Final planning is underway for the big event! Sunday, May 2, 2004, from 10AM
to 4PM. Homewood Village Hall and Fire Station Complex, at the corner of
Chestnut Road and Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood, IL.
We have a great event planned, and hope everyone will come out to this FREE
event and make our first year a big one. Here are the events and activities
confirmed as of Saturday, April 17th, 2004:
-CN will be operating their “Little Obie” Operation Lifesaver children’s
“train” during the entire event. Kids big and small will be treated to a ride
and
a bag of Op Lifesaver goodies.
-Union Pacific will also be onsite and doing Operation Lifesaver activities.
-METRA has confirmed that the 4-car “Illinois Central” electric train will be
operating on a normal Sunday schedule all day. This train will consist of
four of the last “chocolate and orange” M.U. cars left, and now that the station
platforms are all open, good photo opportunities should abound. Come out and
catch this “blast from the past.”
-At 12 PM, we will be having a formal groundbreaking ceremony at the site of
Homewood’s new railfan facility. This new platform will allow for great views
of trains operating through downtown Homewood, and will offer the same
opportunity to meet fellow rail enthusiasts that the park in Rochelle IL does.
The
site is at the south end of the PACE bus transfer facility on the east side of
the IC right of way through downtown Homewood. Tentative plans call for the
presence of a CN/IC locomotive and a very special dignitary at the
groundbreaking, although this is not confirmed as of this date.
-“Rail Raffles” throughout the day
-Swap meet and vendors
-Food & beverages by local Homewood vendors including world famous Aurelio’s
Pizza.
-Railroad Art Display
-Railroad Model Displ