Illinois Railway Museum

The Illinois Railway Museum is the largest railway museum in the United States and one of the premier railroad preservation institutions in the world, housing a collection of more than 400 pieces of historic railroad equipment spanning 165 years of American transportation history. Located on a 65-acre campus in Union, Illinois, the museum operates a 4.9-mile demonstration railway that allows visitors to experience authentic rides on historic equipment ranging from 19th-century steam locomotives to mid-20th-century electric interurban cars to classic diesel freight and passenger locomotives. The collection includes rare and significant examples of steam locomotives, electric streetcars and interurbans, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance-of-way equipment from railroads across the country. Restoration work is ongoing throughout the facility, and visitors can observe craftspeople at work in the museum’s restoration shops. The museum hosts several major special events annually, including Electric Railway Days, Diesel Days, Steam Days, and the Halloweekend Haunted Rides. The Illinois Railway Museum is a nonprofit organization supported by dedicated volunteers and members who share a passion for preserving America’s extraordinary railroad heritage.