Yesterday we attended the gala benefit concert for the IRM Steam Department held at the Sanfilippo Estate near Barrington -- it was a tremendous success, and everybody enjoyed themselves immensely. The estate houses an incredible collection of organs, calliopes, mechanical music devices of all sorts, juke boxes, phonographs, chandeliers, slot machines, stationary steam engines, art works, stained glass, posters, and knick-knacks of every sort. And oh yes, railroad equipment. The estate is not open to the general public, but hosts benefit events like this one. So let's go!
There is so much to see that we can only give you an inadequate sampling.
The highlight of the evening was a concert on the world's largest theater organ, presented by Dave Calendine, brother of Jeff Calendine in the steam department.
His talents are unbelievable, and exploited to the fullest the huge array of sounds the organ can produce, including cannon fire, bagpipes, bells and whistles, earthquakes, and steam locomotive exhaust. You had to be there. The five-manual console rotates, raises and lowers. The 32' open rank makes the building shake.After the concert we were able to visit the carousel building which includes the railroad equipment. There's a steam loco, a wooden caboose, and a parlor car.
#18 was built as a narrow-gauge 2-6-0 by Grant in 1888, and later rebuilt to standard gauge. 
Like many similar locomotives, it has been substantially modified over the years.
The three pieces all are now equipped for link-and-pin couplers.
The parlor car was originally a chapel car, but little of the original structure is left. It was heavily rebuilt, and is now wider and taller than 
any ordinary passenger car.The hall is so crowded with various things that photography is difficult.
In any case, the event was a great success and they're talking about making it a yearly event. So don't miss out on this unique opportunity!