9 Best Train Museums to Visit in the U.S.

"The Illinois Railway Museum is located just off Interstate 90, about 45 minutes west of O'Hare Airport, and is the self-proclaimed largest railway museum in the country,"

"Depending upon the day of your visit, you can take a ride behind a steam locomotive, interurban cars, or even the original Nebraska Zephyr streamlined passenger train (featured in the film 'A League of Their Own')."

"The collection features a wide variety of railroad equipment, including steam, electric, and diesel locomotives, freight and passenger cars, streetcars, interurbans, and more. Other highlights include the Electroliner, a Union Pacific turbine locomotive, and an operating Shay steam locomotive,"

"This one is interactive, and you can actually walk through the train cars. I also think this one is best for kids, because there's a short train ride and lots of space for them to run around,"

Train museums across the United States preserve the history of railroad expansion while providing hands-on exhibits and scenic rides. The Illinois Railway Museum near O'Hare houses a vast collection of steam, electric, and diesel locomotives, interurbans, passenger and freight cars, and operating equipment such as the Nebraska Zephyr, the Electroliner, a Union Pacific turbine, and a Shay steam locomotive, with ride opportunities on select days. The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay features more than 70 cars, interactive walk-through experiences, a short family-friendly train ride, the only A4 Class Dwight D. Eisenhower, and themed events like Dinner Train and Polar Express rides.

Read at Travel + Leisure