Illinois Railway Museum

If you have little ones and they like trains, this is the place to see. It's a little off the beaten path but we'll worth the drive. We drove up to do the 'Day out with Thomas' and the grandkids had a blast! There's so much to see and do that it is a full day of train adventures. Being that we were there to see Thomas and Percy, we really didn't get a chance to explore everything but will definitely be back. The only things I would suggest is to have plenty of time to see it all. We got there before 10am and the event ended around 3ish and there was a so much that we missed. Also, have some good walking shoes, a drink and take lots of pictures. If you go on a day to see and ride Thomas also take a ride on Percy. It's not a long trip for either one but the kids will enjoy it. Visit the many barns that house all kinds of trains, some you can get in and walk around, explore the little shops and toy train displays set up or even grab a snack at the café they have. Everyone and everything was just outstanding! Definitely memories to last a lifetime. One thing that they offered was a air conditioned bus/train car for mother's that need a spot to breastfeed in comfort on a very hot day. It was a very nice set up.

We had THE BEST time at Thomas and Friends experience at Illinois Railway Musuem. We have gone the last few years, but the first year my kid was too little to really venture into everything, and last year it rained and we were keeping cover in the garages. This year the weather was great and we had an amazing time! We especially loved venturing into some of the trains available, on top of riding with Thomas! Granted I find it ironic we have to drive to a railway museum - wish we can ride over.

Amazing clips collection of trains, lots of history here. We rode two trains and could had ridden a third. It's been in my want to go list for five years and I'm glad we finally made it here. Passionate staff we chatted with one at the model train building. The relocated diner is cool but note that the actual car itself is closed and still being renovated. Come support the museum so they can finish this restoration.

Very interesting attraction. They have acres and acres of trains. Train cars street cars, steam trains, diesel trains. You can take a couple mile ride on the diesel train. You can take a couple miles on the old trolley. They also have a small trolley that works inside the park. There's so much to see and do you need a at least half a day. They probably have a hundred different train cars and trolley cars inside. Many many more outside. The whole place is very easy to access and there is so much to see. A lot of great volunteers to help you with anything you may need help with.

Wow, what a great place! Rode the caboose train, and sat in the cupola of a caboose. So much to see. Walked through vintage trains in the display barns, including a Pullman sleeper car. It was fun to watch various trains coming and going from the stations. We enjoyed a light lunch at the diner; sat on the outdoor patio to eat.

An absolute hidden gem in Northern Illinois! Amazing experience for train enthusiasts of all ages! Our group’s favorite part was the barn dedicated to public transit and streetcars!

We came here for our first time on the coldest night and had a wonderful time. The volunteers were outstanding and in great spirits despite the bitter cold, they worked well to make this such a delightful experience for our family. Thank you!! We will definitely be back.

We had a wonderful family day at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. As a family with kids of all ages, it was one of those rare places that kept everyone interested and excited throughout the entire visit. The collection of historic trains is truly remarkable and gives you a real appreciation for the equipment that people once relied on every day. Seeing these trains up close was fascinating, and the museum does an excellent job preserving an important part of our history. Our kids especially loved being able to look inside many of the trains, and the train rides were a huge highlight of the day. Being able to actually ride on historic equipment made the experience much more memorable than simply walking through exhibits. One of our favorite areas was a barn that featured elevated walkways overlooking the trains. The décor, lighting, and atmosphere were done exceptionally well and really helped bring the exhibits to life. My only suggestion would be to add similar viewing areas to some of the other barns. It would be great to have more opportunities to look inside the trains and experience the exhibits from that perspective. Overall, this was an outstanding family outing and well worth the trip. Whether you're interested in trains, history, or just looking for a unique family experience, I highly recommend a visit. We will definitely be back.