In the News

TTI U28B 260

Historic U28B diesel locomotive acquired

The Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Transkentucky Transportation Railroad (TTI) 260, a U28B diesel locomotive, and has moved the historic engine to the museum’s campus in Union. TTI 260 is the last surviving example of a U28B locomotive in original

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IRM offered Chicago Aurora & Elgin interurban car

The Illinois Railway Museum has been given the opportunity to purchase an historic interurban car from the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railway. The interurban car, CA&E 453, was built in 1946 by the St. Louis Car Company. It ran between Chicago and the western suburbs from 1946 until July 3,

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IRM launches gift card program

Just in time for Father’s Day, the Illinois Railway Museum is offering gift cards for the very first time. These IRM-specific gift cards are available on-site at the museum store and online at www.irm.org. The gift cards may be used towards museum admissions, memberships, the Take the Throttle experience, and

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Construction begun on Multi-Purpose Building

The Illinois Railway Museum is pleased to announce that construction has begun on the Multi-Purpose Building (MPB), located along the museum’s Main Street Scene just west of the existing Schroeder Mercantile Store. The MPB will be the second building on the Main Street Scene and the first building constructed new,

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Shay 5 scheduled to operate Memorial Day Weekend

The first scheduled public operation of J. Neils Lumber Company 5, the Illinois Railway Museum’s Shay steam locomotive, is tentatively planned for the Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 26th and 27th. The plan is for the Shay to operate those days alongside Frisco 1630, the museum’s famous

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IRM awarded grant by John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust

The Illinois Railway Museum has been awarded a grant of $30,000 by the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust. The grant will fund the first part of a major rehabilitation and stabilization program concentrating on the museum’s network of overhead trolley wire and associated infrastructure. IRM has more track under

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Schedule for 2019 finalized

The Illinois Railway Museum is pleased to announce that its 2019 operating schedule has been finalized and published on its website at www.irm.org/calendar A list of special events planned for 2019 can be found on the museum’s hours and admission page. Popular first-time special events from last year including the

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IRM featured on PBS Museum Access

The Illinois Railway Museum is being featured on an episode of Museum Access, a PBS television program which goes behind the scenes of museums across the country. Episodes will air on PBS stations throughout the U.S. Past programs have featured museums including the Field Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan

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Fundraiser launched to save Milwaukee Road 126

The Illinois Railway Museum is fundraising to move Milwaukee Road “Buffeteria” 126 from Chamberlain, South Dakota, to the museum’s campus in Union, Illinois. The 126 is being donated to the museum, and IRM needs your help to get the car to Union. Donations can be made here. Milwaukee Road 126

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Museum now accessible via public transit

Starting in 2019, the Illinois Railway Museum will be accessible to public transit users through the McHenry County’s Dial-A-Ride program, MCRide. This service will offer transportation between the Metra stations in Woodstock and Crystal Lake and the museum in Union. MCRide added the museum as a destination option starting in

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