Illinois Railway Museum

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Illinois Railway Museum The Illinois Railway Museum in Union, McHenry County, Illinois is America's largest railway museum. The official website for IRM is at: http://www.irm.org/
(2770)

This is the official page for the Illinois Railway Museum.

🎃 The Pumpkin Train is back! 🚋Take a Halloween streetcar to our pumpkin patch, pick your pumpkin, and snap photos on the...
10/02/2026

🎃 The Pumpkin Train is back! 🚋
Take a Halloween streetcar to our pumpkin patch, pick your pumpkin, and snap photos on the hay wagon.👻
📅 Weekends Oct 10–25 | 10 AM–5 PM�🎟️ https://www.irm.org/event/pumpkin-train/

10/02/2026

🎄🚂 Volunteers needed for Happy Holiday Railway!

Help us bring holiday magic to thousands of families at the Illinois Railway Museum this season. There are roles for every interest and comfort level. No railroad experience needed. Shifts are flexible, and you'll meet great people along the way.

HHR opens in mid-November. Reach out now so we can get you trained!
📧 [email protected]

The Happy Holiday Railway is back! Climb aboard a train glowing with thousands of lights for a festive ride through the ...
10/01/2026

The Happy Holiday Railway is back! Climb aboard a train glowing with thousands of lights for a festive ride through the countryside at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Inside, the cars come alive with our onboard light show set to holiday music while Santa visits with the kids on the trip.
Rides run Nov 27 – Dec 21.
Pick your ride: https://www.irm.org/event/happy-holiday-railway/

LIMITED TICKETS REMAINING! A very limited number of tickets are still available for the Illinois Terminal Night Photo Sh...
09/30/2026

LIMITED TICKETS REMAINING! A very limited number of tickets are still available for the Illinois Terminal Night Photo Shoot this Saturday, October 3rd, at 5:00 PM.
This special event will feature classic Illinois Terminal Railroad Company equipment, including diesel locomotive #1605, electric freight locomotive #1565, interurban car #101, and more (equipment subject to mechanical availability). All pieces will be staged at locations around the property for evening and after‑dark photography, with actors in era‑appropriate attire.
Lighting and coordination will be provided by David Zeman and Ralph Durham.
Tickets: $125 per person
Requirements: Participants must bring a tripod and a camera with manual control of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO (or film).
Tickets and full details: https://tickets.irm.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cws&c=ITPhoto

It’s always great to welcome our elected officials to IRM! Last weekend, we were joined by Illinois State Senator Syvers...
09/30/2026

It’s always great to welcome our elected officials to IRM! Last weekend, we were joined by Illinois State Senator Syverson. Senator Syverson came to learn more about Tracks to Tomorrow, our capital campaign and vision for the future of the museum.

As a member of the Illinois Senate Special Committee on Tourism, he knows the important role museums and attractions play in bringing visitors to our communities. We appreciated the opportunity to share IRM’s plans, our impact in McHenry County, and what we’re building toward for the future.

Thanks for visiting, Senator Syverson! You’re a natural streetcar operator!

Our bus collection has grown again! Cincinnati Newport & Covington 283, a 1958-vintage GM diesel bus, arrived at IRM yes...
09/23/2026

Our bus collection has grown again! Cincinnati Newport & Covington 283, a 1958-vintage GM diesel bus, arrived at IRM yesterday. This bus retired the last trolley buses from the CN&C system, which operated over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. Learn more about 283's history at www.irm.org/in-the-news/1958-gm-bus-arrives

09/18/2026

🌧️ Weekend Weather Update: Fireworks Canceled

Due to the forecast for thunderstorms Saturday evening, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the fireworks planned for Showcase Weekend.

But Showcase Weekend is still ON! 🚂
Come enjoy a full day at the Illinois Railway Museum, explore the exhibits, see the trains in action, and experience everything Showcase Weekend has to offer.

And thanks to our partnership with the Village of Union, Union residents will still receive complimentary admission to IRM with proof of residency.

We’re disappointed that we won’t be able to light up the sky, but we hope you’ll still join us for a great day at the museum!

Thank you for understanding, and we’ll see you this weekend!

Museum Showcase Weekend is this weekend at IRM! Relax aboard our opulent Pullman train, ride steam and electric trains, ...
09/18/2026

Museum Showcase Weekend is this weekend at IRM! Relax aboard our opulent Pullman train, ride steam and electric trains, and enjoy an immersive and unforgettable nighttime train ride Saturday evening. For more info and a list of planned trains, visit www.irm.org/event/museum-showcase-weekend
Photo by Bryan Burton Photography

Attention, photographers! A limited number of tickets remain for the upcoming Illinois Terminal Night Photo Shoot on Oct...
09/17/2026

Attention, photographers! A limited number of tickets remain for the upcoming Illinois Terminal Night Photo Shoot on October 3rd at 5:00PM. For this event, various vintage pieces of electric and diesel Illinois Terminal Railroad Company equipment will be staged for evening and after-dark photos at locations around the property with actors dressed in era-appropriate attire. Coordination and lighting will be provided by David Zeman and Ralph Durham. Tickets are $125 per person and attendance is limited. Note: participants are required to bring their own tripod and have a camera on which they can manually control shutter speed, aperture, and ISO (or film). Tickets and more information can be found at: https://tickets.irm.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=cws&c=ITPhoto

All aboard for the North Pole! Tickets are on sale now for the Happy Holiday Railway — a 40-minute ride through the wint...
09/04/2026

All aboard for the North Pole! Tickets are on sale now for the Happy Holiday Railway — a 40-minute ride through the winter countryside with Santa himself, plus hot chocolate, cookies, an animated light show, and a gift for every child on the good list. Ten dates only, starting Black Friday, November 27, with fireworks at 5:45 PM opening weekend. Tickets: https://www.irm.org/event/happy-holiday-railway/

Address

7000 Olson Road
Union, IL
60180

Telephone

+18159234000

Website

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