GALESBURG TO RAISE FUNDS FOR R.R. HALL OF FAME: Backers of a plan to build a national railroad hall of fame in Galesburg. Illinois, say they plan to start a national fundraising campaign early next year. The hall of fame could cost about $30-million to build. Local organizers say they've raised $1.45-million in town and have more secured in state and local grants. Galesburg has a long railroad history and annually celebrates Railroad Days. [United Transportation Union, 2-25-10, from Associated Press report]
GALESBURG EYES NATIONAL R.R. HALL OF FAME: Galesburg, Ill., officials are hoping they can combine the attractions of the Quad Cities, Peoria and Galesburg to create a tourism corridor called Tractors, Trains & Tracks, that would include a $30-million proposed National Railroad Hall of Fame. The Tractors, Trains & Tracks corridor would use the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, the proposed Caterpillar visitor center in Peoria and the NRRHOF to create a tourism hub. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood visited Galesburg last October and met with officials. LaHood was supportive of the Tractors, Trains & Tracks idea, as was BNSF CEO Matt Rose. [United Transportation Union, 1-7-10, from Register-Mail report]
RAILROAD HALL OF FAME AWAITING STUDY: The National Railroad Hall of Fame may not begin attempting to raise serious amounts of private money to develop the project for up to two years, while it pays consultants to complete a "philanthropic feasibility study" and works to raise awareness of the ambitious plan. The proposed site for the hall of fame is in Galesburg, Illinois, close to the Amtrak Depot and Colton Park. [United Transportation Union, 3-17-09, from Register-Mail report]
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