EVENTS
There are several special events scheduled throughout the year at the Monticello Railway Museum. To see what is happening on a given weekend or to purchase tickets online, view the calendar. Rides are offered in our diesel-hauled trains on most weekends and on our steam-hauled trains on select weekends May through October. If your party is interested in a more exclusive experience, you can also rent your own train.
Weekend Diesel Train Rides
Most Saturdays and Sundays from May 3 through October 5, 2025. Check our calendar for special event weekends when prices and times may vary.
Take a step back in time on our relaxing and scenic historic train rides to Monticello on board vintage rail cars. You may board the train at the Nelson Crossing Depot (the main Museum site) or at the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello. The train ride is a seven-mile round trip that lasts approximately one hour. Passengers may also choose to lay over at either depot to view displays and catch a later train back. The diesel locomotive in use varies by month.
southern 401 in Steam
May 24 - 25, June 21 - 22, July 19 - 20, August 16 - 17, September 20 - 21 (Railroad Days), and October 4 - 5, 2025.
Step back in time and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of our restored 1907 vintage steam locomotive.
Throttle Time
Most Saturdays and Sundays from April 26 through October 12, 2025
Have you ever wanted to be the engineer of a real train? If you ever wanted to run a full-size locomotive pulling a train, now is your chance! Our Throttle Time program lets you try your hand at being a locomotive engineer of a historic diesel locomotive. You will learn how to operate one of our vintage locomotives and then take the throttle yourself!
Mother's Day Weekend
May 10 – 11, 2025
Make this Mother's Day special by treating Mom to an enjoyable ride with her family on our vintage train. Moms ride free on our weekend trains when accompanied by their children!
Father's Day Weekend
June 14 – 15, 2025
Dads ride our weekend train free when accompanied by their children! Take Dad on a fun weekend train ride with the family.
PasT 2024 Special Events
The Bunny Eggspress
March 29 - 30, 2024
Monticello Railway Museum and Monticello Area Chamber invite you to hop on the train March 29th or 30th for The Bunny Eggspress. Departure times are at 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM at the Wabash Depot in Monticello, Illinois. Enjoy a train ride to our egg hunt location (Egg Hunt is weather permitting), a visit with the Easter Bunny, receive a treat bag for each child and a commemorative item for each rider. There are three classes of service for this event, coach class, first-class, and the private car experience.
The Donut Train
April 6, May 4, June 15, and July 20, 2024
Join us for a unique breakfast experience in partnership with Industrial Donut on board one of our restored Illinois Central dining cars. You’ll enjoy a selection of delicious donuts from Industrial Donut at your table, along with your choice of additional breakfast items such as fresh fruits and yogurt. Ride in style aboard one of our historic dining cars or reserve the exclusive private car for this event that will be popular with the whole family!
School Days
May 7 - 8, 2024
An opportunity for school children to ride a full-sized diesel-powered train and learn about the role railroading played in history. Students will enjoy a round-trip train ride on vintage coaches as well as tour railway cars which may include a post office car, sleeping cars, and a caboose. This is a great opportunity to learn about America’s railroad history!
Mother’s day weekend Dinner Train
May 11, 2024
Treat Mom to a unique dinner on board one of our beautifully restored dining cars! You can choose to ride in a historic dining car or enjoy an exclusive experience on board our private car. Guests can choose from delicious Filet Medallions, Grilled Chicken, or Pasta Primavera, sides and dessert from Holly’s County Kitchen of Monticello!
Murder Mystery Dinner Train
June 1, July 27, and August 17, 2024
All aboard the Monticello Railway Museum’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience! Join us Saturday, June 1st, July 27th and August 17th for an exciting evening of mystery and mayhem presented by Champaign Urbana Theatre Company’s Seven Corpse Dinner Murder Mysteries. Passengers on board will be treated to this delicious three-course meal prepared by Holly's Country Kitchen of Monticello. This two-hour train ride includes your choice of Honey Thyme Roasted Chicken, Pork Tenderloin or Pasta Primavera, salad, sides, and dessert.
Pizza on the Rails
June 8, August 3 and September 14, 2024
Join us for a new and exciting family friendly event, Pizza on the Rails on board one of our historic open window passenger cars. Each passenger will enjoy their own personal pizza from Domino’s as well as drinks and dessert! Passengers can choose from a Cheese, Pepperoni or Sausage hand-tossed pizza. Drink options will include a variety of sodas, tea, and water and cookies will be served for dessert.
Roaring 20’s Murder mystery Dinner Train
June 22, 2024
Join us for a “Roaring 20’s” themed murder mystery dinner on board our train ride and take a step back in time. Visit us Saturday, June 22nd for an exciting evening of mystery and mayhem presented by Champaign Urbana Theatre Company’s Seven Corse Dinner Murder Mysteries. Passengers on board this themed event will be treated to a three-course meal prepared by Holly’s County Kitchen while they ride in style in a dining car! Entree options will include Honey Thyme Roasted Chicken, Pork Tenderloin, or Pasta Primavera.
The SUnSet Streamliner
July 13, 2024
Climb aboard the Sunset Streamliner on for a trip back in time to postwar America. Our 1953-built Wabash diesel locomotive No. 1189 is set to pull a train of our vintage passenger cars through the beautiful Illinois countryside during the twilight hours. Passengers can choose from coach class, dining car or private car including a boxed dinner, or even ride in the cab of the streamliner!
Railroad Days
September 21 – 22, 2024
Come enjoy unlimited rides on our vintage passenger and freight trains. Motive power will include steam locomotive 401 and several of our vintage diesels. Visit museum displays, kids’ games, food trucks, and more!
Fall Sunset Dinner Train
September 28, 2024
Ride in style on one of our restored Illinois Central dining cars as you enjoy a delicious four-course dinner and enjoy the fall scenery of Central Illinois. This two hour train ride includes your choice of Filet Medallions (gluten free), Cornish Game Hen, or Pasta Primavera (Gluten Free), sides, and dessert, all prepared by our friends at Holly’s County Kitchen of Monticello! You can choose to ride in a historic dining car or enjoy an exclusive experience on board our private car.
Lunch with Santa on the Train
December 7-8
The festive Lunch with Santa Trains are sponsored by the The Monticello Chamber of Commerce.
The Polar Express™
November 15-17, 22-24, 29-30 and December 1, 6-8.
Take a magical ride on the Polar Express! Read along with the story as the train makes its round-trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate, surprises, and a special gift! This event is sold out.