Purchase General Admission Tickets
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.
Fourth of July Weekend / Trolley Weekend highlights the electric railroads that once blanketed the Chicago area. From Saturday through Tuesday, enjoy special operations throughout the weekend. For the 2023 event, there will be different highlights each day:
- Saturday, July 1st, experience a never-before-seen spectacle: our 70 for 70 Trolley Pageant, featuring the largest collection of preserved traction equipment ever operated for a single event. We will celebrate the museum's 70th birthday with 70 pieces of electric railway equipment in a parade in the early afternoon.
- Sunday, July 2nd, enjoy a wide array of trains in operation such as two steam trains, including a mixed passenger and freight train; a diesel-powered caboose train; and several electric trains.
- Monday, July 3rd, take part in a reenactment of the abrupt end of service on the Chicago Aurora & Elgin on this date 66 years ago. Several trains will be swapped out for other trains at that time, affording you the opportunity to ride and photograph many different types of traction equipment throughout the day.
- Tuesday, July 4th, celebrate Independence Day at IRM and ride our steam-powered coach and caboose trains along with rarely seen electric equipment.
Hours / Admission / Operating Schedule Information:
Electric trains and Diesel or Steam trains will be operating.
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Saturday, July 1st (no steam or diesel trains this date):
- Electric railway equipment TBA
- Note that train rides will be suspended for approximately one hour in the early afternoon during the 70 for 70 Trolley Pageant
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Sunday, July 2nd:
- Frisco 1630 and Steam Coach Train ♿
- Shay 5 and Steam Mixed Train
- Diesel Caboose Train
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 749
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 431 & 460
- Chicago Transit Authority 22 & 41
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Monday, July 3rd:
- Wisconsin Electric Power L4 and Traction Coach Train ♿
- Shay 5 and Steam Caboose Train
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391
- Chicago & North Western 411 and Bi-Level Train (morning only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 36, 309, and 319 (morning only)
- Chicago Aurora & Elgin 409, 431, and 460 (morning only)
- Veracruz 19 (morning only)
- Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 251 and 749 (afternoon only) ♿
- Chicago Transit Authority 6655-6656 (afternoon only)
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374 (afternoon only)
Equipment Scheduled to Operate on Monday, July 4th:
- Frisco 1630 and Steam Coach Train ♿
- Shay 5 and Steam Caboose Train
- Chicago Rapid Transit 1797 and 1268 ♿
- Illinois Terminal 101
- Chicago Surface Lines 1374
- Chicago Transit Authority 4391
Daily Admission Rates:
Adults $16, Senior $14, Children $12
Museum Hours:
Trains operate hourly 11:00am to 4:00pm or more often as needed.
The Museum grounds open at 10:00am and close at 6:00pm.
The parking lot opens at 9:30am and closes at 6:30pm.
All equipment, schedules and prices subject to change without notice.
♿ = this train is wheelchair-accessible