Museum Access Season 2 Episode 6 Illinois Railway Museum

Museum Access is an educational series which highlights the rich history, culture, and artifacts preserved in various museums across the country. This show provides an in-depth look into museums that are usually out-of-reach for most people. This episode, Illinois Railway Museum, features the Illinois Railway Museum located in Union, Illinois, USA, which preserves the American railroad heritage.

The episode begins with a brief history of the museum. The Illinois Railway Museum was founded in 1953 by a group of railway enthusiasts. Over the years, they have expanded the collection and preserved everything that has to do with the railroad in America. This includes an extensive collection of railway cars and locomotives, station buildings, and other types of railroad-related artifacts and ephemera.

One of the highlights of this episode is the interview with Nick Kallas, Executive Director of the Illinois Railway Museum. He walks us through the different types of railway cars and engines they have, their history, and how the museum has been able to preserve these historic objects. He also explains how the museum acquires new possessions, and how they are maintained over time.

Another interesting segment of the episode features the museum's restoration work on a steam engine which was built in 1905 and used as a passenger and freight carrier until 1957. The steam engine was brought to the museum from a scrapyard in Wisconsin where it had been retired for over 50 years. The episode showcases the restoration work that has been done on the steam engine and highlights the engineering process they used to restore it to working condition.

The episode also explores the different types of railway cars that are on display at the museum, including boxcars, caboose cars, and dining cars. There is also a section dedicated to sleeper cars which give a glimpse into the way people traveled on the railroad in the past. The cars have been restored to their original condition, including the bedding and linens, giving visitors a true sense of the past.

One of the unique features of the Illinois Railway Museum is the streetcar display. The museum has the largest collection of streetcars in the United States, featuring cars from different cities and different time periods. The episode explains the history of streetcars and how the museum has been able to preserve them. Visitors can even ride on some of the streetcars and experience what it was like to ride one in the past.

Overall, this episode provides an informative and exciting look into the Illinois Railway Museum and the history of the American railroad system. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, engineering, and transportation. Museum Access season 2 episode 6 is an excellent example of how museums can be educational and entertaining at the same time.