When I lived in Mendota from 72-81 I lived next to the Milwaukee Road tracks. They were still running trains up to 1981 before they abandoned the line. Since I lived this close and seen these trains daily along with the Illinois Central and Burlington trains, this railroading got into my blood.  I had a great interest in train watching and as years went on I became interested in the history of these railroads particularly the Milw Rd.  I knew that this railroad company was the one who owned the Cherry coal mine (St. Paul coal mine no.2 to be exact). So if it wasn't for my interest in this railroad i don't know if the Model of the Cherrymine would have ever happened. 

I have been interested in local history for about twelve years. It was back in 1990 I started collecting photographs of the LaSalle County and vicinity.  I guess I have always had a knack for building models after having my own HO model train layout in the 1970's. My love for trains and history has been good to me. When Model Railroading wanted to feature my work in their popular magazine Imust say I was honored.  When the Booster Club at Cherry commissioned me to build a replica model of the St. Paul Coal Mine in Cherry, they treated me right and paid me a good fair price for all the work.

  I am currently Depot Master at the Mendota Museum and I take care of the Depot there and open the waiting room area twice a day for Amtrak travelers. (Take a Train somewhere, for it really is a blast!).

    Last but not least by any means is my love for music.  I have been playing guitar since i was ten or eleven and i still have a great love for the music in which guitar can produce. I have always had students who are eager to learn how to play the guitar. I recently have finished a guitar instruction book called GUITAR JOURNEY.

  I still like to perform for people and share my music with others.  I don't have any projects on the immediate horizon. Musically speaking it will be a year or so before I record again.  Model building wise, I have just completed a replica of Illinois Central's Two-stall engine house which once stood in LaSalle IL. It consists of the stone-engine house and seven tracks which were a portion of the railyard.  I keep telling myself I need to focus on my music 100% but somehow this addiction to railroad stuff keeps prying into my life.  Perhaps I am not where I want to be musically in my life, because i have sacrificed so much time and energy building these models and being an avid railfan photographer.  So if you would like to help support a struggling musician, check out some of my music CD's I have to offer. 

   About this Website, I hope you have enjoyed it. I believe I have one of the most complete collections of photos from the mine and have much more that I will try to add later.  If you have a question or request please send me an e-mail and i will see what I can do for you.

HO Scale Model of Mendota

I dont know how I ever found the time in my busy life,  to build an HO scale model of Mendota, and the Cherry Mine Model, but I did.  It helps by not watching TV at all.  Anyway, if you like model trains and hundred's of railroad memorbilia, come see the replica of the town of Mendota.  We also have a replica telegraph office. The Union Depot Railroad museum is located in Mendota IL. and is on the mainline of the BNSF, so you can do some train watching too!  We also have six Amtrak trains that pass through daily, four of them do stop. Mendota is a very historic railroad town and it is a great spot for picture taking. We do have the C.B&Q 4978 steam Locomotive with tender and Caboose and a Milwaukee Road Combine car which is being restored.

Open Weekends, Noon to 5:00 from Labor day to Memorial day and open wednesday's thru Sunday during the summer. (Memorial day through Labor day)   RAILROAD CROSSING DAYS IS ALWAYS ON FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND in June, so come up and ride the Gandy Dancer's express on the ole Illinois Central's Main Line of Mid America!

Check out the museum's website at http://www.mendotamuseums.org   We also have a train cam set up so you can watch trains from your computer!