SILVIS, Ill. — Initially announced on Sept. 1, the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s (RRHMA) upcoming Tractors & Trains event, scheduled Oct. 18-19, now has a new layer of excitement brewing.
A Sept. 13 announcement headlines plans for the non-profit organization to unveil its latest acquisition that’s touted as a rare piece of railroading history. The unveiling will take place at the Oct. 18 insider dinner in the RRHMA Silvis shops. The new equipment will then be accessible the following day for those participating in shop tours. The tours themselves will also showcase Union Pacific steam locomotives Nos. 3985 and 5511 under restoration.
In addition to both the dinner and shop tours, steam-powered train rides around the yard will be powered by Flagg Coal Co. 0-4-0T No. 75 on Oct. 19. Other activities during the festivities will include displays, food trucks, face painters and a variety of vendors, according to RRHMA.
Tickets for the dinner, shop tour and train ride are sold separately, and can be purchased by visiting the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s website.
