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The Illinois Railway Museum will be operating special trains after dark this year on Labor Day Weekend. Saturday and Sunday, August 30th and 31st, steam and diesel trains will remain in operation long past the museum’s normal closing time of 6:00pm and will carry museum visitors until 9:30pm.
Take a Step Back in Time This Labor Day Weekend
The museum's goal is to provide a different, more immersive experience. Riding trains at night is very different than during the day and nighttime operations in previous years have provided a thrilling "time machine" experience to visitors. The museum's restored neon signs will be lit up and visitors will be able to see things not usually encountered during the day, like kerosene lanterns and headlights on all the trains. The Santa Fe sign from Michigan Avenue located at the front of the parking lot will be illuminated as will the recently-restored Union Pacific sign from Omaha. There will be many great twilight photo opportunities for photographers.
Nighttime operations are open to all visitors on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. The museum will also be operating trains during the day on Labor Day itself, including the steam train and electric streetcars.
Trains and Tunes Concert on Saturday Evening
Join us for an evening concert on Saturday, August 30th, at the museum! Stay "tuned" for more information.
Hours / Admission / Operating Schedule Information:
Electric trains and Diesel or Steam trains will be operating. Trolley buses are scheduled to operate on Saturday, August 30th only.
Museum Hours During This Event:
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00AM to 9:30PM (last train 8:30PM)
Monday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM (last train 4:00PM)
Daily Admission Rates:
Adults $20.00, Seniors and Youths $18.00, Children $16.00
Coming for all three days? Buy a membership and save!
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Saturday, August 30th:
- Diesel TBA and the Diesel Coach Train ♿
- J. Neils Lumber 5 and the Steam Coach-Caboose Train ♿ (daytime only)
- Chicago & North Western 411 and the Bi-Level Train
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 714 and 749 (daytime only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 431 and 460 (daytime only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 309 and 319 (evening only)
- Northwestern Elevated Railroad 24 (daytime only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 3142 (daytime only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391 (daytime only)
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374 (evening only)
- Veracruz 19 (evening only)
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Sunday, August 31st:
- Chicago Burlington & Quincy 9911A and the Nebraska Zephyr
- Diesel TBA and the Diesel Coach Train ♿
- Commonwealth Edison 4 and the Traction Caboose Train (daytime only)
- Chicago Rapid Transit 1754 and 1797 ♿ (daytime only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 4410 and 4412 ♿ (daytime only)
- Illinois Terminal 101 (evening only)
- Northwestern Elevated Railroad 24 (daytime only)
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374 (daytime only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391 (daytime only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 3142 (evening only)
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Monday, September 1st:
- Diesel TBA and the Diesel Coach Train ♿
- J. Neils Lumber 5 and the Steam Coach-Caboose Train ♿
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 714 and 749
- Chicago Rapid Transit 1754 and 1797 ♿
- Chicago Transit Authority 4410 and 4412
- Chicago Surface Lines 144
- Chicago Transit Authority 3142
All equipment, schedules and prices subject to change without notice.
♿ = this train is wheelchair-accessible