For Fourth of July Weekend 2025, join IRM for an expanded schedule featuring extra steam, diesel and electric trains as well as rarely seen operations. Expanded train operations will be held Friday through Sunday.

We are excited to announce that the Nebraska Zephyr will be operating two dinner trips on Independence Day Weekend, a rare occasion for dining on this train! The dinner train will operate Friday, July 4th, and Saturday, July 5th, departing East Union Depot at 5:00 PM. Dinner service lasts approximately two hours.

As you travel through the Illinois countryside, we will begin the evening with a shrimp cocktail, followed by a summer salad. Our main entrée will be filet mignon with red wine mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts. A plate of selected cheeses will then be served, followed by the evening's dessert.

Your ticket includes access to the museum on the day of the event and a choice of nonalcoholic beverages. The museum will allow passengers to bring one bottle of wine per couple, which our crew will be happy to serve to you.

Pricing is set at $140 per person, or $660 for a party of up to 4 seated exclusively in the parlor car Juno, famously featured in A League of Their Own.

Schedule of Events

July 4th, 2025

Diesel Coach Train (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
J. Neils Lumber 5 and the Steam Coach-Caboose Train
Chicago Aurora & Elgin 309 and 319
Illinois Terminal 101
Chicago Rapid Transit 1754 and 1797 (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
Chicago Surface Lines 144

July 5th, 2025

Chicago Burlington & Quincy 9911A and the Nebraska Zephyr
J. Neils Lumber 5 and the Steam Coach-Caboose Train (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
Chicago Aurora & Elgin 431 and 460
Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 714 and 749
Northwestern Elevated Railroad 24
Chicago Surface Lines 1374
Chicago Transit Authority 3142

July 6th, 2025

Diesel Coach Train (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
J. Neils Lumber 5 and the Steam Coach-Caboose Train
Chicago Rapid Transit 1754 and 1797 (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
Chicago Transit Authority 4410 and 4412 (this train is wheelchair-accessible)
Chicago Transit Authority 4391
Cooperativa de Transportes Urbanos y Sub-Urbanos 19

Date: July 4-6, 2025

Time: 10:00AM to 5:00PM (last train 4:00PM)

Cost: Adults $20.00, Seniors and Youths $18.00, Children $16.00

Location: Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, IL 60180

Reserve Dinner Tickets Here

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