Year In Review: 2007

What an amazing year!!   I would like to bring you up to date with what has been accomplished with the Railroad over the last year.  Little did anyone expect in the short 2 years that we have had ownership of the RR equipment we purchased from Ben Winter that we would have such support.  We have seen the support come in the way of not only labor but in the financial commitment from several different people and organizations. 

The beginning of 2006 started with main focus of getting the G-15 engine and rear end observation car, (The Diesel train set) back from the paint shop in time for the April Swap meet.  When this was evident that it wasn’t going to happen in time, our focused intensified to raising the needed funds to pay off Mr. Ben Winter.  We were able to raise $15,000 and are grateful to Bradford National Bank for financing the remaining balance with interest only payments for the next two years.  This will allow us to be able to finish the first phase of our layout to start generating the revenue needed to pay off the remaining balance.   

After paying off of Mr. Ben Winter in May the main track construction season kicked off again the first part of June in conjunction with the Museum’s tractor drive.  The main efforts were focused on constructing the first major curve on the West side of the grounds.  Next was the installation of the first of what will be many vehicle crossings.  We were pleasantly surprised with the donation of the concrete from Greenville Ready Mix, to give the entrance a professional finish needed for our ever growing museum. 

As June passed and we entered July great effort was given to rebuilding the G-15 Diesel outline engine and rear end observation car in preparation of the annual Heritage Show the last weekend of July.  With a tremendous effort from the volunteers the goal of having an operating train for the July was reached.  A good thing that was, as we gave over a 1,000 rides to people over the 3 day weekend. 

After the successful show in July, efforts once again returned to track building.  In September a small representation of the Railroad loaded up the G-15 engine and observation car and headed off to the International Grand Scale Convention in Steeleville, MO.   www.arborwayrailroad.com  This event would give the RR international exposure not only by the contacts made by the attendees but the opportunity to have the train set included in the Grand Scale film along with a brief description of where the train set is located.  And eventually was the catalyst to an anonymous gift of $10,000 in December 2007. 

In review here are some of the major highlights of 2007:

• Doubled the amount of right-of-way approaching 1,500 feet of mainline. 
• Installed our first vehicle crossing using full 75 pound rail and received the concrete as a donation. 
• Took full legal ownership of the train (May 2007) by paying off Mr. Ben Winter who made very generous arrangements for us to purchase his complete RR, including track, signals, etc.
• Received our 1st $10,000 donation to help pay off the RR. In May 2007 – then ended the year with 2 more! 
• Had the Diesel engine and rear end observation car painted ready for the July show. 
• Gave over 1,000 people rides on the train in the two events we ran at in 2006.
• Received an equipment donation from Carlisle Syntec estimated appraised value of $15,000. 
• We have been able to generate over $70,000 in revenue, donations and equipment donations over this past calendar year.  Let’s do that again!! 

Goals for 2008:

1. Double the amount of track from 1,500 to 3,000 feet of mainline, taking us to the limit of our current rail supply.
2. Finish the restoration of the G-15 diesel train set, the 2 remaining passenger cars currently being painted. 
3. Convert the G-15 brake system to a pressured brake system from the current vacuum system.
4. Raise the funds needed to construct a car barn to store and provide the very much needed maintenance facility for our RR equipment as our current in town facility is no longer available.
5. Start to rebuild our Atlantic class steam engine - thanks to a $10,000 donation in December.
6. Locate the rest of track/rail we need to complete Phase 1 of the layout and the track needed to store the current RR equipment – already have a $5,000 donation for this purpose. 

Our biggest focus for the first part of the year will be raising the capital needed to construct the car barn to give us the facilities we need to maintain and store the equipment.  If you would like to help us reach our goal of $30,000 for the car barn, fill out the information below and mail it back to the address listed below.  All donations to the R.R. are tax deductible because of our 501c3 status, being a not for profit organization. 

We are in need of everyone’s support on this project.  Naming rights to the Car Barn for the life of the building on the grounds are $20,000.  This will be the name that will be displayed outside on the car barn for all to see.  Other opportunities to give include, Company’s interested in giving $1,000 would have the opportunity to have their company information displayed on a 4’ x 8’ section on a semi trailer for a year that is kept year round on the grounds.  And of course if you haven’t become a lifetime member, you can do that for $1,250 per person or $2,500 per family.  Additional opportunities to invest in the RR can be found on the Museum web-site listed below.  Those opportunities include car naming rights and the adopt-a-tie program.    

Thank you for your interest in the Railroad.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or even join us for a work day;  1st and 3rd Saturdays 8:30a.m. and 2nd and 4th Thursdays 6:30p.m. every month either at the Museum grounds or Frueh Transportation in Greenville, IL. 

Enclosed is my tax deductible contribution (checks payable to ‘American Heritage Railroad’) in support of the construction of the Car Barn.

Name:__________________________________   Address:_____________________________________

City:____________________________ State:______  Zip:____________  Phone:___________________

E-mail:_____________________@________________________ . ___________

I would like to donate:  $5,000     $2,500     $1,250     $500     $___,________ towards the construction of the car barn. 

Mail to:  David Kessinger * President – American Heritage Railroad * 1300 Angela Court * Greenville, IL  62246 *
618-593-7742 * www.americanfarmheritagemuseum.org