September 12, 2021, Chatham IL
The Chatham Railroad Museum was founded in 1999, under the auspices of the Chicago & Illinois Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, to preserve local railroad history.
The Chatham Railroad Museum Association (CRMA) consists of members who have a love of local railroad history and the Chatham Depot. Active CRMA members volunteer to operate and maintain its artifacts and displays under an agreement with the Village of Chatham.
The Depot has been beautifully restored and contains over 7,000 artifacts on display.
The three main railroads are Chicago & Alton, Gulf Mobile & Ohio, and Illinois Terminal, which served passengers and freight in Chatham.
The first train came through Chatham in 1852. The first train to stop in Chatham was 1902. The last passenger train to stop in Chatham was in 1956 and the last freight train stopping in Chatham was in 1972.
Union Pacific and Amtrak still use the tracks adjacent to the museum many times daily. While we were there, an Amtrak passenger train came through at about 80mph!
The Chatham Depot & Railroad Museum
100 North State Street
Chatham, IL 62629
Facebook: Chatham-IL-Depot & Railway Museum
Phone:
217.415.3551
Hours of Operation:
May - September
- Every Saturday 1-3pm
October - April
- 2nd & 4th Sundays 2-4pm
Except Holidays
NOTE: Discussion of museum and depot taken from the museum's brochure.