Illinois is Home to the Largest Railway Museum in the U.S.

A certain Illinois museum features hundreds of historic pieces, and during the holidays, it even offers a 40-minute winter train ride with Santa.

I'd be lying if I said I was a train expert, but that doesn't mean I don't love a good museum. Apparently, Illinois is home to the largest railway museum in the United States, housing over 500 pieces of historic railway and transit equipment. There are several different trains available to tour and ride, each with its own unique history. Simply dubbed The Illinois Railway Museum, this historical marker certainly has an interesting past.

Explore the Illinois Railway Museum

The Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) website explains that the museum was founded in 1953 by ten men who each contributed $100 to purchase Indiana Railroad 65, an interurban car that had just been retired. It was sited on the grounds of the Chicago Hardware Foundry in suburban North Chicago, along the tracks of the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee interurban line. The museum was initially known as the Illinois Electric Railway Museum, but the word "Electric" was removed in 1962.

By 1964, the IRM had over 40 pieces and had outgrown the space at the foundry. Thus, the cars and equipment were relocated to Union on a 26-acre plot. Since then, the museum has expanded to encompass 100 acres, adding 13 storage barns, visitor amenities, a streetcar loop, and, of course, more railroad pieces. Today, the collection includes everything from streetcars and trolley buses to electric locomotives and steam engines.

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Happy Holiday Railway in Illinois

The museum hosts several events throughout the year, including during the holidays. Each year at Christmas, IRM opens the Happy Holiday Railway, where families can enjoy a 40-minute train ride featuring an animated light show and holiday song presentation. Additionally, guests are offered treats and hot chocolate during the ride, while children on Santa's nice list receive a gift. It truly looks like the Polar Express (2004) came to life—minus Tom Hanks. You can learn how to get tickets by clicking HERE.