BLACKHAWK RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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    • Today's Railroads >
      • Regional, Short Line and Industrial Railroads
    • Santa Trains

Local Railroad Attractions

​Our region's railroad history is acknowledged by many communities...many of these towns owe their existence to the railroad.  There are numerous pieces of equipment on public display throughout the region -- too many to list here, but each with their own story to tell.  Some of these display are endangered -- threatened by encroaching development, the cost of upkeep and maintenance, or simply no longer appreciated as a symbol of community pride.  
​
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. 

​DUE TO THE 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MANY OF THESE PLACES MAY BE CLOSED OR HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON VISITING. 
​IT IS STONGLY SUGGESTED YOU CONTACT THEM BEFORE VISITING.


Have a link you would like to share?  Have you found a broken link?  Please send us an E-mail.

Railroad Viewing Parks

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​Homewood Railroad Park
Homewood, IL
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Tower B-12
​Franklin Park, IL
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​Park Forest/CN Rail-Fan Park
Park Forest (Matteson), IL
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​Rochelle Railroad Park
Rochelle, IL
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UD Tower (under development)
Joliet, IL

Railroad-themed Food and Lodging

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

Garden Railroads

Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL 
​
Morton Arboretum
Lisle, IL

Illiana Garden Railway Society
Valporaiso, IN

​
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest

Valparaiso, IN

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.

Local Interest

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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.

Industrial Strength Photography
Blackhawk member Dave Daruszka's photography is on the built environment, transportation and the vanishing industrial landscape. 

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.


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 g
uide for railfanning and "rail-centric" attractions, restaurants and events provided in the south and southwest suburbs provided by the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

Miniature Live Steam Railroads

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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

​Model Railroad Clubs

Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club
New Lenox, IL

Elmhurst Model Railroad Club
Elmhurst, IL

Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club

Clarendon Park, Chicago, IL

Hi-Rail Modular Train Club

Griffith, IN

Lake Shore Model Railroad Association
Calumet Park, Chicago, IL

Oak Park Society of Model Engineers

Oak Park, IL

Prairie Scale Model Railroad Club
Lombard, IL

Will County Model Railroad Association
Joliet, IL

Dinner Trains

​​​Nickel Plate Express
Nobleville, IN
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East Troy Electric Railroad Museum
East Troy, WI

Wisconsin Great Northern
Trego, WI

Contents © 2020 Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc. - an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.  
The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society  and  is not affiliated with the former Blackhawk Films or the ​Chicago franchise of the National Hockey League.  

Contact Us

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Join Us
    • Newsletter
    • Meetings
    • Indiana Swap Meet and Program
    • 50th Anniversary Gallery
    • The Railroads of Will County >
      • Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
      • Chicago & Alton
      • Chicago & Eastern Illinois
      • Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
      • Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
      • Illinois Central
      • Michigan Central
      • The Milwaukee Road (CM&G/CTH&SE)
      • Wabash
      • Shortlines and Industrials
      • Proposed Railroads
      • Interurban Railroads
  • Schedule
  • Store
  • Projects
    • Chicago Railroad History Month
    • Joliet >
      • History
      • Passenger
      • Railfan
      • UD Tower
    • Depots >
      • Symerton
      • Lockport
    • Museums
    • Publications and Documents >
      • EJ&E Documents
    • Community
    • Equipment
  • Connections
    • Railroad History
    • Local Railroad Attractions
    • Regional Museums & Heritage Railroads
    • Operating Mainline Steam Locomotives
    • Today's Railroads >
      • Regional, Short Line and Industrial Railroads
    • Santa Trains