Latest News from Railroading Heritage
Latest News
2023 March Update
March 2023 UpdateMany things are happening all at once at RRHMA Silvis. Along with the help of NRE, the DD40 Centennial #6936 had a thorough inspection. Many of the items looked at in an inspection are Top deck, this is were cylinder heads, mechanical fuel injectors & linkage, valvetrain, cooling water and fuel piping are inspected. Inspections also cover the crankshaft and crankshaft main bearing, any defects have been noted and are in the process of getting ready for repairs. #5511 dome...
2023 February Update
Dear Fellow Railroad Historians, First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for their donations in 2022 and a special thanks to the Union Pacific Railroad for allowing us to preserve this historic equipment for future generations. To date your donations have helped us make significant progress at Silvis, IL. Work is moving at a steady pace on the #3985 & #5511 as well as the rebuilding the 115 ft twin span turntable. I am passing along a few pictures below which show work on the...
2023 Winter Update
Thanks to the generous contributions from members and donors, RRHMA volunteers have been working hard the last few months on the #3985, #5511 and many other things. Crews disconnected the tender from the engine and removed the cab of the #3985 to make restoration work easier. With the help of Iron Workers Local 111 out of Rock Island on metal repairs and NRE’s assistance with the crane, rigging and switching between the shop and the sand blast booth, the former Milwaukee Road turntable is...
UP Donation Train arrives Silvis
After months of planning and negotiations, hours of hard work and dedication, and with the continued support from generous donors, the Union Pacific Donation Special arrived at the Silvis Shops on Saturday, November 19, 2022. The following day, the shops were opened to the public to allow them to Walk Among the Giants – 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985, 2-10-2 #5511, and the largest diesel in the world, DDA40X Centennial #6936, plus several other pieces of historic equipment. Several hundred people...
RRHMA announces unique equipment delivery of historic Union Pacific steam and diesel locomotives to its facility in Silvis, IL
Railroading Heritage of Midwestern America (RRHMA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is proud to announce the scheduled delivery of three famous locomotives, recently deaccessioned from Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) in 2021, to the RRHMA shop facility in Silvis, IL. The delivery train is scheduled to depart Cheyenne, WY on November 11th, arriving in Silvis on November 19th. Once the equipment arrives in Silvis, a dedication ceremony and fundraiser benefit are scheduled, which will be announced through the...
Canadian Pacific donates turntable to RRHMA
Milwaukee Road turntable will be installed at Silvis shop complex SILVIS, Ill. — Canadian Pacific has donated the former Milwaukee Road twin-span turntable from Bensenville, Ill., to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) for use at its Silvis shop complex. On Sept. 8, the turntable, constructed in 1937, was successfully split in two and loaded onto trucks for the move across Illinois to Silvis. Project managers Erik Hoofnagle and Dennis Daugherty coordinated the move for RRHMA. While...
Union Pacific Donation Delivery #1
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) is excited to announce that huge steps are being taken to make our Silvis, Illinois, shop complex the new hub for what we call History's Future. We have been hard at work on everything from track repairs to new interior lighting and general clean up to make the first delivery of equipment possible.Track on the west end of the building was completely removed and replaced to make it easier and safer for equipment and operators to enter the...
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America Announces Double Matching Grant
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) is excited to announce the Double Matching Grant. This unique fundraising opportunity augments all donations to RRHMA’s Steam Restoration Fund by adding $2 for every dollar donated, through generous matching funds provided by two longtime donors. These doubled matches will ensure the speedy restoration of both Union Pacific “Challenger” 3985 as well as UP 5511, a historically significant locomotive in its own right, thanks to its three-valve drive gear.
Union Pacific, RRHMA reach agreement to preserve historic locomotives
OMAHA, Neb. and MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Union Pacific Railroad and the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) today announced UP’s donation of out-of-service historic Union Pacific locomotives and passenger equipment from UP’s Heritage Fleet. Under the agreement, the following equipment is being donated to RRHMA: UP “Challenger” steam locomotive No. 3985 built by American Locomotive Co. in 1943 “Santa Fe” type 2-10-2 steam locomotive No. 5511 built by Baldwin in 1923...
RRHMA awarded $31,000 by the Emery Rail Heritage Trust
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America would like to announce the award of $31,000 by the Emery Rail Heritage Trust to go towards the return to service of the Sleeping Car/Lounge Caritas. We would like to thank the Emery Rail Heritage Trust for its continued support of non-profits to preserve rolling stock from the golden age of rail travel. Railroading Heritage of Midwest America was proud to announce in late 2021 the acquisition of the Caritas Railcar from the Iowa Pacific Holding's...