Historic railcars and interactive exhibits will be showcased this week in Pullman on the city’s South Side to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metra Electric line.
Officials made the announcement Thursday at a news conference at the Millennium Station Downtown.
The Railroad Days celebration, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pullman Historical National Park, will feature a restored 1926 Pullman electric railcar and a vintage 1970s-era railcar. Visitors also can explore model train displays; a science, technology, engineering, art and math fair with hands-on science and engineering activities; food trucks; live music and presentations. Tickets are $20 before Saturday and $25 on Saturday and Sunday.
Friends of Pullman Executive Director Peggy Parfenoff said the transition from steam-powered locomotives to electric rail service helped transform the city.
“The electrification 100 years ago really changed the shape of the city,” Parfenoff said. “They raised the tracks, they cleaned up the lakefront, and they made it the lakefront for us to enjoy today with beaches, museums and everything we have along it.”
Some electric railcars were built in Pullman.
For Parfenoff, the event is about much more than trains.
“Pullman was not just a factory,” she said.
Parfenoff added that the Pullman train line and neighborhood is historic, with landmark structures.
“It’s a place that crosses everybody’s history, and I think people don’t realize that,” Parfenoff said.
She said she hopes visitors leave the exhibit and neighborhood with a greater appreciation of how transportation helped change Chicago.
“I hope people understand how this one event brought Chicago together,” Parfenoff said. “Electrification really helped move the city forward.”
Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said the Illinois Central Railroad’s decision to electrify the line in 1926 eventually created one of the country’s earliest examples of sustainable commuter rail service.
“We were green before green was invented,” said Derwinski, noting that electric commuter rail continues to greatly decrease emissions throughout the city.
On Thursday, some train enthusiasts visited some of the railcars displayed at Millennium Station.
Ben Franz, 42, who grew up riding the Metra between Blue Island and Downtown Chicago, said stepping aboard the vintage 1970s railcars brought back childhood memories.
“It feels so familiar walking on it,” Franz said. “It feels almost modern even though it’s not.”
Franz said he plans to attend Railroad Days Sunday and is looking forward to photographing the historic trains at Pullman National Historical Park.
“I love national parks, and I love trains,” he said. “The train cars, the model trains — it all sounds exciting to me.”
Rick Martin, a rail fan for more than 60 years, said his fascination with trains began during a childhood trip to northern Minnesota.
“The whole experience just got stuck in my head,” Martin said. “Whenever I get on a train, I just feel at home.”
Martin said he also plans to spend the weekend photographing the historic train equipment in Pullman.
Beyond the nostalgia, he said he hopes younger generations recognize rail transportation’s continued value.
“It’s really good to see a lot of young folks around here,” Martin said. “They’re interested, they’re learning, and we’ve got to keep rail transportation going. It’s the most efficient, least-polluting way to move people around.”