Monticello's Hidden Gem: 21-Year Restoration Project Unveils Historical Treasure

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MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — After dedicating many years to a labor of love, a Central Illinois man can finally see the fruits of his efforts.

John Downing has devoted his life to reviving a historic train engine at the Monticello Railway Museum. Now, for the first time since he embarked on this journey, the engine has roared back to life.

Downing acquired the engine in 2004 and has invested the last 21 years into its meticulous restoration. For eight of those years, he balanced a full-time job while dedicating every weekend to his passion project. Since retiring, he has committed himself to the endeavor daily, breathing new life into the once-dormant train.

The E8 locomotive, which Downing purchased from Nashville, previously served as a puller for a Broadway dinner train before he began its transformation.

He bought it for $40,000, and it’s now worth $200,000. Downing took every bit of rust off of it, replaced steel, and has hand built new door frames. It’s not just a machine to him, it’s a marker of a life well-traveled.

“I’ve always sort of wanted an engine. I’ve taken the train everywhere I can during my lifetime instead of flying, if the train would get me there,” Downing said. “Plus, I never married and don’t have a family, and this way, when I pass, I’m leaving something behind. And that’s going to be around for a lot longer than I’m going to be around.”

For what’s next, Downing is excited to give the engine a new paint job. You can see the engine at the Monticello Railway Museum.

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Monticello’s Hidden Gem: 21-Year Restoration Project Unveils Historical Treasure

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