monticello railway museum

JohntheFoneMan

They have a short (5-mile) train ride. I found it fascinating how they have both a section of original Illinois Central RR branch line and a piece of the once great interurban empire that was the Illinois Terminal. Lots to see and enjoy. Happy volunteers. I'll be back.

kona211

This is the second year in a row that we've attended the Monticello Railway Museum's "Railroad Day's" and it didn't disappoint! We got to ride on a train pulled by a real steam engine (along with Abe & Mary Todd Lincoln reenactors), view the normal rail car exhibits (which are exceptional), and enjoyed the expanded children's area (pedal cars, miniature train display, bounce play yard, face-painting, and more!). If you or your kids are even slightly interested in trains this is definitely a must see museum!

JoeD644

This is a great trip for the family. The depot museum in downtown is open on weekends and consists of an historical museum displaying train signals. communication devices. old photos and a myriad of train memorabilia. Take a train ride to the historical museum in the outskirts of town and walk among the old passenger, Pullmans, mail cars, that are displayed, don't forget to visit the gift shop. You can board the train at either end of the route.

saboinv

Some family friends took my three sons and I on a day trip to the train. We rode the loop and enjoyed visiting with the courteous and knowledgeable employees. I would highly recommend this to anyone in the area as a fun and exciting way to spend an afternoon.

HM516

This place was really interesting for me, but way more important for my boyfriend. He loves model trains! He grew up building them but gave it up for a while while he was doing odd jobs and he's picked it back up since I bought him an H&O train car. I thought this place would be a nice anniversary surprise, but I was the one to get the surprise when he started to tear up. It was adorable, the place was really interesting, there were lots of facts about the railroad, and you get to walk inside the old train cars which double as a museum. Then you get to ride to downtown Monticello, check out the sites, and ride back. Couldn't ask for a better way to waste the afternoon.

MPSteitzer

I will first state that my view of this museum might be influenced by the fact that I was given a birthday gift that allowed me to drive a diesel engine for 45 minutes, which was great fun! This museum is small on the scale of most RR museums that I have visited, but the quality is excellent. The individual exhibits and display trains are very detailed and interesting, and actually let you walk through the train cars, which doesn't always happen at bigger museums... The selection of engines and cars are more than representative for a train museum, and the volunteers that work at the museum are very polite and informative. Well worth a stop with or with out kids if you are in the area.

froggy042

It would have been better had the train just took off and traveled a few miles without stopping. The train kept going backwards and forwards. Overall the kids loved it. The kids and us adults enjoyed the museum that was inside the railcars.

Luckyone2002

We've visited here several times over the years - taking the train ride into Monticello in the summer with the windows down on the old passenger cars (fun!) and for the Ghost Ride in October. There are many trains on display and you can go inside some of them and view others from the outside. It's a fun, reasonably-priced attraction, especially for train enthusiasts and children love it.

JOdyL186

Wonderful experience for the kids. Volunteers were great to work with. We had 18 adults and childre, great experience for all.

midwestduoenisla

The museum is small but has knowledgeable staff. Take the ride on a vintage train.

CandiSpfld

Lots of fun! Kids loved riding the train. All the staff was excellent and very nice!

alplm5124

Very nice experience for all ages. The age group of 3-10 will especially enjoy the sights and sounds of the engines and cars of the railroad.

ChristaT793

The train ride is fun for everyone. My son loved it. We rode to the depot then played at the nearby playground before catching the next train back.

nells3636

Interactive museum. lots of railway things to explore (hands on!) We had a family reunion here a few years ago, and people are still talking about how much fun they had. The restaurant has a very good salad bar and lots of variety on the menu.

ann251

This railroad station and trains are a step back in time. We always enjoy riding the train. Each year they have a haunted ghost train and Santa Claus train in December. It's always a fun time and a great tool to teach children of the railroad history.