Railroad Days

Do you love trains? If the answer is “yes,” then Railroad Days is the event for you!

On September 21 and 22, come out to the Monticello Railway Museum for a train extravaganza! Four different trains representing different parts of railroading will be operating over our railroad all day on both days from 10 AM to 5 PM.

There will be several other things to do at our Nelson Crossing depot campus for the whole family - scroll down for more information!

Gates open at 9 AM each day. Trains run continually from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the last trains departing around 4 PM. This event will be held rain or shine!

Tickets are good for the entire day. Ride as many trains as you want, as many times as you want! Children ages 2 and under ride FREE with a paying adult or senior. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the museum on the day of the event. All ticket sales are final, and you must have a ticket to access the museum grounds.

Scroll down to see details on the trains we will be running at Railroad Days!

MIXED TRAIN
Historic steam locomotive No. 401 will be in operation pulling a “mixed train” consisting of antique passenger cars and an open air car. Built in 1907, No. 401 is one of just a handful of steam locomotives still operating in North America — come experience this rare locomotive for yourself!

CABOOSE HOP
The Caboose Hop offers a short ride on a caboose between the Nelson Crossing depot and our Camp Creek Yard, where one can view additional historic trains and our shop facilities. Please do not enter any shop buildings without a museum volunteer present.

FREIGHT TRAIN
Experience what it was like to ride on a typical 1960s-era freight train across the Illinois countryside. This train will consist of several historic freight cars and cabooses and will be pulled by one of our vintage diesel locomotives.

STREAMLINER
The Streamliner offers passengers an opportunity to ride on Art Deco streamlined passenger cars. Ride in a traditional coach car with comfortable seats, sit in a beautifully restored dining car from the late 1940s, or travel in style on board luxurious Business Car No. 7.

***EQUIPMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MUSEUM***

Other things to do at Railroad Days!

There will be other activities available at our Nelson Crossing campus during this event, including:

  • Petting Zoo

  • Face Painting

  • Bounce House

  • Food Trucks

  • Pedal Car Track

  • Barrel Train Rides

  • Model Railroad Displays

Be sure to visit historic downtown Monticello during your visit as well!