Connections
|
Over the years, Blackhawk has worked with and supported other groups to help us meet our preservation goals. Just as a terminal railroad provides numerous connections between other railroads, we present this list of organizations and places of interest in our service area. Using our historic Joliet/Lockport, Illinois base as a center-point, most of the attractions on this list are easily within a day's travel there and back. A good number are reachable by public transportation, including CTA, Metra and Amtrak. Being based near Chicago, the “Railroad Capital of the World,” has its advantages. So along with museums, historical societies and other like-minded organizations, we also list locations a railfan can go and watch the parade of trains traveling around the area. When visiting these locations, please respect the property and the rights of the people around you. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. |
|
Note that the Blackhawk Railway Historical Society is not responsible for issues you may have with these organizations, including problems with their websites, cancellations, delays and equipment substitutions.
Have a link you would like to share? Have you found a broken link? Please send us an E-mail.
Have a link you would like to share? Have you found a broken link? Please send us an E-mail.
Museums/Heritage RailroadsMuseum of Science and Industry
Hyde Park, Chicago, IL Pullman Factory and Company TownPullman, Chicago, IL Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad Freeport, IL Joliet Area Historical Museum Joliet, IL Kankakee Model RR Club and Museum Kankakee, IL Will County Historical Society Lockport, IL 
Mendota Union Depot Museum
Mendota, IL Monticello Railroad Museum Monticello, IL Wheels O' Time Museum Dunlap (Peoria), IL 
Fox River Trolley Museum
South Elgin, IL Illinois Railway Museum Union, IL Indiana Transportation Museum Noblesville, IN Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum North Judson, IN Old Threshers Reunion: Midwest Central Railroad/ Midwest Electric Railroad Mt. Pleasant, IA Little River Railroad Coldwater, MI New Buffalo Railroad Museum New Buffalo, MI Museum of Transportation Kirkwood, MO East Troy Electric Railroad Museum East Troy, WI National Railroad Museum Green Bay (Ashwaubenon), WI Mid-Continent Railway Museum North Freedom, WI Local Railroad Parks and Displays
The Museums at Lisle Station Park
Lisle, IL Park Forest/CN Rail-Fan Park Park Forest (Matteson), IL Rochelle Railroad Park Rochelle, IL Homewood Railroad Park Homewood, IL Garden RailroadsChicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Valparaiso, IN |
Historical SocietiesNational Railway Historical Society
The largest rail enthusiast organization in the United States Shore Line Interurban Historical Society Chicago's interurbans, streetcar lines, elevated railways and commuter railroads 20th Century Railroad Club Chicago's oldest rail travel group Central Electric Railfans' Association One of the nation's premier railfan organizations, hosting regular programs and events about electric railroading (both past and present). Seneca Historical Guild Rebuilding their 1912 Rock Island depot Chicago History Museum Cares for, showcases, and interprets millions of authentic pieces of Chicago and U.S. history. Center for Railroad Photography and Art The Center's purpose is to inform “the public about railroad photography and art through education, research and public service programs.” The Center selectively collects high-quality photographs and works of art related to railroading and railroad workers and hosts exhibitions and an annual conference. Local InterestChicago Railway History Month
The railroads have played an indisputable role in the development and growth of Chicago and the railroads continue to play, a vital role in the economic life and social fabric of the city. We seek official City of Chicago recognition of a month dedicated to honoring the history of railroads and their influence on the city. Sign the petition. Industrial Strength Photography Blackhawk member Dave Daruszka's photography is on the built environment, transportation and the vanishing industrial landscape. The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train A educational and historical project to recreate the famous railroad car that held the President's body on it's trip from Washington, DC to his final resting place in Springfield, IL Old Plank Road Trail A guide to the hiking and biking trail running from Chicago Heights to Joliet on the former Michigan Central "Joliet Cutoff" right-of-way. Matteson Connection CN's reconfigured junction between the former Illinois Central mainline and the former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Chicago Rail Junctions A railfan website looking at the busiest crossings in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. CREATE The Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program is a public-private partnership between railroads and government agencies to plan, finance and construct solutions to railroad bottlenecks in the Chicago area. The EJ&E Archive Not an organization, but a fan site full of information on one of our favorite local "fallen flag" railroads, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern. Raifan Calendar of Events A listing of all known rail and transit enthusiast events happening in and around the Chicago-Kenosha-Milwaukee-Rockford area. Chicago Southland Rail Guide A guide for railfanning and rail-centric attractions, restaurants and events provided in the south and southwest suburbs provided by the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau Food and LodgingGrand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station
Joliet, IL Flossmoor Station - Restaurant, Brewery and Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe Flossmoor, IL All Aboard Family Dining & Amusement Frankfort, IL Riley's Railhouse Bed & Breakfast Chesterton, IN Tyler's Tender Railroad Restaurant Schererville, IN Miniature Live Steam RailroadsHesston Steam Museum
Hesston, IN Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Glencoe (Wildwood), MO Milwaukee Zoo Railroad Milwaukee, WI Riverside and Great Northern Wisconsin Dells, WI |
Passenger RailroadsIntercity and Commuter Rail Services
Freight RailroadsClass I Freight Railroads
Operating Steam Locomotives
Nickel Plate 765
Fort Wayne Railway Historical Society New Haven, IN Little River Railroad 110 Coldwater, MI Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Railroading Institue Owosso, MI Milwaukee Road 261 Railroading Heritage of Midwest America Minneapolis, MN 
Soo Line 1003
Steam Locomotive Heritage Association Hartford, WI Norfolk and Western 611 Virginia Museum of Transportation Roanoke, VA Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 3751 San Bernadino Railroad Historical Society San Bernadino, CA Southern Pacific 4449 Oregon Rail Heritage Center Portland, OR Union Pacific 844, 3985 & 4014 Union Pacific Railroad Steam Program Cheyenne, WY |
