News of the world

More updates from the museum e-newsletter - click here if you'd like to receive these in your inbox:

Opening day is less than a month away! Our first special event of 2018 is a brand new event: the Bunny Trolley Hop on March 31st. We also have a lot of other exciting events this year including Day Out With Thomas™, Showcase Weekend, Diesel Days, Happy Holiday Railway, Vintage Transport Extravaganza, and more. Bunny Trolley Hop marks opening day on March 31st The 2018 event schedule is now available online Steam Dept benefit at Sanfilippo Estate is June 24th New Event for 2018 - Illinois Day is May 5th Museum entrance building fundraising  IRM website blog tracks restoration projects New museum entrance for 2018

Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more

Bunny Trolley Hop on March 31st A new event for this year is the Bunny Trolley Hop on Saturday, March 31st, which will be the museum's first opening day in March in many years. Tickets for this event are very limited and are available now on our website. Reserve your seat today for unforgettable family fun with the Easter Bunny! Click for tickets and information

2018 Operating Schedule Electric cars operate Sundays April 8-October 28 and Saturdays May 5-October 27, March 31, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day  10:30am-5:00pm. Also Weekdays May 21-September 14 10am-4pm. Steam or Diesel trains operate Saturdays & Sundays May 5-September 30, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Trolley buses operate Saturdays May 26, June 30, September 1, 15 & 29. SPECIAL EVENTS

March 31 - Bunny Trolley Hop May 5 - Illinois Day May 12 - Scout Day May 13 - Mother's Day May 26, 27 & 28 - Memorial Day Weekend June 9 & 10 - Railway Post Office Days June 16 - Chicago Day June 17 - Father's Day June 30 & July 1 - Trolley Weekend July 14-15 & 21-22 - Day Out With Thomas™ August 5 - Vintage Transport Extravaganza August 11 & 12 - Diesel Weekend Sept. 1, 2 & 3 - Labor Day Weekend Sept. 15 & 16 - Museum Showcase Weekend Sept. 29 - Bus Day Oct. 13 - Milwaukee Transit Day Oct. 20 & 21 - Pumpkin Train Nov. 24 & 25, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 - Happy Holiday Railway

More information on 2018 events can be found on the IRM Schedule Page on our website.

Steam Dept Benefit is June 24 Our annual benefit concert to raise funds for the Steam Department will be held at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington on June 24th. This is a great opportunity to hear the mighty Wurlitzer organ in concert and tour this unique collection of artifacts. Click here for tickets and information.

Illinois Day 2018 One of our new events for this year is Illinois Day, on Saturday May 5th, when all Illinois residents are admitted for 50% off with valid state ID. If you're used to the crowds at some of our mid-summer events, try a visit during the spring when the pace is a little easier and the museum is a little less busy!

Museum Entrance Building Fundraising has kicked off to build the new Museum Entrance Building. This exciting project will provide not only a permanent public entrance, but indoor exhibit areas, a theater, event space, and an entire block of historic building fronts on our Main Street Scene. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Click here for more information.

Keep updated on restoration work Even when the museum is closed there's a lot happening. If you're not familiar with the blogs on the IRM website, then you're missing out on the news! Our volunteers keep the blog updated with recent progress on restoration projects like UP 428, Chicago Elevated 1754, and the Pennsy four-wheel "bobber" caboose shown at right. Click here for recent blog posts

New main entrance When you visit IRM this April, the main entrance will be in a new location. The public entrance has long been at the northeast corner of the parking lot (location 2 on this map) near Spaulding Tower, and that will still be the main entrance on special event days between May 26 and September 16. However with the Schroeder Mercantile Store now open on Main Street, the museum entrance on weekdays and non-special-event weekends will be at the southeast corner of the parking lot (location 13 on this map) near the 50th Avenue 'L' station. This will also be the new location of the museum gift shop and bookstore, which were formerly located in the baggage cars adjacent to the East Union Depot.

Visit us online for schedules, blog updates, and more