The Illinois Railway Museum is pleased to announce that its 2019 operating schedule has been finalized and published on its website at www.irm.org/calendar
A list of special events planned for 2019 can be found on the museum’s hours and admission page. Popular first-time special events from last year including the Bunny Trolley Hop and the Pumpkin Train are being expanded with additional dates and attractions. A first-time even in 2019 will be the Fire Department Muster in September, featuring a gathering of historic fire engines and firefighting equipment. Other popular events including Day Out With Thomas™, Diesel Days, Night Trains on Labor Day Weekend, and Happy Holiday Railway are returning in 2019, often with additional operating equipment and event enhancements planned.
There are some minor changes from the printed calendars issued by the museum at the end of 2018. Electric trains will be in operation on weekdays between May 20th and September 13th, offering train rides on an expanded schedule from what was initially planned. Opening Day has been moved to Saturday, April 6th and the museum will be closed on March 31st.
Operating equipment is listed for each day featuring train operations but this information is subject to change dependent on volunteer availability and mechanical considerations. Operating days for the museum’s newly-operational Shay steam engine, J. Neils Lumber Company 5, are still to be announced. Make sure to check back at www.irm.org for updates!