Illinois Terminal Railroad historic collections in Central Illinois, Illinois
Rail preservation groupNo public site or posted hours; history kept by the Illinois Traction Society and archive collections
The Illinois Terminal Railroad began as a group of street railways and became the Illinois Traction System, one of the Midwest's leading electric interurbans, serving central Illinois and St. Louis for most of the 20th century. Its history lives on through the Illinois Traction Society and archive collections.
- Interurban electric railroad
- Served Illinois and St. Louis
- Called Illinois Traction System until 1937
- Records at McLean County Museum of History
Illinois Terminal Railroad historic collections at a glance
- Hours
- No public hours posted; contact the Illinois Traction Society or the McLean County Museum of History
- Admission
- Not posted
- Best for
- Researchers, interurban fans and older students
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
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Taking the kids to Illinois Terminal Railroad historic collections? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Central Illinois.
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From street railways to the Illinois Traction System
The Illinois Terminal was an unusual railroad. The Illinois Traction Society, which devotes itself to the line's history, says it served Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri from 1895 to 1981, growing from a set of street railways into one of the Midwest's premier interurbans. Until 1937 it carried the name Illinois Traction System, and it ran heavy electric trains with a large passenger and freight business across central and southern Illinois.
Today there is no single museum building for the Illinois Terminal. Its story is kept by the Illinois Traction Society, which calls itself the society for Illinois Terminal history, and by archive collections such as the Illinois Traction and Terminal Collection at the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington. That collection holds newspaper articles, timetables, maps, annual reports and other memorabilia from both companies. Anyone hoping to see these materials should contact the society or the museum first, since no public viewing hours for the collections are posted online.
Where the Illinois Terminal story can be found
There is no single site to visit. The Illinois Traction Society website is the main home for the railroad's history. The McLean County Museum of History holds a finding aid for its Illinois Traction and Terminal Collection, which lists clippings, book and magazine excerpts, timetables, maps and annual reports. Researchers and rail fans should ask the museum how to view the collection before making a trip.
Don’t miss
- Illinois Traction and Terminal CollectionHeld at the McLean County Museum of History, it gathers timetables, maps, annual reports and clippings that trace both companies.
- The Illinois Traction SocietyA society focused entirely on Illinois Terminal history, and the best starting point for anyone researching the line.
A history to explore at home with older kids
This is a research collection rather than a place with trains to climb, so it suits older kids and teens with a school project or a real interest in Illinois history. Old timetables and maps can be a fun way to show children how people once rode electric trains between towns. For a hands-on day, pick one of the operating museums on our Illinois list instead.
Plan your visit: tips for Illinois Terminal Railroad historic collections
- Start with the Illinois Traction Society website for the railroad's history.
- Ask the McLean County Museum of History about access before visiting to see its collection.
- Search under both names, Illinois Traction System and Illinois Terminal, since the company changed names in 1937.
The society that keeps the line's memory
The Illinois Traction Society describes itself as the society for Illinois Terminal history, and it is the main group keeping the railroad's story alive. The McLean County Museum of History cares for a related archive collection. Membership details are not posted in an easy-to-find place, so check the society's website to learn how to join or contribute.
Train museums to visit in Illinois
Because these collections have no single address, the best next step for a family outing is a museum with trains you can see up close. Browse every train museum in Illinois, or start from our guide to train museums across the country.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Reading about old interurban timetables made me think of how carefully Rally packs in our book: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, all ready for the trip. People who rode these electric trains between Illinois towns had their own little bags and routines too. My kids are learning to read now, and train stories are a favorite. You can find more on our train books for toddlers page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Illinois Terminal Railroad historic collections?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Illinois Terminal Railroad history: 20 common questions
What was the Illinois Terminal Railroad?
The Illinois Terminal Railroad was an electric interurban railroad with a large passenger and freight business in central and southern Illinois. It grew from a group of street railways into the Illinois Traction System, which the Illinois Traction Society calls one of the Midwest's premier interurbans, and it linked central Illinois with St. Louis, Missouri.
When did the Illinois Terminal Railroad operate?
The Illinois Traction Society says the railroad served Illinois and St. Louis from 1895 to 1981. Wikipedia describes its period as a heavy duty interurban with extensive passenger and freight service as running from 1896 to 1958. The difference likely reflects when the interurban era ended versus when the company itself ended.
What was the Illinois Traction System?
Illinois Traction System was the earlier name of the Illinois Terminal Railroad, used until 1937. Under that name it became one of the Midwest's leading electric interurbans, carrying passengers and freight between central Illinois towns and St. Louis. Researchers should search both names, since records from before and after 1937 use different titles.
