Membership in the Illinois Railway Museum is open to anyone who likes trains, or who is interested in the Museum’s historic and educational programs. The member receives a membership card that can be scanned at the entrance to provide free admission to the museum and rides on any day when general admission is available. (General Admission and membership passes not valid for admission during Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, or Happy Holiday Railway). Members also receive a discount on certain educational materials in the Museum store and receive the Museum news magazine, Rail & Wire, which IRM publishes several times a year.

It is the policy of the Illinois Railway Museum to treat all members in a nondiscriminatory manner. The fair and equitable treatment of all volunteer members is the responsibility of each of us. Harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion, disability or sexual orientation will not be tolerated. 

Your membership card is valid for as long as you renew your membership. If you are renewing your membership, you will not receive a new card: your current card will remain valid.

Participation in the Museum’s activities is open to all members – from being an active booster to lending a hand in the Museum’s work. Some members are in a fortunate position to be able to volunteer their particular talents or their free time for work on Museum projects. The Museum encourages this as most of its projects depend almost entirely on volunteer workers. The museum always needs skilled workers, office workers, operating personnel, and people interested in “just helping out” on Museum projects. Learn more about volunteering here.

Membership Levels

Memberships are available for an individual or a family, (two adults and up to three children under 18). Beyond the Associate level, a member may choose to pay a Sustaining rate, which confers the same benefits but provides additional (tax deductible) financial support to the museum. Sustaining members also receive a hat indicating their support and a pin for each year they're Sustaining members.

Both Associate and Sustaining members may, after participating in museum activities for a period, become eligible to apply for Full Membership. This confers the right to vote at general meetings and stand for elected roles within the museum. Annual memberships run from January through December.

Individual Associate Membership

• Includes unlimited general admission for member on regular and special event days (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• 10% Museum Store discount
• Quarterly Rail & Wire magazine
• Price: $50 per year

Family Associate Membership

• Includes unlimited general admission for 2 named adults and 3 named children on regular and special event days (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• Additional Children can be added at a cost of $20/child
• 10% Museum Store discount
• Quarterly Rail & Wire magazine
• Price: $100 per year

Individual Sustaining Membership

• Includes unlimited general admission for member on regular and special event days (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• 1 Free guest ticket per year with member present to redeem. (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• 15% Museum Store discount
• 1 Sustaining member hat (One Time)
• 1 Sustaining member pin per year
• Quarterly Rail & Wire magazine
• Price: $100 per year

Family Sustaining Membership

• Includes unlimited general admission for 2 named adults and 3 named children on regular and special event days (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• Additional Children can be added at a cost of $20/child
• 5 Free guest tickets per year with member present to redeem. (Excluding Bunny Trolley Hop, Day Out With Thomas, Happy Holiday Railway, and other specially ticketed events)
• 15% Museum Store discount
• 2 Sustaining member hats (One Time)
• 2 Sustaining member pins per year
• Quarterly Rail & Wire magazine
• Price: $200 per year

Get Your IRM Membership Now! Renew Your Membership

Or click here for a printable membership application in PDF format.

About the Illinois Railway Museum

The Illinois Railway Museum is a not-for-profit, educational corporation which was organized in 1953. The Museum derives its support primarily from contributions and revenues from the visiting public. Volunteers serving without pay do most of the work. All contributions to the Museum are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor.