Wheels O' Time Museum New Exhibit

Description

Wheels O’ Time Museum new exhibit, September 1, 2016 
 
  Wheels O’ Time Museum, 1710 W. Woodside Dr. Dunlap, Il 61525 (Rt.40 & W. Woodside Dr.) has a new exhibit,  “River and Rails,” displaying artifacts that emphasize the importance of the Illinois River and various Railroads to the founding and development of the Peoria area.
       
 Steamboats that first came in 1830 to the area and opened up the opportunity for        growth and commerce. Large models of the “Columbia” and “Spirit of Peoria” are on display.  Artifacts from the Columbia, which sank in 1918, near Creve Coeur, are displayed.  A Corp of Engineers map from 1902, of the Illinois River two hundred feet long is in exhibit.
        
The 1/8^th scale model TP&W Steam Locomotive, Tender and Caboose, were constructed over a twenty-two year period by Peoria native and Rockford businessman, Fred Wilson.  The impressive 1,600 pound model is under a 4’ x8’ photograph of the exact full-size engine. Six special designed locomotives were manufactured for TP&W because of the weight limit on the bridge crossing the river between Peoria and East Peoria.  One can watch the moving wheels and hear bygone sounds of the steam engine as well as viewing other railroad memorabilia.
 
         Museum phone number 309-243-9020, website: www.wheelsotime.org
         Email:  wotmuseum@aol.com