Last weekend we once again visited the Monticello Railway Museum to see and ride behind Southern 401 in steam. The weather wasn't the best for photography, but it was still a very rewarding experience.
Among other things, I walked over to see their one piece of traction equipment, CTA car 53, a three-unit articulated. It has been heavily vandalized, with doors, windows, controllers, and other parts removed, and various items torched out of the ends. Fortunately for us, though, these "vandals" are actually IRM members who have made several trips downstate to remove parts. Monticello has generously made this car available to us as a parts source for our 52. The next step will be to lift the bodies off the trucks. 
The aluminum bodies will be deposited in the nearest pop can recycling bin, and the trucks and motors taken to Union.
The aluminum bodies will be deposited in the nearest pop can recycling bin, and the trucks and motors taken to Union.For more pictures of the steam locomotive, click here.
I hadn't noticed before that this Baldwin has an Alco power reverse gear.
In downtown Monticello several antique autos were on display by the station, and there was an opportunity to visit the cab.
The train consisted of this steel caboose, two IC cars, and the flat car with railings and benches behind the engine, where we rode.
Parallel to the IC branch used by the passenger train is the old route of the IT main line.