Local Museums & Tourist Railroads
The American Midwest, particularly around Chicago, is fortunate to feature a wide variety of railroad museums and tourist railroads, often staffed by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about railroading and historic preservation.
We are highlighting these organizations because they are near (and dear) to us and our society's base of operations. All of these experiences are located within a reasonable day's drive (or maybe an overnight trip) from Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Many of these organizations with operating railroads also offer themed rides aimed towards families with younger children: Easter Bunny Trains, Pumpkin Trains, Ghost Trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Christmas/Santa Trains
Places marked OPERATING, offer running trains on a regular or limited schedule. Places marked NON-OPERATING do not.
Click on the links to their individual websites and find out the days and hours they are open, along with the exhibits and events they present.
For information about railroad museums and tourist railroads outside our area, and to explore the amazing variety of experiences available, we suggest starting by searching the Internet. You can peruse the list of member organizations at the Heritage Rail Alliance, download the NRHS Directory of Rail Attractions, or look into some of the free online content, or the Tourist Trains Guide softcover book at Trains.com
We are highlighting these organizations because they are near (and dear) to us and our society's base of operations. All of these experiences are located within a reasonable day's drive (or maybe an overnight trip) from Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Many of these organizations with operating railroads also offer themed rides aimed towards families with younger children: Easter Bunny Trains, Pumpkin Trains, Ghost Trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Christmas/Santa Trains
Places marked OPERATING, offer running trains on a regular or limited schedule. Places marked NON-OPERATING do not.
Click on the links to their individual websites and find out the days and hours they are open, along with the exhibits and events they present.
For information about railroad museums and tourist railroads outside our area, and to explore the amazing variety of experiences available, we suggest starting by searching the Internet. You can peruse the list of member organizations at the Heritage Rail Alliance, download the NRHS Directory of Rail Attractions, or look into some of the free online content, or the Tourist Trains Guide softcover book at Trains.com
Illinois
Indiana
|
OPERATING
Whitewater Valley Railroad
Connersville, IN French Lick Scenic Railway Rail Trolley at French Lick Resort French Lick, IN Hesston Steam Museum Hesston, IN Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society New Haven (Fort Wayne), IN Nickel Plate Express Nobleville, IN Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
North Judson, IN Indiana Rail Experience - featuring Nickel Plate 765 and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Multiple locations in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio, and southern Michigan |
NON-OPERATING
National New York Central Railroad Museum
Elkhart, IN Griffith Historical Society Griffith, IN "All Aboard!" at Children's Museum of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Barker Depot Museum Michigan City, IN (Under development, no public facilities) South Shore Line Museum Project Michigan City, IN (Under development, no public facilities) Monon Connection Museum Monon, IN |
Iowa
Michigan
|
Little River Railroad
Coldwater, MI Coopersville & Marne Railway Coopersville, MI Henry Ford MuseumDearborn, MI |
Huckleberry Railroad & Crossroads Village
Flint, MI New Buffalo Railroad Museum New Buffalo, MI Steam Railroading Institute (Home of Pere Marquette 1225) Owosso, MI |
Wisconsin
|
Caledonia Historical Village
Caledonia, WI East Troy Electric Railroad Museum East Troy, WI National Railroad Museum Green Bay, WI Kenosha Streetcar Society Kenosha, WI |
Lumberjack Steam Train & Camp 5 Museum
Laona, WI Mid-Continent Railway Museum North Freedom, WI Wisconsin Great Northern Spooner, WI |
Missouri
|
St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway
Jackson, MO |