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Public transportation to the IRM

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  • Member since
    July 2006
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Public transportation to the IRM
Posted by NKP guy on Thursday, June 12, 2014 9:34 AM

I'm interested in visiting the Illinois Railroad Museum in Union, Illinois.  Since I won't have a car to drive there I wonder if someone here can tell me how, by using public transportation, including a taxi, if necessary, I can get to the museum from Chicago.

One would think the IRM's extensive website would indicate this, but it doesn't; it assumes everyone drives.  Also, if driving really is the only way to get there, is that really an asset or advantage to the museum in any conceivable way?

The Metra website isn't any more helpful, so I turn to you, my fellow railfans, for this information.

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:03 AM

The closest that you can get to the IRM would be either Crystal Lake or Woodstock on the CNW(UP) Northwest Line or Elgin on the MILW West Line.  You would have to take a cab from there.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: The 17th hole at TPC
  • 2,283 posts
Posted by n012944 on Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:14 AM

NKP guy

  Also, if driving really is the only way to get there, is that really an asset or advantage to the museum in any conceivable way?

Yes.  By being located in an area that is not developed enough for public transportation, the museum has less to worry about with neighbors.  Neighbors do no like noise, smoke and traffic around them. The museum produces all of those.  There are also less of a  security concern with fewer people around that are bored and willing to do dumb things to pass the time.  It has also permitted the IRM to grow, as land was somewhat cheap in the early years, do to being just farm land.

All that being said, the two closest Metra stations are the Woodstock stop on the CNW Northwest Line, or the Big Timber Road stop on the MILW West line.  You should be able to take a cab from either of those.

An "expensive model collector"

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