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Before you visit, even if you have been a regular visitor in the past, please take the time to review the procedures and policies listed at this link.
The Illinois Railway Museum will be operating special trains after dark this year on Labor Day Weekend. Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, 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.
Hours / Admission / Operating Schedule Information:
Electric trains and Diesel or Steam trains will be operating. Trolley buses will operate on Saturday, September 2nd.
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Friday, September 1st:
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Saturday, September 2nd:
- Frisco 1630 and Steam Coach Train
- Shay 5 and Steam Caboose Train (Daytime Only)
- Chicago & North Western 411 and C&NW Bi-Level Train (Daytime Only)
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 714 and 749 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391 (Daytime Only)
- Veracruz 19 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 36 and 319 (Evening Only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 431 and 460 (Evening Only)
- Illinois Terminal 101 (Evening Only)
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374 (Evening Only)
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Sunday, September 3rd:
- Frisco 1630 and Steam Coach Train
- Chicago Burlington Quincy 9911A and the Nebraska Zephyr
- Shay 5 and Steam Caboose Train (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Rapid Transit 1268 and 1797 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 714 and 749 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374 (Daytime Only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 431 and 460 (Evening Only)
- Chicago Transit Authority 3142 (Evening Only)
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Monday, September 4th:
- Frisco 1630 and Steam Coach Train
- Chicago Burlington Quincy 9911A and the Nebraska Zephyr
- Shay 5 and Steam Mixed Train
- Chicago Rapid Transit 1268 and 1797
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374
Daily Admission Rates:
Adults $18, Senior $16, Children $14
Museum Hours During This Event:
Saturday and Sunday: Trains operate every 30 minutes 11:00am to 8:30pm or more often as needed.
Friday and Monday: Trains operate every 30 minutes 11:00am to 5:00pm or more often as needed.
The Museum grounds open at 10:00am and close one hour after the last train departure.
The parking lot opens at 9:30am and closes 30 minutes after the grounds close.
All equipment, schedules and prices subject to change without notice.
= this train is wheelchair-accessible