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Upcoming Events

Note: Join us for our Work Day, Sunday July 13.

Our next events:

Membership (business) meetings are generally held 1:30pm on the third Sunday of most months. Although subject to change, meetings are normally held at the Big Rock Town Hall, Rhodes and Fifth Streets, Big Rock, IL. If the Town Hall is unavailable the meeting will be held at our engine house at Plowman’s Park/Kenny Field. Note that these meeting dates are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or for other reasons.

• January – No meeting

• February – No meeting

• March 16

• April 20

• May 18

• June 15 June 22- Will be held at the car barn and not at the Town Hall.

• July 20

• August – No meeting

• September – No meeting

• October 19

• November 16

• December 21

*No meetings are planned at this time for August and September due to conflicting special events (see "Special Events" below).

Open run days are held on the first Saturday of each month from April through November at Kenny Field, Big Rock, IL. Participation is limited to members and their guests, and visiting live steamers. There are no rides for the general public.

August 14-17^th: Northern Illinois Steam Power Club Annual Meet held near Sycamore, IL (visit www.threshingbee.org for more information about this event). Although focused around the display and operation of antique farming equipment, the PSRR operates trains over a small loop of track for the enjoyment of visitors. Due to a shortage of space for display purposes, visiting live steamers should contact the club prior to bringing out any equipment. Use of the track is reserved for approved engines and trains that are being used to handle the public only.

September: Big Rock Plowing Match, Kenny Field, Big Rock, IL (visit www.bigrockplowingmatch.com for more details about this event). Public are invited and we will operate trains. Visiting engines welcome at this event only if they can be used in public operation (see special notice below). Current boiler certification required for steam locomotives. Due to a shortage of space for display purposes, visiting live steamers should contact the club prior to bringing out any equipment. Use of the track is reserved for approved engines and trains that are being used to handle the public only.

Because the Prairie State Railroad Club is a membership-based all-volunteer organization, we encourage members and friends to participate in maintaining the grounds, track, and related facilities. Organized work sessions will be held at the Big Rock location on the 2^nd Sunday of each month, March through November.

Work sessions are also conducted at the Sycamore site in preparation for the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club Annual Meet.

Less formal work sessions may be held on other days and during the winter months. Contact Rusty Collier at the phone number shown on the Contact Us page for details.

OWNERS/OPERATORS OF VISITING ENGINES HANDLING THE PUBLIC MUST BE PAID-UP CLUB MEMBERS DUE TO INSURANCE REGULATIONS.