the video.

[@dexecuter18]

Funny thing about that GG1, we found its original number boards in the Model RR shop in Piscataway about a month ago. Literally the only things missing from the museum's example and they should be added soon.

[@spartan117zm]

Does it still run by chance? GG1s are one of my favorite locomotives and I’d love to see one actually operating

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

@@spartan117zm No, none of them can run. All the frames have cracks, and the transformers have PCB's in them, which is why they were removed

[@MasonJarGaming]

Can you do a video about Morgantown WV’s “PRT” system. I think it’s a very cool and unique mode of transport.

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

The scale test car is from the Burlington Route (CB&Q). If I recall correctly, it was home-built.

[@ae86hatch14]

This channel sounds like a train version of regular car reviews

[@funbus7678]

Great video! These place seems so cool, I live fairly close the the Pennsylvania RR Museum, there's something so powerful about these massive locomotives all lined together. As you said in the video, really puts into perspective what we lost.

[@fernandomarques5166]

His love for the General Electric 2-D+D-2 "Little Joe" aka "Russian (fem.)" where I'm from makes me incredibly happy. Also yes, RDCs are love, RDCs are life.

[@ryanfrogz]

IRM is heaven on earth

[@AdurianJ]

If you want to see a European take on classic American diesel locomotives check out the old NOHAB diesels. They had a cooperation with GM and used their engines in all their diesel locomotives.

[@banana_junior_9000]

As a Milwaukeean, I was very happy to see the Little Joe at IRM 12-years ago. I also got to ride the Nebraska Zephyr!

[@Killerspieler0815]

@Alan Fisher - Cargo with trolleys & streetcars / trams is done in Leipzig (in Germany) called the "CarGoTram"

[@AA_8184_1]

Nice! Which Amtrak train did you take Lake Shore Limited from NYC or Capitol Limited from DC? Roomette room?

[@alanthefisher]

The Lake Shore Limited, and it was surprisingly only 30mins late

[@AA_8184_1]

Great to hear! Love your channel & I now definitely want to get to that museum!

[@Critical_Hit]

5:56 is this a dig at RMTransit?

[@alanthefisher]

🌝

[@DENVERRIOGRANDEMAN21]

2:40 there she is

[@alanthefisher]

Thats Mr. Joe to you

[@etm3300]

Not Alan trashing CLRV’s 😂

[@TwoMinutesStudios]

Alan did you ride the South Shore Line? Really neat interurban line

[@rileycoyote4924]

Hell yeah, my home line.

[@lavigne4520]

These locomotives will never return to the rails

[@snigwithasword1284]

So much potential. They really have to whip the kids to get them to not like this stuff.

[@1862henry]

That video was way awesome! I’d like to see the IRM again. About the himbo locomotive thing though, the real himbo locomotive is the Pennsy T1 or the Dreyfuss 4-6-4 that would take over from the electric locomotives in either croton on Harmon or wherever the Pennsylvania railroad switched from the electric to steam locomotives. That T1 was rumored to go 140 mph with the gorgeous design of Raymond Loewy who designed another himbo engine the S1, rumored to go 150 maybe! There’s nothing himbo about diesel locomotives. They’re dull and cold, and not living breathing and thrilling machines like steam locomotives are. Electrics have thrills all of their own, considering how fast the new avelias can go in the northeast.

[@juliemittel3931]

this video has such a regular car reviews vibe to it, i can almost hear brian talking from behind the camera.

[@SgtChip]

Looks like you might have rode in on the Lake Shore Limited. Lots of cool stuff at the IRM. I need to go there sometime.

[@Lebenspiel]

Climax and Ovid. What a coincidence...

[@inferno7169]

6:00 excuse me that is street car from Toronto Canada that they made you treat it with respect.

[@kriegh94]

TRAINS

[@davesurname1964]

T R A I N S !

[@EmyrDerfel]

NOT A CAR.

[@wilfstor3078]

While I do note the sarcastic remark on the CLRV, I'm just wondering when the IRM is going to get around to regauging it to standard gauge, cause that will be the final big push to get me to go to Illinois, to visit an old friend...

[@generalelectricmotor9084]

2:56 I just burst out laughing when I saw this 😂

[@thatconservativetrainguy3864]

The conrail engine is gonna be on the chopping block soon for cosmetic restoration into its original New Haven paint scheme

[@coastaku1954]

GO Transit's/VIA Rail's Willowbrook Yard in Etobicoke still has VIA RDCs on Site, I see them everytime I go downtown for some Bike Share action

[@TAWithiam]

Did you get to see the only remaning Chicago Tunnel Company locomotive (No. 508) In the 2ft gauge section?

