IRM Strahorn Library

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IRM Strahorn Library Open to the public on Wednesday's 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Please check back prior to your visit for any weather-related announcements or holiday closures.

Wabash Class L-1 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" steam locomotive #2515 ALCO Brooks Works July 1917. Used primarily for heavy freight...
10/25/2026

Wabash Class L-1 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" steam locomotive #2515 ALCO Brooks Works July 1917. Used primarily for heavy freight service, particularly hauling long freight trains across routes linking major hubs like Chicago, St. Louis, and Decatur, Illinois.
Like the rest of the L-1 class, No. 2515 was eventually retired and disposed of as diesel locomotives took over the fleet, with no members of the class surviving into preservation. Decatur, Illinois July 17, 1938.

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

October 25, 1848 - Pioneer Locomotive Operates First Train Run out of ChicagoThe Galena and Chicago Union Railroad opera...
10/25/2026

October 25, 1848 - Pioneer Locomotive Operates First Train Run out of Chicago

The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad operated the Pioneer on a historic five-mile run westward from Chicago toward the Des Plaines River. Hauling civic officials and journalists over strap-iron rails, this trip marked the first revenue train run out of Chicago, establishing the city's role as a railway hub.

The Chicago Daily Democrat, October 26, 1848, p. 2.

Ann Arbor Railroad 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" locomotive #121 (an F-1 class engine) was part of a group of 12 similar locomoti...
10/24/2026

Ann Arbor Railroad 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" locomotive #121 (an F-1 class engine) was part of a group of 12 similar locomotives purchased by the railroad between 1898 and 1902.

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

November 4, 1893 - Lake Street Elevated Railroad Operates First Trial TrainThe Lake Street Elevated Railroad operated it...
10/24/2026

November 4, 1893 - Lake Street Elevated Railroad Operates First Trial Train

The Lake Street Elevated Railroad operated its first official trial train over the new iron structure from the western city limits toward downtown. Carrying civic officials, journalists, and company executives, the steam-powered run confirmed the line's structural integrity prior to its formal public opening in November.

The Street Railway Review, Vol. 3, No. 11 (November 1893), p. 683.

Grand Trunk Railway (New England) No. 7527 is a historic USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher locomotive built by Schenectady in 19...
10/23/2026

Grand Trunk Railway (New England) No. 7527 is a historic USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher locomotive built by Schenectady in 1919. No. 7525 operated during the steam-to-diesel transition era of the railroad. Last steam at Portland, Maine June 20, 1956

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

October 23, 1936 - Burlington Route Denver Zephyr Shatters World RecordThe Chicago, Burlington and Quincy operated its n...
10/23/2026

October 23, 1936 - Burlington Route Denver Zephyr Shatters World Record

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy operated its new 12-car stainless-steel Denver Zephyr on a non-stop trial run from Chicago to Denver. Hauled by a 3,000-horsepower diesel locomotive, the train completed the 1,017-mile run in 12 hours, 12 minutes, establishing a world distance speed record averaging 83.33 mph.

Railway Age, Vol. 101, No. 18 (October 31, 1936), pp. 617–621.

Grand Trunk Western 5627 is a K-4-a class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built in 1924 by the American Locomotive...
10/22/2026

Grand Trunk Western 5627 is a K-4-a class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built in 1924 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) as a copy of the USRA Light Pacifics.

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

October 22, 1934 - Union Pacific Streamliner M-10001 Departs on Transcontinental SprintThe Union Pacific Railroad dispat...
10/22/2026

October 22, 1934 - Union Pacific Streamliner M-10001 Departs on Transcontinental Sprint

The Union Pacific Railroad dispatched its custom six-car aluminum streamliner M-10001 from Los Angeles on a historic cross-country dash. Arriving in Chicago's LaSalle Street Station on October 24, the train sustained speeds of 120 mph across the plains, proving the commercial viability of long-distance diesel passenger rail.

Railway Age, Vol. 97, No. 18 (November 3, 1934), pp. 539–543.

APALACHICOLA NORTHERN RAILROAD'S UNITS NUMBER 714, 716 & 718Sunday afternoon, September 24, 1978 finds Apalachicola Nort...
10/21/2026

APALACHICOLA NORTHERN RAILROAD'S UNITS NUMBER 714, 716 & 718

Sunday afternoon, September 24, 1978 finds Apalachicola Northern's SW-1500's Number 714, 716 & 718 on the ready track at Port St. Joe, Florida.
The Apalachicola Northern operates for freight service between Port Joe and Chattahoochee, Florida where it connects with the Seaboard and Louisville & Nashville.

Photo Courtesy: Mary Jayne Rowe

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

October 21, 1892 - World's Columbian Exposition Dedication CeremoniesThe formal dedication ceremonies for the World's Co...
10/21/2026

October 21, 1892 - World's Columbian Exposition Dedication Ceremonies

The formal dedication ceremonies for the World's Columbian Exposition took place at Jackson Park. Over 100,000 attendees were transported to the fairgrounds primarily by the heavily taxed but successful Illinois Central suburban trains and the newly opened South Side elevated, previewing the transit demands of 1893.

The Chicago Daily Tribune, October 22, 1892, p. 1.

Address

118 E Washington Street
Marengo, IL
60152

Opening Hours

10am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+18155681060

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