A railway museum is a cultural institution that explores the history of train related transportation and may operate historic equipment on its premises. It typically exhibits locomotives (steam, diesel, and electric), railway cars and trams. The museum may also feature railway signalling equipment and railroad memorabilia. The museum may also offer train rides to visitors.
The largest railway museum in the United States, the Illinois Railway Museum is located at 7000 Olson Road in Union, about 55 miles northwest of Chicago. The museum offers train rides during the summer months on its main line. Other exhibitions include the Railcar Museum, the Railroad and Logging Technology Center, and the Panorama Deck observation space.
This railway museum exhibits the history of steam, narrow gauge and standard gauge trains, along with railway station architecture and artifacts. It has an extensive collection of locomotives including the world’s fastest steam engine Mallard, the exquisitely streamlined Duchess of Hamilton, and a working replica of George Stephenson’s pioneering Rocket. The museum also houses other famous locomotives and carriages, as well as railway memorabilia, artifacts, and photographs.
In the beginning of its existence, the railway museum was a small association of volunteers who loved trains. Those enthusiasts were not able to start an official organisation due to the bureaucratic wall that existed in their country at the time, so they acted on their own initiative.
They started by collecting old train-related objects. Some of them were already in a state of disrepair and needed to be restored. Then, they began to restore them and to display them in public. The collection grew and the museum eventually became one of the best railway museums in the world.
The museum’s collections consist of a wide variety of locomotives, including two LNER A4 class locomotives. These were transferred from their North American homes at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Exporail in Montreal. The two locomotives have been cosmetically restored; 60008 is painted in BR Brunswick Green, as it appeared on withdrawal, while 60010 is finished in CN paint as LNER 4489 Dominion of Canada.
Other exhibits at the railway museum include a 1922 Baldwin steam locomotive, a vintage caboose and a number of historic trolleybuses. The museum also has an outdoor exhibit of railroad and logging equipment and an indoor gallery displaying the museum’s collection of locomotives and other railway memorabilia.
The railway museum is a wonderful way to learn about train transport and its evolution. There are many exciting activities and educational programs available for kids, too. It’s the perfect place to bring the whole family to enjoy. The staff is very helpful and will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. The museum also has a gift shop, so you’ll be sure to find something for everyone. The prices are also very reasonable, so you won’t have to break the bank to get a good experience here. You won’t regret visiting this railway museum!
