Fun Rail Excursions – The Illinois Railway Museum with Treasurer - Nigel Bennett
Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Nigel Bennett – Treasurer for the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) in Union, IL. Together they discuss the history of the 100-acre Illinois Railway Museum, their history, vast and expansive exhibits, extensive libraries, educational opportunities, and amazing seasonal events for the whole family to enjoy. Also, at the end of the episode Don is joined by co-founder, president and CEO of Boots for Troops – Jimmy Rogers to announce the 2024 – Honor our Heroes award winner! Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading. You can find the episode on the American Railroading Podcast's official website at www.AmericanRailroading.net . Welcome aboard!
KEY POINTS:
- The American Railroading Podcast remains in the Top 10% of all podcasts globally!
- Nigel was born and raised in England where during his teenage years, steam was the most common locomotive power source on British railways, not unlike the locomotive in Harry Potter.
- The Illinois Railway Museum was founded in 1953, but the railroad history on the site goes back much further than that.
- Their Pullman library and collection are so extensive that the Pullman Historical District and Trust utilizes the IRM as a resource.
- Exhibits at the IRM include their model railroad exhibit, freight train exhibit, post office gallery, full size railcars, locomotives and even buses, totaling over 500 railroad related exhibit items.
- In addition to the wonderful exhibits, visitors can also ride all kinds of trains while there including those powered by steam locomotives and more modern electric trains and trolleys.
- The seasonal events at IRM are many, including the upcoming Pumpkin Train in the fall, the Happy Holiday Railway and Steam Department Benefit at the Sanfillipo Estate.
- Anyone interested in the IRM can purchase their tickets, make donations and even sign up to volunteer via the IRM website at www.IRM.org .
- The 2024 Honor our Heroes Award winner is……
- Stay tuned for our next episode!
LINKS MENTIONED:
https://www.americanrailroading.net
https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com
https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast
Nigel G Bennett
Treasurer - Illinois Railway Museum
Born and raised in England, Nigel has been a fan of railroading since childhood, where he enjoyed the hobby of Trainspotting, and watching the intensive railway operations. Through his teenage years, steam was the most common locomotive power source on British railways. In his early teens Nigel enjoyed spending days at Bristol Temple Meads station, which then had 15 active platforms and departures commonly every minute during daytime hours. Organized trips from his school often included tours of motive power depots. At the larger of these it was not uncommon to find 100 or more steam locomotives.
Although railways were always a hobby for him, Nigel graduated from the University of Oxford with an M.A. in Biochemistry and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol, after which he had a 40-year career in accounting and computer systems primarily in the oil industry (Mobil and later BP). Nigel worked in the U.S. for three years in New York in the 1980s with Mobil and moved to Chicago permanently in 1999 with BP.
When Nigel retired in 2012, he was able to fulfill his dream of working with locomotives by joining the Illinois Railway Museum, assisting them with his financial expertise, where he serves as Treasurer on a volunteer basis.