[@JessicaMorgani]

DUDE TRAINS CAN SING CHORDS??? I'M IN LOVE🖤

[@TheNataliesansh]

I would love if they restore a AEM-7 to working order (I live in France now and miss the Amtrak interiors compared to the TGV ones)

[@hugoboyce9648]

Great video as always!

[@erleclaire]

What a thrill to see the MPLS Northfield & Southern #21.... I remember when it would stop by the Bottle Inn and the crew would get a sandwich and perhaps a few beers. Us kids would climb aboard and check out the cab. My brother made sure no one would touch anything! Later towards the end of the MPLS N&S's life I had opportunity to do a cab ride with one of the owners.

[@kevinaguilar7541]

I need to come back to the museum, it's amazing.

[@repairdrive]

Awesome museum. Been 3 times and still not tired of it.

[@angiemcavoy6603]

The TTC still has a PCC or 2, and was running to them late 80's early 90's

[@EpicThe112]

06:00-06:10 that is a Toronto Transit Commission Tram those run on 1.494m Tracks instead of NJ Transit 1.435m Tracks. Those run 510 Spadina 501 Queen Street 505 Dundas tram routes. Saw one of those on 501 Queen Street in 2009.

[@losh330]

This video made me realize that I like classic push pull locomotives. Also there is Google street view in the museum if anyone wants a peak at what they have.

[@crr311sux5]

You should visit the California state railroad museum

[@Gothrailfan_Crow]

Alan, they have another GE E33 at the VMT in Roanoke if you've never been

[@WAL_DC-6B]

It's also in much better shape, repainted in its original Virginian colors and you can visit the locomotive's cab interior.

[@AJFreeman-oj4rp]

This museum is awesome!!

[@alexniklaus6216]

used to go there all the time as a little kid. I recall that the last time i went there, a lot of the trains had their interiors closed off when they used to be open too the public.

[@jamesf791]

Thanks for sharing

[@coolbeansgamer211]

1:23 LOOK it’s an Amtrak toaster!

[@PowerTrain611]

If you think Climax is funny, there's a town in Pennsylvania called "Intercourse". Ironically, it's northeast of Paradise, PA.

[@Nyctota21]

feels like i'm watching Mr Regular comment on trains

[@johntousseau9380]

I went to the railroad museum of Pennsylvania. Very cool. Their collection is pretty impressive, and they have some working steam locomotives with early 1900s Pennsylvania railroad coaches fully restored you can ride in.

[@dmman33]

Remember what cars took from you

[@interstellarphred]

In USA, a lot of these "railway museums" are what I call "zombie railways" in that they died, but yet they still move at a fraction of the speed when alive while in a state of decay. This is not to denigrate those dedicated to keeping these machines from passing into oblivion.

[@_zoreo]

The commentary on this video is just beautiful

[@markmanz8897]

I love, love, love this video. I’ve been going to IRM since I was a child and many of theses gems were out in the elements, and not in buildings. Plus, I love the “jab” at Toronto. Lol.

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Awesome, hope to see it one day.

[@drake_the_ohioan_j50]

2:05 "the ultimate winga dinga machine" the funniest name

[@NYMR-Pacific-6323]

4:51 I Actually Just Saw A CTA Car With Grafitti On It This Morning

[@jasonminier6782]

Good shit. Your comments are hilarious.

[@GeneralHawk505]

I'm surprised you didn't see the NYCTA R28 cars....those were the only of 2 pairs of R28s in existence and that one IRM had basically let the rot to death. They were operational and they ran them into the ground instead of fixing them up.

[@piesciuk]

Incorrect. The R28s arrived in rough shape - lots of rust. They were made operational and ran a few times, then started to undergo restoration. They were painted, TWICE. New number boards were manufactured and purchased. The windows were removed to address some of the worst rust. A welder was hired and the entire project was well underway, then the project lead ran into health issues. The restoration is now on hold until he recovers or a new project lead is found. IRM has not let them "rot to death" and had not "ran them into the ground".

[@aliyada]

Alan, have you had a chance to check out the Sacramento Railroad museum? It's right across the street (under the highway) from the Sacramento Train Station.

[@arifakyuz7673]

“Welcome to the better New York City” Okay NJer

[@airminnesota]

How did you get to the museum? I planned to take Metra to Woodstock and then a dial-a-ride bus the rest of the way but they didn't have a bus available to pick me up. I ended up using a bike-share that was conveniently next to the Metra station, but it was a long and not-so-pleasant ride to the museum and to Crystal Lake's Metra station.

[@SleepingCube]

5:58 No insulting the Toronto Mans

[@MagereHein]

US passenger railways suck, but US built locomotives are works of incredible beauty. I'm a Dutch train lover and NS Class 1200 electric locomotives, a 1950s design by Baldwin built by Werkspoor, have the looks...