Throwback to the final weeks of summer in 2020...
During the IRMs annual showcase weekend, the museum assembled a pretty large "Demonstration" freight consist for their locomotives to shuttle around for photo opportunities throughout the day and the highlight was when the museum's fan-favorite Shay locomotive lugged the heavy train down the mainline. With a crowd gathered and its valves steaming, J Neils Lumber Company #5 slowly rolls past Olson Road showing off an impressive display of power. Sadly, the locomotive crapped out little ways down the line and was put to bed early to address the minor issues. With most of the midwest being vacant of any kind of steam power for most of the 2020 season due to the ongoing pandemic, this was quite a refreshing sight.
