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Step Into History at an Illinois Railroad Museum

Published: February 28, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Illinois, with its rich railroading history, offers several fascinating railroad museums where enthusiasts and families alike can explore the golden age of trains. Whether you’re captivated by the powerful locomotives or intrigued by the historical narratives of America’s railroads, Illinois' railroad museums provide a comprehensive look into the evolution of rail transportation. This guide highlights some must-visit railroad museums across the state.

Exploring the state's museums provide an educational and nostalgic journey through a key part of America's industrial heritage. Whether riding aboard a vintage locomotive or examining meticulously restored rail cars, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how railroads shaped the past and continue to influence the present.

Chicago & North Western's business train rolls along the Illinois Railway Museum's track on October 8, 1988, led by F7A #402. Brian Rackley photo.

#### 1. **Illinois Railway Museum (Union, IL)**
The Illinois Railway Museum, located in Union, is the largest railroad museum in the United States. It spans over 100 acres, featuring more than 450 pieces of prototype equipment, making it an unparalleled destination for train enthusiasts. The museum’s extensive collection includes steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and more.

Visitors can take a ride on some of the historic trains, adding an interactive experience to their visit. The museum frequently hosts events like "Day Out With Thomas" and "Railroad Days," offering themed exhibits and activities for all ages. Be sure to explore their indoor and outdoor displays to appreciate the comprehensive view of railroading history.

Website: [irm.org](http://www.irm.org)

#### 2. **National Museum of Ship Models and Sea History (Sadorus, IL)**
While its primary focus is on ship models, this museum features a notable railroad exhibit, reflecting the interconnectivity of different modes of transport. Located in the small town of Sadorus, the museum offers an interesting perspective on how railroads complemented shipping and the impact of these industries on commerce and travel.

Though smaller than other attractions, the exhibit offers unique insights and is an excellent stop for those interested in both maritime and railroad history.

Website: [shipmodel.org](http://www.shipmodel.org)

#### 3. **Monticello Railway Museum (Monticello, IL)**
Nestled in Central Illinois, the Monticello Railway Museum boasts an impressive collection of historic railway equipment. Known for its operation of vintage diesel and steam trains, the museum offers a range of train rides during the warmer months, allowing visitors to experience rail travel as it was in the past.

One of the museum’s highlights is the “Soo Line 1003,” a restored steam locomotive that epitomizes the power and allure of steam railroading. The museum also hosts several events throughout the year, including “Railroad Days” and seasonal themed rides.

Website: [mrym.org](http://www.mrym.org)

#### 4. **Chicago History Museum (Chicago, IL)**
Railroads played a crucial role in Chicago's development into a major American hub. While the Chicago History Museum is not a dedicated railroad museum, it offers significant exhibits related to the city’s railroad evolution. The museum houses extensive information and artifacts showcasing how railroads shaped Chicago’s urban landscape and economy.

The "Railroads and the Making of Modern America" exhibit encapsulates the transformative impact of rail travel on trade and everyday life, making it a worthwhile stop for history buffs.

Website: [chicagohistory.org](http://www.chicagohistory.org)

#### 5. **Fox River Trolley Museum (South Elgin, IL)**
For a slightly different experience, the Fox River Trolley Museum focuses on the streetcars and interurban electric railways that were once prevalent in urban and suburban areas. This museum offers scenic rides along the Fox River on historic electric trolleys, providing a glimpse into commuter travel from the early 20th century.

The museum is steeped in local history and is perfect for families and those interested in the less-heralded aspects of railroading.

Museum Guide

Amboy Depot Museum

The Amboy Depot Museum, opened in 2003, is located within the town's restored former Illinois Central depot which acted as a division headquarters until 1894. The beautiful brick and stone two-story facility was completed in 1876.

The organization has also preserved the town's freight depot, a somewhat newer wooden structure built in 1904. Today, trains no longer run through Amboy but the facility does house a nice collection of displays for visitors to see and peruse.

Their most noteworthy piece is a preserved steam locomotive; Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 #8376 (listed as a Class P-5-g) that was manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1929. It sits on display in front of the building along the former right-of-way. If you are interested in planning a visit the museum is open most weeks Thursday through Sunday.

Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Museum

As its name suggest, this museum, maintained by the Elizabeth Historical Society, is housed in the restored Chicago Great Western depot at Elizabeth (a wooden structure completed in 1888) which features static displays and a caboose in front of the building. They are open each weekend from May through October.

Galesburg Railroad Museum

Located in Galesburg this museum houses a large collection of rolling stock and displays.They state their mission as "to promote the research, exploration, and discovery of the history of the railroad industry as it applies to Galesburg and Western Illinois. Its objective is to gather and preserve artifacts, historical documents, data, letters, accounts, and articles as it relates to the history of the local railroad." 

Since the town was predominantly served by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy many of the pieces carry a heritage from that railroad. 

Their most highly regarded is Burlington 4-6-4 #3006 (Class S-4), a 1930 product of the Baldwin Locomotive Works.  It is officially owned by the city of Galesburg and on loan to the museum for display.  Throughout the year the museum holds a few events on the grounds.  They are open from late April through early September

Historic Greenup Depot

This museum is housed inside the Pennsylvania Railroad's preserved and restored depot (originally built for the St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute), relocated from its original location to 204 West Cumberland Street.

