We had such a great time. The staff was amazing. Answered all the questions that we had. I would say there's alot to do and see. I only have one complaint is that I wish the train ride was longer.

Loved this place. Many many restored cars, nice ride and great employees.

Great afternoon visit for my five year old son and me. The hour-long ride is well worth the price of a ticket. Have been thrice and will definitely go again!

They're 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. Can't wait till May to see if things clear up enough for them to reopen.

If you love trains and historical facts this is a must see! EVERY staff member is not only friendly, you're encouraged to roam the property and explore! Looking forward to the Polar Express 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, couldn't have had a better day spent anywhere else as we did.

One of the nicest railroad museums around. All volunteer run. Tickets might sound high for some, however it's their only source of income, and keeping these samples of a bygone era isn't cheap.

Great collection great volunteers

The museum itself is free to park, enter, and tour. Riding on the railroad incurs a per-passenger fee. Have been here a few times, but this most recent trip was even better than before. Enjoyed seeing all the improvements to the facilities, new and restored railroad equipment, and riding behind the steam locomotive. Will definitely visit again!

Real live trains. And 7 times to ride on summer weekends.

Interesting and accommodating for my special needs daughter

Fun for all!

(Translated by Google) Very interesting place !!! (Original) Local muito interessante!!!

The kids loved the train ride and the museum was full of so much information and history. My family loved it.

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 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

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.

Fantastic -- will probably do this again at some point. The kids loved it!

Our 4 year old grandson loved it! The train ride was just long enough, and the volunteers were incredibly helpful

Visited for the return of Southern 401 and was not disappointed. Train ran on time, employees were helpful and respectful. Even got to ride the passenger train that 401 was pulling. This was a perfect day at Monticello.

Friendly volunteers. Very informative!

We booked the donut train for a fun dad and son day (my son and I as well as a friend and his son). It was a great time. The donuts are quality and plentiful which seems like a small thing but they can definitely make cheaper choices and don’t. The staff were great and made sure we had a great experience. Also, the museum was a great stop (before or) after our ride.

This was a fantastic museum. I grew up in this general area and never knew about this museum until the day before our visit. If you're going to go to the museum I recommend about 2 hours in the main exhibit buildings and an hour for the train ride which is completely worth it.

What a wonderful hidden gem. The museum is first rate. Lots of railroad exhibits, including actual restored railcars and engines that you can go inside of. Most everything is inside or covered, so don't worry if the weather isn't cooperating. But the BEST part is the actual ride in a restored railcar. Best entertainment for $15 I had in a long time. Give it a try. You'll be planning your next visit before you're done.

Took kids to ride behind the 401, had a great time. Went through the shop talked to some of the volunteers son was able to get on the engine. A great experience for my daughter she learned some information too.

Really great people and a great train ride, 0nly wished we could have had the old Steam engine pulling and pushing us ..

Fantastic place with a ton to look at in the museum area, make sure you keep walking to the back “Nelson car barn” where there is a ton more to walk through. Train ride is great fun, especially when the steam engine 401 is running.

Attended "The Doughnut Train" event. The doughnuts were second to none. I would call them gourmet. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Refreshments were also served, and for anyone who wasn't a fan of doughnuts, they had fresh fruit and yogurt too. My kids loved it. The museum also had multiple trains to explore. Parking was a little cramped. Every building and train was well maintained for period pieces.

My son and i loved the train ride.

I have been to many train museums. This is by far one of the best in the country. All trains, exhibition and tracks are well maintained. 401 steam locomotive is such a beauty. Highly recommend for tourist of all ages.

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.

It's sad that museum is closed because of COVID-19. Miss the livelihood.. though enjoyed taking photos there..

Great place to come ride a train or a caboose. Polar Express and special events offered at different times throughout the year.

Very sad that it was closed because of Covid this year but I still enjoyed walking around and looking at the trains!

Great place for train buffs, kids, and people of all ages. Wish the steam train ride was longer, but it's still amazing!

👁 👄 👁

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 in The 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 instructions Paul 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 haha Harleymike.chicago

With the virus going on we had the place to ourselves that was awesome

Great collection of old Illinois Central equipment!

Had a great time with my son and grandsons

My boys love going on the train, in the summer! The museums have fun things inside the station's, even a bunch of gift items. Then you can go I to the train, that's forever stationed and have a look on how everything was back in the day! It's pretty cool. And a good family time

Been going here for years. Good amount of relics and they seem to be growing.

Rare locomotives

Trains! What to say they are loud dangerous and no concern about your travel plans

Great place to take family

We had so much fun. A lot of steam train history.

Excellent polar Express experience

Very friendly, great train rides and there's something for the whole family.

fun short ride maybe go back when its warmer

It was closed when we went but with love looking at all the trains

Awesome place to go to and make a day of!

Waste of time

Neat place! Make sure to go on a weekend when the steam engine is running.

Heard you guys got a new one-of-a-kind addition to your diesel locomotive fleet. Hope to come down some day and see C&IM 31 in emerald green paint and in action