| The Illinois Railway Museum |
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 The Illinois Railway Museum, as you see it today, is the result of decades of effort by a dynamic group of dedicated volunteers. All of the buildings, track, locomotives and cars were assembled here at Union on what was once farmland. Our main line trackage was laid on the vacant right-of-way of the Elgin & Belvidere Electric railway. Why would rational adults freely contribute so much of their time and treasure to creating this repository of railroad history?To answer this question, we must remember that at one time in our nation's past the railroad industry was the largest private employer. With so many families supported by one enterprise, the widespread interest in that industry is understandable....manifesting itself in special interest groups devoted to various activities such as taking railroad pictures or publishing books on railroads, building railroad models or just "riding the rails," The Illinois Railway Museum is probably the ultimate railroad historian special interest group. Originally formed to preserve one important piece of rolling stock, it has evolved into an educational and historic preservation organization recreating possibly the largest operating demonstration railroad showcase on the North American continent. Mission The mission of the Illinois Railway Museum is to demonstrate the vital role railroads have played in the growth of the Chicago area as well as the United States through the preservation and operation of railroad and mass transit rolling stock and the display of related artifacts in a realistic setting. These exhibits provide an interactive, educational experience for visitors of all ages.  It has always been a prime desire of the Museum and its membership to display our historic collections to the public-at-large. Throughout IRM's existence, there has been a concerted outreach to the general public to gain recognition, acceptance and support. As a relatively new organization, some of the amenities normally expected of the fully funded major museums may not as yet exist here at Union. Rest assured that our goal is to make this presentation as professional as possible. With time, member "sweat-equity" and public participation substituting for full funding, our goal will be reached, as the attaining of our current recognized status will attest. Having invested almost forty years to establish our presence and recreate the railroad environment, the Illinois Railway Museum is remaining true to its goals and planning for the future! The Illinois Railway Museum is composed of many collections representing different aspects of railroading in the United States. The largest group consists of rolling stock - locomotives and cars - but we also have artifacts such as buildings, signals, telegraph/communications, tools, signage, cap badges, uniforms, tickets, buttons and of special interest to researchers, an archive of technical, operations and management documents - the Pullman Library. Rolling stock has always held a special fascination for railroad historians, indeed the saving of one special interurban was the catalyst for the founding of the Museum. Early on, Museum members contemplated a structured acquisition program to portray types of railroad activity through rolling stock. As developed through the years the plan was to acquire a representative piece for each important chronological period within major rolling stock type. IRM has been successful in acquiring many unique cars and locomotives including the Electroliner, the Nebraska Zephyr, the only remaining Chicago streamlined PCC streetcars, the first GP7 diesel engine, the first Fairbanks Morse locomotive constructed in their own plant, the only interurban sleeping car, two "Russian" locomotives, the oldest surviving street railway car, an 1859 horsecar and the last running pair of Illinois Central Suburban Electric Multiple Unit coaches. The two "Russian" locomotives deserve some explanation. First is Frisco 1630, a Decapod type, built for export to Russia during World War I, but undelivered because of the Bolshevik revolution. Second is the South Shore Line 803 "Little Joe" built for export after World War II, but not delivered due to the start of the Cold War. As the scope of the Museum has grown from interurban cars to include streetcars, rapid transit cars and then steam locomotives and their associated passenger and freight cars and eventually diesel locomotives, the variety of equipment has grown to encompass every major type. Also included are examples of mining, industrial and special purpose lines such as the Chicago Tunnel Company. Address: Illinois Railway Museum Post Office Box 427 7000 Olson Road Union, IL 60180 For details information:The Illinois Railway Museum |
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