On September 16th and 17th, 2023, the Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, IL, held their annual Railroad Days event, and I headed there on Saturday the 16th to document the action. Featuring Southern 401, Wabash 1189, C&IM 31, and IC 8733 all in operation, it was a very productive and enjoyable outing. In this video, you'll see some of the staging process of the IC 8733 and Southern 401 before the day's operations began, as well as various runbys of each train that ran the mainline between the museum and the town of Monticello. You'll also get a look inside of the fully operational interlocking tower known as Stair Tower at IC Junction on the museum grounds, and a 3train meet from the tower. Also featured is a ride in the cab of the C&IM 31, a rare RS1325 diesel, from the museum grounds to Monticello.
MRYM is located just north of Monticello, IL, alongside I72, between Decatur and Champaign. Trains operate over former IC and IT trackage, and pass through mulitiple neat locations along the route.
Enjoy. © 2023