Illinois Railway Museum

Join MAPS for our September Photo Outing to the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) in Union, Illinois! Covering over 100 acres, IRM is the largest railway museum in the United States and a living, working time capsule of American transit history.

Participants should meet at 10:00 am near the East Union Depot (just inside the main entrance gate) to check in with Outings Chair Chuck Diewald. The museum exhibits and trains open at 10:00 am.

About the Outing & Photographic Opportunities

Whether your passion is wide-angle industrial perspectives, candid motion, historic textures, or macro detail, IRM offers an extraordinary variety of subjects:

• Historic Rolling Stock in Motion: Electric interurban cars, classic CTA rapid transit cars, and scheduled diesel coach trains will be actively running along the main line and streetcar loops throughout the day.
• Open Display Barns & Yards: Explore massive open-air barns and yard tracks packed with vintage steam locomotives, streamlined passenger cars, vintage freight equipment, snowplows, and historic electric streetcars.
• Textures & Industrial Details: Riveted steel plates, weathered paint, weathered wood, mechanical linkages, vintage brass bells, gauges, lanterns, and antique track switchers provide endless macro and texture studies.
• Period Architecture & Interiors: Step into restored 20th-century depot buildings, signal towers, and vintage passenger coach interiors with period lighting, polished woodwork, and vintage signage.
• Action & Panning Shots: Practice shutter-speed control—freeze the mechanical motion of running gear or pan alongside moving vintage trolleys against scenic McHenry County pastoral backgrounds.

Admission & Ticket Information

One general admission ticket covers entry to the grounds, open display barns, and unlimited train and trolley rides for the day:

• Adults (Ages 18–64): $20.00
• Seniors (Ages 65+): $18.00
• Youth (Ages 13–17): $18.00
• Children (Ages 2–12): $16.00
• IRM Members / Children under 2: Free

Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the ticket window upon arrival.

Click here to purchase tickets online via IRM.org

Museum Notes

• Footwear & Walking: Expect considerable walking across paved paths, gravel yards, and grassy grounds across the campus. Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended.
• Sun & Weather Protection: Much of the campus is open-air with limited shade between barns. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Restrooms & Refreshments: Restrooms and the Central Diner (offering casual food, snacks, and beverages) are located on site near the Depot, along with picnic areas.

Parking & Arrival

• Free on-site parking is available in the main visitor lot off Olson Road.
• After parking, proceed toward the main entrance/depot area to meet up with the group.

Be sure to post your favorite event images to the MAPS gallery after the outing.

Click here to sign-up for this event.

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