Love this place!! They are so nice and helpful. Very hands-on and educational as well. Enjoyed the ride and the museum with train cars and engines you can go through as well. My 8 yr old and my husband enjoyed a cab ride while my 84 yr old mom enjoyed riding with me, my 18 yr old daughter and her boyfriend. We all had a great time and cant wait to go back! Thank you to the volunteers that give their time to make this a great Railroad to learn about and to ride! Everything shows all the time spent taking carebof things. From the clean restrooms to the train cars you can visit. Great work everyone!
When you step onto that train, its an immersive experience. You are sitting in the seats where people of the 1940s and 1950s sat when they rode a train. Your train will also, most likely, be made up of a locomotive and train cars from railroads that dont even exist anymore. The volunteers do a superb job here, and I think my Chicago & Illinois Midland Railroad hat even caught the conductors eye. I was excited throughout the whole train ride into town and back, and I could not for the life of me contain my smile. Our train was pulled by Milwaukee Road 1649, an EMD NW2. 1649 had three Illinois Central passenger carriages, a Nickel Plate Road flatcar turned into an open-air passenger car, and a red Illinois Central caboose (I think it was Illinois Central, but I cant be sure).
Its a really neat museum, I cant wait to visit when theyre open
The museum continues to grow its collection and improve its campus. The all-volunteer staff is friendly and willing to answer questions. Families with small children are welcome here!
Had a wonderful time seeing a lot of old trains and my grandson Collin really loves it.
Amazing train collection...Great show great volunteers...Go check it out
This place is delightful. There are many cars to walk through, rides available (we werent able to ride due to time constraints, but plan to return and do so), a little shop in the station, and a switch house. The switch house was very interesting, as they have sample switches that arent hooked up to anything that you can pull and release. We spent a couple of hours exploring, particularly the train shed. Theyve even got an aquarium car! Since they have cars from different decades, its fun to go through and see the difference conveniences each offered. Its like walking through little slices of history. I was pleased with the cleanliness of it all, and highly recommend it!
Very cool, nice people who work there. The train ride was cool.
I love to come here for a relaxing ride ride through the country side. As a working museum it is a great place to bring anyone of any age to learn about the history of trains and learn how a railroad works. Be sure to check their website to find out when the steam locomotive is running during the summer months. And if you can visit during railroad days in the fall you get a chance to see pretty much everything on site in action all at once. Polar Express trips during Christmas time is a magical experience for kids, but you must plan ahead, tickets go on sale in late spring and sell out within a week usually.
My hometown railway. This is the best place to go locally for train rides and just enjoying railfanning.
An enjoyable railroad museum and tourist railroad to visit.
A place for everyone to learn and participate in the railroad.
Step back in time with a visit to Monticello Railway Museum. Ride in old time coaches and see both diesel and steam locos. Steam Loco runs certain weekends so check ahead if you want that experience.
Neat place. Lots of neat old train cars.
Great Variety of old trains to look at for free and weekend train rides for a reasonable fee
I loved it, I sat on diner car, it was air conditioned.
Theyre closed for the season but saw some neat equipment. They have two 1920s era freshly repainted tank cars on display. Saw a red RS2 (maybe ex GBW). There were a few volunteers working including on the steam locomotive. Met only friendly people. Cant wait till May to see if things clear up enough for them to reopen.
Lots of fun. Very interesting.
The museum itself was really cool based on the fact that most of it is located inside actual train cars. I learned a lot when I went there. There is also an opportunity to ride the train at certain times of the day. I am an adult & went with my parents & we all had a great time. This could also be a fun experience for children! The gift shop being a little small is really the only downfall.
We happened to see this place while on business and stopped in. We were greeted warmly and given a personal tour of all the buildings. I have to say, that this is one of the best railway museums I have ever visited. They have a hugh collection of rail cars, passenger, steam locomotives, EMDs, Alcos, rail cranes and more. Great place for families or the enthusist. Easily able to spend a full day here. If you would like to volunteer, this place has many opportunities too. Wished I lived closer.
Love the history here. Great place too take your children 👍👍👍👍👍
Train ride is so much fun
Train rides available with steam engine. Rolling stock on display.
My boys love going on the train, in the summer! The museums have fun things inside the stations, even a bunch of gift items. Then you can go I to the train, thats forever stationed and have a look on how everything was back in the day! Its pretty cool. And a good family time
Very interesting history. A real train ride!
Even though the depot is closed for giving rides because of COVID, they will allow you to walk around the train yard. The volunteers are great, the atmosphere is great, couldnt have had a better day spent anywhere else as we did.
Had a great day with sons
Great place to come ride a train or a caboose. Polar Express and special events offered at different times throughout the year.
My five yr old grandson was over the moon looking at all the train cars and train ride he talked about the whole ride home.
Went there this past Saturday for the Diesel experience. What that is specifically is the opportunity to be at the controls of a diesel locomotive and run the unit on track for what I would guess is about a mike of track. It was an awesome experience. Let me say first off that it cost $150.00 for this experience however if the money is not an issue then I can vouch that it is absolutely worth it if you have an interest in trains i am an N scale modeler and enjoy the hobby so this naturally fit right inThe museum itself is very clean even the restrooms rival that in your own home as far as cleanliness. I came in contact with three employees”volunteers actually as nobody gets paid there) and these three men could nit have been nicer. I only know the name of Paul,the loco engineer, who rides with you in the cab and fives you instructionsPaul was extremely courteous and patient and after going over all the controls in the can he lets you take over and gives voice coaching along the route. This man is a great teacher and because of him the experience in the cab in control of the loco is one you will remember for a long time to come. Thanks Paul!And by the way after the diesel experience they surprise you with a completion certificate to frame and hang on the wall of your train room. Even the gift shop was reasonable hahaHarleymike.chicago
Great experience for the kids! We took our two little ones, and they loved seeing the sleeping cars and postal cars, and then really liked all the different cars you were able to ride on. Specifically, my 3 year old loved riding on the caboose! Getting to go into the engine house and see some of the other engines was a cool unexpected perk
It is cool! But oh my God put some roof fans for the love of God where you keep the trains! No ventilation at all! No windows nothing...if you have trouble breathing forget about it in summer! Also some information about the trains would be useful. We enjoyed the train ride to Monticello.
