Wheels O' Time Museum Dunlap, IL w/ Rock Island 886 07/13/19

After getting lunch at Avantis not far away, I took my dad and brother to the Wheels O' Time Museum in Dunlap which is a favorite of mine. Everything ranging from rare automobiles to a Rock Island steam engine, to a collection of farm toys and other odds and ends. You are greeted by the Rock Island 886 which is briefly featured at the beginning more about it further down. The information about the outdoor display comes from a booklet created by museum member Dave Giffin. Enjoy and don't forget to comment and subscribe!!
0:00 After a brief view of the Rock Island 886 we look inside the museum buildings featuring old cars, murals, train equipment, tractors, and much more.
Now to the outdoor railroad display
8:47 A Plymouth Gasoline Powered switcher engine which was built for the US Army in 1933 and was acquired by the museum in 1990.
9:04 A TP&W business car built by the Pullman Company in the 1890s and originally was owned by a millionaire John Bunting before being sold to the railroad in 1934. It was saved from scrapping in 1957 by Pete Vonachen a Peoria businessman for his restaurant and was located there until 2008 when the restaurant closed and the museum acquired it in 2010. Currently being refurbished for public display.
9:33 A C&EI business car which was built 1892 and was in service until 1959 when it was moved to the same restaurant and donated also in 2010. Currently being refurbished for public display.
10:00 A TP&W caboose which was originally built with wood sides in 1888 an was rebuilt several times and was eventually a bay window caboose.
11:01 A Milwaukee Road Combine car that was built in 1938 and was used on smaller less busy branch lines carrying both passengers and freight. Two others are preserved including one in Mendota which I have seen.
11:43 The main attraction at the museum, Rock Island 886 (4-6-2 Pacific type locomotive built by American Locomotive Company in 1910. It is one of only three Rock Island steam engines still left in existence and probably the best preserved example. It was originally intended to save the original 886 as it was the last steam engine to serve Peoria (excluding excursions) but it was scrapped so this engine which was originally 887 was renumbered as the 886. After spending time at Detweiller Park is was relocated to the museum in 1985.