Railroad Days 2026: A Day of Vintage Trains in Monticello, Illinois
Looking for a fun fall day trip in Central Illinois? If you love trains, history, or good old-fashioned family activities, mark your calendar for Railroad Days at the Monticello Railway Museum!
On September 19–20, 2026, the Monticello Railway Museum will host its annual Railroad Days celebration, bringing several different types of historic trains together for a full weekend of rides, exhibits, and family activities.
And the best part? Your ticket lets you ride the trains as many times as you want throughout the day.
🚂 Railroad Days 2026
📅 Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, 2026
📍 Monticello Railway Museum
992 Iron Horse Place
Monticello, IL 61856
⏰ Gates open: 9 AM
🚆 Train rides: 10 AM–5 PM
🎟️ Adult day pass: $35
🎟️ Child day pass: $20
👶 Children age 2 and under: Free with a paying adult or senior
The event takes place rain or shine, and tickets are good for the entire day. You can ride as many of the trains as you like and come back for another ride whenever you want.
🚂 Four Different Train Experiences
One of the things that makes Railroad Days special is the variety of historic trains operating throughout the weekend.
Steam Train
One of the stars of the weekend will be Southern Railway No. 401, a historic steam locomotive built in 1907.
The locomotive will pull a mixed train made up of antique passenger cars and an open-air car. The museum notes that only a handful of steam locomotives like No. 401 are still operating in North America, making this a pretty special opportunity for train lovers.
🚃 Caboose Hop
Want to see a little more of the museum grounds?
The Caboose Hop provides a short ride between the Nelson Crossing Depot and the museum's Camp Creek Yard. Along the way, visitors can get a closer look at additional historic trains and the museum's restoration and shop facilities.
🚂 Vintage Freight Train
Ever wondered what it would have been like to travel through the Illinois countryside on a freight train?
Railroad Days will feature a freight train made up of historic freight cars and cabooses, pulled by one of the museum's vintage diesel locomotives.
It's a fun way to experience a part of railroad history that most of us don't normally get to see from the passenger side.
🚆 The Streamliner
The Streamliner offers a completely different experience.
Visitors can ride in Art Deco streamlined passenger cars, including a traditional coach, a beautifully restored dining car dating to the late 1940s, or Business Car No. 7.
If you enjoy the glamour and nostalgia of old-fashioned train travel, this may be the ride for you.
The museum notes that equipment is subject to change.
🎨 There's More Than Just Trains
Even if you have someone in your family who isn't quite as excited about locomotives as you are, there's plenty to do during Railroad Days.
The Nelson Crossing campus will also feature:
🐐 A petting zoo
🎨 Face painting
🏰 A bounce house
🍔 Food trucks
🚗 A pedal car track
🚂 Barrel train rides
🚆 Model railroad displays
So this can easily turn into a full family day rather than simply a train ride.
🏛️ Don't Forget Downtown Monticello
The museum itself encourages visitors to spend some time exploring historic downtown Monticello while they're in town.
There are even historic walking tour brochures available at Wabash Depot! There are a number of houses around downtown Monticello to see and explore.
You could make a whole day of it: spend the morning and afternoon at Railroad Days, then head into downtown Monticello for a meal, a little shopping, or a stroll around town.
Just across the street from the Wabash Depot in Monticello is a wonderful playground for kids, too!
The museum operates its regular excursions between the main museum site and the historic Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello during the regular season, so Monticello's railroad history extends beyond the museum grounds.
Is Railroad Days Good for Seniors?
Absolutely.
If you're looking for something to do with parents, grandparents, grandchildren, or the whole family, Railroad Days offers a nice combination of history, nostalgia, and entertainment.
And you don't have to be a serious train enthusiast to enjoy it. Being able to walk through historic railroad cars and experience trains from different eras makes the museum interesting even for casual visitors.
The Monticello Railway Museum is also a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving railroad history in Central Illinois.
🎟️ Plan Your Visit
Railroad Days 2026
📅 September 19–20, 2026
📍 Monticello Railway Museum
992 Iron Horse Place, Monticello, IL 61856
⏰ Gates open at 9 AM
🚆 Trains run approximately 10 AM–5 PM
💰 Adults: $35
💰 Children: $20
👶 Ages 2 and under: Free with a paying adult or senior
Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time or in person at the museum on the day of the event.
For the most current information and tickets, visit www.mrym.org.
🚂 A Fun Central Illinois Fall Tradition
Railroad Days is one of those local events that offers a little something for everyone: old trains, local history, family activities, food, and a chance to step back in time for a day.
Whether you're taking the grandkids, bringing your camera, or simply have a soft spot for the sound of an old locomotive, September's Railroad Days could make for a memorable Central Illinois day trip.
And honestly, there's something pretty fun about spending a fall day watching an old steam locomotive roll through the Illinois countryside.
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