The Illinois Railway Museum is excited to announce that fundraising has begun to move Milwaukee Road Buffeteria Diner 126 to the museum. Our fundraising goal is $25,000. Details on the car are on the GoFundMe page. Thank you for considering a donation to help preserve a part of Milwaukee Road history.

Donations are now being accepted through the museum's website:

https://www.irm.org/in-the-news/fundraiser-launched-to-save-milwaukee-road-126/

You can't view the information page without registering for Go Fund Me.

Didn't realize that. Here's the info from the GoFundMe-

The Illinois Railway Museum is fundraising to move Milwaukee Road Buffeteria 126 from Chamberlain, South Dakota, to the museum's campus in Union, Illinois. The 126 is being donated to the museum, and IRM needs your help to get the car to Union.

Milwaukee Road 126 was built in 1948 by the Milwaukee Road's Milwaukee shops as a standard 48-seat diner. In 1964, 126 was rebuilt, along with two other cars, into a counter-service style cafeteria car. The name 'Buffeteria' stems from buffet-cafeteria, the service provided on the car. The 126 represents a major gap in the museum's collection of rail dining service, bridging the golden era with current Amtrak services, which this car pioneered. 126 features a stainless and glass buffet line, seats for 32 diners, and a full kitchen.

In 1971, 126 was sold into private ownership, and the current owner is donating the car to IRM. The Buffeteria is in complete, unrestored, and original condition. $25,000 is needed to move the car by rail and begin restoration work once the car arrives in Union. 126 is a very unique car that has influenced passenger trains for over 50 years. Please consider a donation to help bring the car to its new home at the Illinois Railway Museum.

More information about the Illinois Railway Museum: Our mission is to educate the public as to our nation's railroad and railway history, by: Preserving and restoring rolling stock, artifacts, structures, and related transportation equipment for display to the public; Exhibiting the operation of restored rolling stock and equipment on a demonstration rail line; and Maintaining a reference library of publications, drawings and technical information regarding railroads, railways, and related forms of transportation for research and other purposes. The Illinois Railway Museum is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

You don't have to register for gofundme. link is: https://www.gofundme.com/milwaukee-road-buffeteria-126

In the picture - there's at least 1 other MLW car. What's happening to the other car shown.

Bob

Nothing is happening with other equipment in Chamberlain at this time.

Just as an alert to those of you who are contemplating donating (and I hope that's many): BE CAREFUL when finalizing your contribution. The GoFundMe people have started cleverly assessing an 'automatic' 15% "tip" donation without alerting you to the fact before the transaction is about to close, and it appears you have to physically specify a "zero dollar" amount in the tip box to avoid paying -- there is no 'no tip' selection available.

This makes something of a mockery out of their trumpeted claim that "100% of your donation goes to the charity" in my opinion, and while I have no intention of sabotaging the IRM campaign by advising you don't donate using GoFundMe, I want to be sure you all understand how to proceed if you do.

I just edited the main post, but I'll add it here too. IRM is now taking donations directly through their website for the 126.

The page for donations for the 126 is only set up for $25 -- unlike other pages that allow for selection of amount or entering a custom amount.

Should be working now, thanks for bringing that to our attention.

I always send my donations directly to the museums; I just sent in my 2019 membership to IRM; how about you?
My interest in railroad preservation is long; I wish my wallet was as long!

Ted 66 several memberships as well as IRM

How much is the freight railroad charging for the trip from South Dakota to Illinois? Can you post some current photos of the car? Thanks I like to know before I donate.
Can anyone respond to this reasonable question?