Such a FUN day! Thanks for making Moms feel appreciated! The train ride was so fun for all of our family, from ages 2yrs to 60+ yrs! It was really great! Well definitely be back!
Neat place to visit
A fun place for all ages that is just right. I took my 3 year old grandson. The ride is an hour including a 12 minute stop. The depot and train exhibits are wonderful for a glimpse to the past.
Great exhibits of RR history and artifacts. Knowledgeable staff for guided tours. 9 Extensive collection of motive power and rolling stock. Excursions by schedule. Not to be missed!
Great place to spend the day. Everyone is a volunteer and very proud of what they have there. Great with the kids who are probably over half of their business. This weekend, Monticello Railroad Days, they pull out the stops and make it a special event. Prices are reasonable you dont feel like they want to get in the black with your soft drink or tee-shirt purchase.Id recommend it highly.
Great place for trains in Illinois
Great stop with family. It is not a large museum but has grown over the years. Wonderful collection and history. Kids enjoyed it as well.
Great museum. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Most of the locomotives and other equipment were stored in barns. Yes, you can walk though much of the equipment, but photos arent easy because the equipment is so close together. The train ride was fun! Good afternoon of family entertainment.
We have been going here for years and love the train rides. The steam engine is our favorite and walking around the train yard. The new switch house is also very neat and my son loved being able to through the point switches.
Great place to take your kids. If they love trains, they will love coming here. The train ride and history is great.
Our 4 year old grandson loved it! The train ride was just long enough, and the volunteers were incredibly helpful
The kids loved the train ride and the museum was full of so much information and history. My family loved it.
We rode a steam train, pulled by Southern #401, oil fired, pulling a flat car, 2 coaches and a way car. The ride is about 55 min. I highly recommend it. Theres a static display of engines and both passenger and freight cars, as well as a gift shop, too.
Fantastic -- will probably do this again at some point. The kids loved it!
Fun little museum to visit. Very friendly volunteer staff. Short, but pleasant train ride & great little town to walk around in. Ask for a personal tour from Dale.
Went there just for an outing for the day. It was fun. I rode the old steam engine. Really wish it was a longer trip but was enjoyable none-the-less.
This place is done very well by volunteers. They obviously have a passion for doing what they do. I was so impressed
Hands down best transportation muesum. Thanks for all the great education for my young children. We so enjoyed the train rides.
Came here on a class feild trip. It was really cool to see the old trains rails and towers that they had restored. Definitely would recommend a visit if you have interest in trains or the railway in general.
A fun place to take most any kid under 10 or over 10 for that matter! Lots to see and do however it is seasonal so make sure you check a calendar
Love going to the museum. A great place for railroad enthusiasts as well as kids. Always seems to be something new to look at or climb on.
It was closed when we went but with love looking at all the trains
Very friendly, great train rides and theres something for the whole family.
Fun short ride maybe go back when its warmer
So much fun for the kids! Lots of cool historical artifacts and information. Plus, the great train ride into Montecello station and back.
Great museum with historical items. There is an old operational switch tower. They do train rides weekly.
Great little museum. You can tour actual rail cars. Staff extremely knowledgeable and happy to share.
Excellent railroad facility. Friendly staff and well-maintained grounds. Great volunteer opportunities.
Been going here for years. Good amount of relics and they seem to be growing.
Great collection of old Illinois Central equipment!
Very cool lot of train and train cars to see they have a train ride that 55 miles round trip got there to late to do that.
Family friendly entertainment great way to spend an afternoon. Best advise go in the fall when the leaves are changing.
Very nice and fun train ride. Enjoyed all
Great staff and very informative. The museum offers a lot to see..
Interesting, enjoyed the train rides. Would liked to have heard more history on the units
My son and i loved the train ride.
Our family had a great down there riding the Southern 401. If you are ever down there I recommend you ride the train or visit the museum.
Had a great time with my son and grandsons
This was an awesome ride. Wish the ride its self was longer. But it was great.
Great place! Check times for train rides, well worth it! Lots of old steam trains!
This is a fantastic place with friendly, informative staff, excellent displays of unique equipment, and fun to be had for railfans of all ages. Due to cost - they only run steam on select weekends so plan ahead!
Fun train rides that take you back in time. Fun for kids and adults of all ages
Amazing Place and Very Friendly Staff!! Will be back Next Year! Thanks guys for an Awesome time!
Monticello Railway museum is small compared to some but big on information and displays. The museum has several operating diesel locomotives as well as a Steam locomotive. Check the website for the scheduled Steam engine operation.The museum also has several events scheduled throughout the operating season. The most popular of late is the Polar Express train in the late fall. Get your tickets early as this train sells out . Railroad Days n September is also a great weekend. Usually the museum operates three trains at once during this weekend. There is also a festival located in downtown Monticello that weekend as well.
This place is amazing, a must see for any railfan in Illinois
Friendly volunteers. Very informative!
Wonderful place. Friendly people.lots of rolling stock.