Illinois Railway MuseumAbout Illinois Railway Museum
The Illinois Railway Museum is a large railway preservation museum located in Union, Illinois, that focuses on historic American and international rail and streetcar equipment. It was founded in 1953 and has grown into one of the largest collections of operating railway equipment in the United States.
The museum began as a volunteer preservation effort in 1953 and expanded as groups donated equipment and funds for restoration and display. Over decades the organization added restoration workshops, display sheds and demonstration trackage to preserve operating examples of rail technology and to present them in working order.
The museum sits in the village of Union in northern Illinois, in a rural setting northwest of the Chicago metropolitan area and close to small towns in McHenry County.
- Founding date: Founded in 1953 as a preservation society and now one of the largest railroad museums in North America with several hundred pieces of rolling stock.
- Visitor experience: Demonstration rides operate on many weekends and during special events, providing authentic onboard experiences and seasonal programs.
What to See#
- Museum grounds and workshops: Located on a rural campus in Union, Illinois, with large outdoor exhibition yards and track used for demonstration runs; the site includes sheltered display buildings and restoration workshops.
- Operating heritage trains: Regularly operating standard-gauge and narrow-gauge heritage trains on demonstration track, giving rides to visitors on event days and weekends.
- Collection highlights: A broad collection of streetcars, interurban cars, locomotives and passenger cars spanning late 19th to mid 20th century North American and European equipment, often displayed by type or era.
Best Time to Visit Illinois Railway Museum
Visiting between late spring and early autumn offers the fullest access to the Illinois Railway Museum's outdoor equipment and event programmes.
Weather & Climate near Illinois Railway Museum
Illinois Railway Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (920 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -12° - -2° | -14° | 37 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -9° - 1° | -10° | 31 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 7° | -2° | 63 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 2° - 15° | 6° | 93 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 109 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 29° | 23° | 102 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 28° | 21° | 107 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 23° | 17° | 96 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 17° | 11° | 66 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 8° | -1° | 70 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 0° | -10° | 52 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Illinois Railway Museum
The museum is north-west of Chicago in Union, Illinois, off US-20 and local roads (Olson Rd). It is easiest reached by car; limited shuttle services or group tours operate from Chicago during major events. Check the museum website for special event schedules and directions.
Tips for Visiting Illinois Railway Museum
- Arrive early on event or special-operation weekends-some exhibits and rides run on timed schedules.
- Wear shoes suitable for workshop exhibits and the outdoor demonstration areas.
- Check the museum calendar for diesel or steam operation days when restoration crews run locomotives.