Sparks & Cinders - The Illinois Railway Museum DVD by Yard Goat Images

Established in 1953 to preserve and operate just one interurban car, the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) has grown to become the largest railroad museum in the United States.
The early years saw rapid expansion of the collection of retired electric passenger and freight equipment. Mainline rail equipment, including steam and diesel locomotives, were added to the collection. Soon it was apparent that the original location in North Chicago was too small. After considering possible locations large enough to restore, display, and eventually operate the growing collection, land for the museum plus the abandoned right-of-way of the Elgin & Belvidere interurban just outside of the town of Union, Illinois was purchased. In 1964 the museum moved to its present home.
Track was relaid on the former right-of-way to become the main line “demonstration railroad” for steam, diesel, and interurban trains. A mile-long electric loop track was constructed around the main grounds to circulate museum visitor