Who it's for
All ages
Illinois Railway Museum
Published June 2026. Editorial oversight by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Photo by H. Michael Miley via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0 CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Photo by The original uploader was Slambo at English Wikipedia. via Wikidata, CC-BY-SA-2.0 CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Photo by H. Michael Miley via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0 CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Photo by H. Michael Miley via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0 CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Photo by H. Michael Miley via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0 CC-BY-SA-2.0
About Illinois Railway Museum
Don't just look at the trains, climb aboard and ride restored steam, diesel, and electric cars at America's largest railway museum.
Spanning a huge collection of preserved rail equipment, this Illinois institution lets families experience the golden age of rail rather than just read about it.
What you'll see and do - Take the "Museum in Motion" rides aboard historic steam, diesel, and electric cars. - Browse a collection that ranges from 1800s steam engines to retired CTA Red Line trains. - Explore interactive exhibits built for the whole family. - Catch special events like "Day Out With Thomas," aimed squarely at younger visitors.
Attraction Details
Opening Times
- Monday10 AM to 4 PM
- Tuesday10 AM to 4 PM
- Wednesday10 AM to 4 PM
- Thursday10 AM to 4 PM
- Friday10 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday10 AM to 5 PM
Events at Illinois Railway Museum
Day Out With Thomas
Join us for a day of unforgettable family fun with Thomas, Percy, Sir Topham Hatt, and their friends!
Memorial Day Weekend
May 25, 2026
The Railrunner 5K/10K
June 14, 2026
Trolley Weekend
June 27, 2026
4th of July Weekend
July 4, 2026
35th Annual Vintage Transport Extravaganza
August 2, 2026
Plan Your Visit
Family-tested advice for a smoother day at Illinois Railway Museum.
Getting there
Illinois Railway Museum is at 7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180. Check the operator's site for parking and transit options.
Pro tip
Pack snacks, refillable water bottles and a portable charger to keep the day running smoothly.
Directions
Illinois Railway Museum
7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180
This attraction has been claimed and verified.
Last updated 6/23/2026
Illinois Railway Museum Reviews
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