Monticello Railway Museum

08/30/2026

Railroad Days is September 19th & 20th

Spend the weekend surrounded by railroad history at the Monticello Railway Museum during Railroad Days!

Your all-day ticket gives you the chance to explore the museum grounds, see historic railroad equipment up close and enjoy train rides throughout the day. Bring the whole family and experience the sights and sounds of railroading in Central Illinois.

Book your tickets now at mrym.org!

Monticello Railway Museum EVENTS AND TICKETS WELCOME ABOARD!Welcome to the Monticello Railway Museum, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization in central Illinois with an operational railroad and yard open to the public. For the 2026 season, we will be offering train rides on Saturdays and Sundays...

08/27/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our friend and longtime Monticello Railway Museum member, Steve Ge**er.

For many years, Steve was an important part of the museum’s operations. Whether at the controls of a locomotive during a special event train or introducing students to railroading during School Days, Steve was always proud to share his love of railroading and the museum. His calm presence, dedication and genuine kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Steve's dedication to the Monticello Railway Museum was evident in everything he did. He gave his time, shared his passion for railroading and helped create meaningful experiences for visitors and fellow volunteers alike. While his presence will be deeply missed, the memories he helped create and the friendships he built will remain an enduring part of our museum family.

Thank you, Steve, for the countless hours you gave, the memories you helped create and the passion you shared with so many.

Services are pending.

08/24/2026

This past Saturday, the Monticello Railway Museum and the Monticello Railway Museum Foundation participated in the Railroads Helping Railroads: One Day for Whitewater Challenge, dedicating the day’s ticket and gift shop revenue to our neighbors to the east at the Whitewater Valley Railroad following the catastrophic flooding they recently experienced.

Thanks to everyone who rode with us and those who contributed additional donations, more than $4,000 was raised to help the Whitewater Valley Railroad with their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

We are grateful to everyone who made this possible. Every ticket purchased and every donation made was a reminder that railroad preservation is about more than preserving history, it’s also about supporting each other.

Whitewater Valley still has a long road ahead and you can continue to support their recovery by donating directly through their flood relief fund: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/whitewater-valley-railroad-flood-relief

From everyone at the Monticello Railway Museum and the Monticello Railway Museum Foundation, thank you for helping us help one of our own.

08/21/2026

Perfect Weather for a Train Ride!

The weather is looking perfect this weekend, making it a great time to get out and enjoy a train ride at the Monticello Railway Museum!

This Saturday, August 22nd, your train ride will also help an organization in need. As part of our Railroads Helping Railroads: One Day for Whitewater effort, all ticket revenue from Saturday will be donated to the Whitewater Valley Railroad to aid in their recovery from the recent catastrophic flooding.

Come spend the day with us, enjoy a scenic train ride through the Central Illinois countryside and help support our neighbors to the east when they need it most.

Book your tickets today at mrym.org!

08/20/2026

Autumn Limited – September 26th & 27th!

Make some fall memories at the Monticello Railway Museum with the Autumn Limited, a family-friendly fall experience filled with trains, pumpkins and plenty of fun!

Enjoy a scenic train ride through the Central Illinois countryside, then keep the fall fun going when you return to the museum! Head over to the pumpkin patch, where every rider gets to choose their own pumpkin to take home.

Spend the rest of the day enjoying family-friendly activities around the museum grounds, including hayrack rides, barrel train rides, pedal cars, bounce houses and more. Your ticket includes access to the activities all day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy everything the Autumn Limited has to offer!

Book your fall experience now at mrym.org!

08/18/2026

Railroads Helping Railroads: One Day for Whitewater

This Saturday, August 22nd, your train ride at the Monticello Railway Museum will mean a little more. The Monticello Railway Museum will donate the day’s ticket revenue to help our neighbors to the east at the Whitewater Valley Railroad recover from the devastating flooding that struck their railroad last week.

By simply spending the day with us, you’ll be helping another historic railroad recover and rebuild. Bring the family, enjoy a train ride through the Central Illinois countryside, explore the museum and know that your ticket is helping support a fellow organization in a time of need.

The railroad preservation community has always come together when it matters most and this Saturday, you can be part of that effort.

Come ride with us and help Whitewater Valley Railroad get back on track.

Book your tickets at mrym.org!

If you would like to make an individual donation to help the Whitewater Valley Railroad with their flood recovery efforts, you can donate here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/whitewater-valley-railroad-flood-relief

08/17/2026

Railroads Helping Railroads: One Day for Whitewater

Last week, our friends at the Whitewater Valley Railroad were hit by catastrophic flooding. When something like this happens, the railroad preservation community has an opportunity to come together and help one of our own.

The Monticello Railway Museum and the Monticello Railway Museum Foundation in Monticello, Illinois are launching the Railroads Helping Railroads: One Day for Whitewater Challenge. We are committing one day of our ticket revenue to support the Whitewater Valley Railroad and their recovery efforts and we're challenging other railroad museums, tourist railroads and preservation organizations across the country to join us.

The idea is simple: pick one operating day and donate that day's ticket revenue to the Whitewater Valley Railroad's recovery efforts. Whether your organization carries 50 passengers or 500, every ticket can help make a difference.

Historic railroading survives because people step up when they're needed. We may preserve different equipment, operate in different communities and tell different stories, but we're all part of the same preservation family.

The Monticello Railway Museum and the Monticello Railway Museum Foundation are in. Who's next? Choose a day, join the challenge and help us show what the railroad preservation community can accomplish when we come together. Let's see how far down the tracks we can take this.

If you would like to make an individual donation to help the Whitewater Valley Railroad with their flood recovery efforts, you can donate here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/whitewater-valley-railroad-flood-relief

08/16/2026

All Aboard for Railroad Days!

Join us September 19th and 20th for Railroad Days at the Monticello Railway Museum! Two days of trains, historic equipment and railroading action make this a weekend you won't want to miss.

Bring the whole family and spend the day experiencing railroad history in motion. Your ticket is good all day, giving you plenty of time to explore the museum grounds, get an up-close look at pieces from our collection and enjoy train rides through the Central Illinois countryside.

Railroad Days is a family-friendly weekend with something for train fans of all ages!

Book your tickets now at mrym.org!

08/15/2026

Tractors & Trains Is Still a GO Today!

A little rain isn’t stopping the fun! Tractors & Trains is still on for today, August 15th, at the Monticello Railway Museum.

The rain should be moving out by 10:00 AM, and trains will run as scheduled throughout the day. Come out, check out the tractors on display, and enjoy a train ride through the Central Illinois countryside.

Book your tickets at mrym.org!

We’ll see you at the museum!

08/12/2026

Tractors & Trains is this Saturday!

Join us at the Monticello Railway Museum this Saturday, August 15th, for a day where tractors and railroad history come together!

Tractors will be rolling onto the museum grounds for a full day of displays alongside our operating trains. Come see different makes and models and enjoy a train ride while you’re here.

Interested in displaying a tractor? We’d love to have you! Email [email protected] for more information. What are you planning to bring? Drop it in the comments below!

Book your tickets now at mrym.org!