Is there an Illinois Terminal Railroad museum I can visit?
There is no single museum building dedicated to the Illinois Terminal with posted public hours. The railroad's history is kept by the Illinois Traction Society and by archive collections such as one at the McLean County Museum of History. Check the society's website for current information before planning a trip.
Who is the Illinois Traction Society?
The Illinois Traction Society is a group that describes itself as the society for Illinois Terminal history. Its website, illinoistractionsociety.org, is the main online home for the railroad's story. The society does not post an address, phone number or email on its home page, so the website is the best way to reach it.
Where are Illinois Terminal Railroad records kept?
One known collection is the Illinois Traction and Terminal Collection at the McLean County Museum of History, which has published a finding aid. It includes newspaper articles, excerpts from books and magazines, timetables, maps, annual reports and other memorabilia from the Illinois Traction Company and the Illinois Terminal Railroad Company.
Can I see the Illinois Traction collection at the McLean County Museum of History?
The museum has a published finding aid for the collection, which suggests it is available for research. The museum does not list online how to request access or what hours apply. Contact the McLean County Museum of History before your visit to ask how to view the materials and whether an appointment is needed.
Where did the Illinois Terminal Railroad run?
The railroad served central and southern Illinois and reached St. Louis, Missouri. Sources describe the route from Peoria to St. Louis as one the Illinois Traction System long had to itself. For detailed maps of the full system, the timetables and maps in archive collections are the best place to look.
Who founded the Illinois Traction System?
Search sources credit the vision of William B. McKinley for building the Illinois Traction System into the large interurban it became. The earliest piece of the Illinois Terminal name came from a small switching line with no interurban ties until Illinois Traction acquired it. The Illinois Traction Society site is a good place to learn more.
Why was the Illinois Terminal Railroad considered unique?
It made a rare transition from a collection of street railroads to a heavy duty interurban that hauled freight as well as passengers. That freight business set it apart from many electric lines that carried mostly riders. Some rail historians call it one of the most successful interurbans ever built.
Are there Illinois Terminal Railroad photos online?
Rail history sites post maps, rosters and photos of the Illinois Terminal, and the Illinois Traction Society website focuses on the railroad's history. For original documents, the McLean County Museum of History collection includes timetables, maps and memorabilia. No single official photo archive is listed online.
Can you ride an Illinois Terminal train today?
No Illinois Terminal train runs in regular public passenger service that the society advertises, and this page covers historic collections rather than a ride. For a train ride with kids, choose one of the operating railroads on our Illinois museum list and check its own schedule before you go.
Is the Illinois Terminal Railroad collection good for kids?
It is better for older children and teens with an interest in history than for toddlers. Archive collections of timetables, maps and reports do not offer trains to climb on. Younger kids will have more fun at an Illinois railroad museum with equipment to explore and rides on event days.
How do I join the Illinois Traction Society?
The Illinois Traction Society does not post membership details on its home page. Visit illinoistractionsociety.org to look for current membership information, publications and ways to get involved. Since no phone or email is posted there, the website is the most reliable starting point.
Can I donate Illinois Terminal memorabilia?
Neither group posts a donation process online. If you have Illinois Traction or Illinois Terminal timetables, photos or papers, contact the Illinois Traction Society through its website or ask the McLean County Museum of History whether its collection accepts related materials.
What kind of trains did the Illinois Terminal run?
It ran electric interurban trains, powered from overhead wire rather than steam, along with freight service. It began as a group of street railways, so its roots were in streetcars. Equipment rosters are posted on rail history sites, and the Illinois Traction Society focuses on the details.
Does the Illinois Terminal collection have an address or phone number?
No single address, phone number or email is listed online for the Illinois Terminal historic collections. The Illinois Traction Society can be reached through illinoistractionsociety.org, and the McLean County Museum of History, which holds a related collection, can be contacted directly.
Is the Illinois Terminal the same as the Illinois Central?
No. The Illinois Terminal was a separate electric interurban railroad, known as the Illinois Traction System until 1937, serving central and southern Illinois and St. Louis. It should not be confused with other Illinois railroads of similar names when researching records or photos.
What is a good book or resource about the Illinois Terminal?
The Illinois Traction Society website is the main resource for the railroad's history, plus the McLean County Museum of History finding aid, which lists the collection's contents. Online rail history sites also post maps, rosters and summaries that make a good starting point.
What train museums can I visit in central Illinois?
This collection has no single address, so it does not have a nearby list of its own. Our Illinois train museum page lists museums, depots and railroads around the state, many of which have equipment to explore and seasonal ride days. Check each one's hours before you go.
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