Local Railroad Attractions
Our region's railroad history is acknowledged by many communities...most of these towns owe their existence to the railroad. There are also numerous pieces of equipment and buildings throughout the region -- too many to list here, but each with their own story to tell.
For a list of regional railroad museums, go to our Regional Railroad Museums page.
Do you have a link to a place you would like to share? Have you found a broken link? Please send us an E-mail.
For a list of regional railroad museums, go to our Regional Railroad Museums page.
Do you have a link to a place you would like to share? Have you found a broken link? Please send us an E-mail.
Railroad Viewing Parks
Homewood Railroad Park
Homewood, IL 
Tower B-12
Franklin Park, IL 
Park Forest/CN Rail-Fan Park
Park Forest (Matteson), IL 
Rochelle Railroad Park
Rochelle, IL 
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Local Interest
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. Recognizing the importance of the railroads to the history and growth of the city of Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has signed an official proclamation declaring October as Chicago Railroad History Month.
Chicago Junction Radio Show A monthly 1-hour radio program produced at the studios of the Windy City Hometown Entertainment Network featuring a round table discussion of all aspects of railroading and modeling. Programs can be heard on Jack FM 89.7 WRHS FM Norridge and podcasts of all shows can be found at the Windy City Hometown Entertainment Network website. Chicago Rail Junctions A railfan website looking at the busiest crossings in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. 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 Industrial Strength Photography Blackhawk member Dave Daruszka's photography is on the built environment, transportation and the vanishing industrial landscape. Matteson Connection CN's reconfigured junction between the former Illinois Central mainline and the former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 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. Raifan Calendar of Events A listing of all known rail and transit enthusiast events happening in and around the Chicago-Kenosha-Milwaukee-Rockford area. Miniature Live Steam Railroads
Hesston Steam Museum
Hesston, IN Lake Forest Live Steamers Railway Museum Lake Forest, IL Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Glencoe (Wildwood), MO Milwaukee Zoo Railroad Milwaukee, WI Riverside and Great Northern Wisconsin Dells, WI |
Railroad-themed Food and Lodging
Monon Connection Museum and Whistlestop Restaurant
Monon, IN The Choo Choo Diner Des Plaines, IL Flossmoor Station - Restaurant, Brewery and Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe Flossmoor, IL The Junction Diner Forest Park, IL 2Toots Train Whistle Grill Glen Ellyn, IL Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station Joliet, IL |
Riley's Railhouse Bed & Breakfast
Chesterton, IN Tyler's Tender Railroad Restaurant Schererville, IN Buffalo Phil's Pizza & Grille Wisconsin Dells, WI Dinner TrainsNickel Plate Express
Nobleville, IN East Troy Electric Railroad Museum East Troy, WI Wisconsin Great Northern Trego, WI |
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Restored Depots and Equipment
There are countless restored (or being restored) depots and individual pieces of railway equipment (usually retired cabooses and locomotives) throughout our region, far more than we could ever hope to list. Contact the local government or historical society in the town where you find the display.