Illinois Railway Museum — Attraction in Marengo

If you are a train enthusiast, this place must be heaven. But if you are only mildly interested (this includes me) you might be disappointed. I had nothing better to do the day I went and decided to take a chance. There is ample parking and the admission fee is reasonable. The experience is entirely self-directed, good luck finding anyone to ask questions or help you find things once on the sprawling grounds. You are handed only a very rudimentary map showing the relative locations of buildings/barns. You'll have no clue where to go to board any operating trains, which trains are operating that day, what time they run, etc. except by finding a volunteer to ask, who probably won't know for sure. Inside the barns cars are arranged in no particular order except by general type. Only a handful of cars can be entered, and they are not in a very good state. The barns are not well-lit, but the signage is large and easily legible. You get lots of arcane information about each individual train car, but you don't leave with a greater understanding of railroading as a whole, the history of lines, etc. As I say, this is a place for people who already know and are interested in that stuff. For others, you're just looking at old, strange train cars with absolutely no context.

On the day I went (Saturday on Labor Lay weekend), they were open late and there were a few operating trains. I found my way onto one (no idea what it would do or when it would depart) and waited. Eventually the small steam engine lumbered out of the station worked its way up to a speed of about 5 mph and stopped after about half a mile. Then it reversed and headed back toward the station at a similar snail's pace. It went past the station going the other way, then stopped after a half mile and started back the other way toward the station. To my horror, it went past the station again. (I remember thinking there must be a level of hell where you are forced to sit on this thing as it went back and forth for eternity.) Then it stopped just beyond the station and we were let off. I did not get on any other trains.

I don't want to be too down on this museum, because if you are a true train enthusiast and just want to get up close and see the old rolling stock, hear the train whistles, and be around other train enthusiasts this is the place for you. There are a lot of trains there. That's why it gets 4 stars. But I would think even these people would appreciate a handful of docents helping you get the most out of the experience or some overarching story and variety to the exhibits. If you are going hoping to spark an interest in something new and different or if you're bringing your children (especially little boys) hoping to enrich their childhood you might be disappointed. The children I saw there? None of them seemed to be thrilled. Who was excited? The old folks who were reminiscing about riding the electric buses or the Skokie Swift. They are not going to be...

The Railway Museum, often celebrated as a treasure trove for train enthusiasts and history buffs alike, offers a captivating journey through the evolution of railway transportation. Nestled in an accessible location, the museum boasts an extensive collection of locomotives, carriages, and railway memorabilia that spans several centuries.From the moment you step in, the museum's meticulous attention to detail is evident. The exhibits are not only well-preserved but also thoughtfully presented, providing a comprehensive look at the technological advancements and the socio-economic impact of railways over time. Interactive displays and informative plaques enhance the learning experience, making it both educational and engaging for visitors of all ages.One of the highlights is the collection of vintage steam engines, which showcases the grandeur and engineering marvels of a bygone era. Visitors can marvel at the intricacies of these machines, with some exhibits even allowing for a hands-on experience, giving a tangible sense of the power and innovation that fueled industrial progress.The museum also excels in its storytelling. Through multimedia presentations and well-curated artifacts, it brings to life the stories of the people who worked on and traveled by railways. This human element adds depth to the historical narrative, making the visit emotionally resonant.For families, the museum offers plenty of activities to keep children entertained, from miniature train rides to educational workshops. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to share interesting anecdotes and answer questions.In terms of amenities, the Railway Museum doesn't disappoint. A well-stocked gift shop provides a variety of railway-themed souvenirs, and the on-site café offers a comfortable place to relax and enjoy refreshments after a day of exploration.Overall, the Railway Museum is a must-visit destination. It successfully combines historical education with interactive fun, ensuring that visitors leave with a newfound appreciation for the railways that have...

They didn’t have nearly as many trains running as their website said they would for the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend 2025. But there was still plenty to see and ride. Nobody I spoke with knew what happened to the Chicago & Northwestern Bilevel (Gallery Car) train that was scheduled to run but never did, and it wasn’t visible from any of the publicly accessible areas. A couple other trains that were scheduled to run also didn’t, though similar things were substituted in for this so I can’t complain too much. I understand things break but the lack of information and transparency was disappointing.

My friend and I got food poisoning from the Central Diner, which was unpleasant. The food was terrible to begin with, and the “filtered” drinking fountain water comes out yellow. You’re better off walking the 25 minutes into town to one of the two places that serve real food there. Don’t bother with the Central Diner, it will save you from eating bad food and risking your health.

Also, it’s extremely difficult to get to and from the museum if you don’t have a car. The MCRide bus cannot be booked by the general public on weekends due to an absence of slots for anyone except ADA Paratransit passengers. After a ton of back and forth over the phone I learned that there are literally 0 trips available on weekends for the general public, making the MCRide service effectively useless. Wound up having to Uber from the Woodstock Metra station, and thankfully was able to get a ride from a friend of a friend back.

Still rating 3 stars because the museum has an impressive collection and is doing amazing work restoring old passenger railroad equipment and trolleybuses especially, including many things that don’t exist anywhere else anymore.

It’s just a shame that the place is so hard to get to and I literally got sick from the one item I ate there, and also they charge money to volunteer which is a practice I’ve never seen...