It was last owned by the Illinois Central which sold the structure to the Cumberland County Historical & Genealogical Society in 1973. After moving from place to place it was opened to the public in 1992.

The building, designed in the Victorian style, is a two-story structure completed in 1870. Housed inside are various railroad displays ranging from a teletype-writer and living quarters to other various displays.

Also be sure and visit their model railroad layout and diorama. The museum free of charge although donations are accepted. They are open Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year.

Historic Pullman Foundation

This unique museum is located in Chicago at the industrial town built by George Pullman for his once expansive Pullman Palace Car Company.

The Pullman Company, from its humble beginnings in the late 1860s, became the face of the passenger industry during railroadings' "Golden Age."

The company became famous for its luxurious cars, especially its sleeping cars, although during rail travel's peak years several chose Pullman to equip their entire trains, which were also staffed by Pullman personnel (many railroads were proud of this fact by stating their trains were "All Pullman" equipped).

The company began facing stiff competition when the Budd Company, and their popular stainless-steel streamlined equipment, hit the rails during the 1930's. Several purchased their designs, most notably the Santa Fe and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy for trains like the California Zephyr and Super Chief.

Not surprisingly, Pullman died with the passenger train and exited the manufacturing business before 1970. The company attempted to sustain itself as a freight car builder but this proved only marginally successful.

Kankakee Railroad Museum

This museum is operated by the Kankakee Model Railroad Club, housed within the town's restored Illinois Central brick depot, completed in 1898.

The two-story facility is still an active Amtrak stop with the museum located at the building's north end.
Inside the museum you can find various historic artifacts and displays while a large model train layout is situated in the main room. Outside they have a preserved Pullman car (manufactured in 1947) bedecked in stainless steel and named "City of Kankakee."

This rail car actually features a restored interior which the group states can be rented for various functions such as "birthday parties, anniversary parties, bridal showers, baby showers, Christmas parties, etc." The museum is open most weeks from Friday through Sunday. It is closed during all major holidays.

Museum Of Science & Industry

One of Chicago's most noted landmarks, located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, is the Museum Of Science & Industry. The facility first opened to the public in 1933 and utilizes the former Palace of Fine Arts featured during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Among their impressive pieces of history includes a replica coal mine, German "U-Boat" U-505 (seized during the war), command module of Apollo 8, and the second streamlined passenger train ever put into service, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's world-renowned Zephyr 9900 (otherwise known as the Pioneer Zephyr).

It was the concept of the railroad's then president Ralph Budd and while beaten to the punch by Union Pacific's M-10000 it proved more successful with its diesel engine, improved reliability, and eye-catching, stainless steel carbody.
While there be sure and visit the museum's 3,500-square foot model train layout! They are open nearly year-round except major holidays.

Rossville Depot Museum

This museum, operated by the Danville Junction Chapter/National Railway Historical Society, is located inside the restored Chicago & Eastern Illinois brick depot at Rossville, a structure completed and opened in 1903. Their collection is largely from the C&EI; but also includes items from other railroads. They are open during the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Stonefort Depot Museum

Based within the town of Stonefort's restored Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis depot (completed in 189o) is this museum which features a small collection of artifacts.

The so-called CCC&StL;, better known as the "Big Four" (a nickname describing the four major cities it linked) was formed on June 30, 1889 through the merger of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway; Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railway; and the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway.

It was a long-time subsidiary of the New York Central and at its peak contained an impressive system covering nearly 2,400 miles. The "Big Four" comprised most of the NYC's network in western Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

Interestingly, unlike most such museums this one is not operated by a historical society or train enthusiast group. Instead, it is owned by a single individual, Linda Blackman, which lovingly maintains the depot. It has opening hours on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Union Depot Railroad Museum

This museum, located in Mendota, is housed within a section of the town's original union station built by the Illinois Central and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in 1886. Later, when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (the future Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific, better remembered as "The Milwaukee Road") arrived in 1904 it also became a tenant. According to the group's mission statement:

"The purpose of the Union Depot Railroad Museum is to preserve and share with others the Mendota area's rich railroad history which includes the CB&Q, the Illinois Central, and the Milwaukee Road. We hope to accomplish this through providing an assortment of varied railroad related experiences including interactive displays and fresh programs and displays. This will attract more people to our facilities, grow our membership, and continue to raise the funds necessary for our museum to succeed long into the future."

Along with various historic displays they also have rolling stock on-hand (such as a 1949 dining car manufactured by Pullman-Standard for Southern Pacific).

Wheels O' Time Museum

The Wheels O' Time Museum is located in Dunlap and offers a wide range of transportation-related displays, including a collection of historic rolling stock. It all began in 1977 and the organization officially opened to the public in 1983.

Today, they state their collection has grown from one building to five that includes a total of 30,000 square feet of preserved artifacts. If you have any interest in historic cars, water vessels, models, and much more it can all be found at this museum!

Their railroad collection includes a combine car belonging to the Milwaukee Road, a Toledo, Peoria & Western caboose, Pullman cars under restoration, and a switcher locomotive manufactured by the Plymouth Locomotive Works. Their prized piece is Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 4-6-2 #886 (Class P-31), built by the American Locomotive Company in 1909.