The Burlington Northern asked for and received use of the Nebraska Zephyr for a number of special events. The first of these was in Fort Worth, Texas, for the unveiling of their first SD70-MAC units. As a "thank you," the IRM recieved BN 5383, a General Electric U30C 3000 hp, six-axle diesel locomotive.

As things happen, the IRM acquired two steam locomotives. The first, Texas and New Orleans number 975 is a 2-10-2 that (when this was all happening) was located in Beaumont, Texas. The second is CB&Q Hudson number 3007, that had been in Atlantic, Iowa. The IRM needed to get these units moved to our location in Union, Illinois, which meant a trip across the BN. An arrangement was made whereby the IRM would deliver 5383 back to the BN to provide motive power for the move of these steam locomotives. Having a museum unit actually go to retrieve other museum pieces is a first in American railroad museum history!

So far, so good. There was only one problem. Some of the wheelsets on 5383 were in serious shape. The museum sent 5383 to a professional locomotive maintenance center for that work. Many thanks to John Howell of the IRM Museum Board who provides us with these photographs, used with his permission.

Before the 5383 could be moved off IRM property, it had to undergo a standard 90-day inspection.

These two photos show IRM members working hard on that inspection!

5383 then was sent to a professional shop and placed over the drop pit.

The old wheelsets and traction motors are removed from the unit.

Crews ready a new wheelset for positioning on one of the removed traction motors.

Precision handling of an overhead crane makes positioning look easy!

Shop workers make sure that there's proper fit and lubrication.

Can you stand the white jumpsuits in the shops?

Finally, the rebuilt wheelset with the traction motor is moved back to the drop pit and reinstalled in the unit.

The CB&Q locomotive (3007) was derailed in Des Moines (Norfolk Southern) and Hulcher called to rerail it. Fortunately, no damage was done to 3007. Here we see BN 5383 returning to the IRM with CB&Q Hudson #3007 and Texas & New Orleans Santa Fe #975 in tow.

Safely transported to the IRM, we find CB&Q Hudson #3007 on the "roundhouse leads" on a cold January morning in 1996.

Coupled right behind 3007 is Texas & New Orleans #975, soaking up some winter sunlight.