Historic Pullman Foundation invites you to step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel during the Fourth Annual Pullman Railroad Days May 17–18 at Pullman National Historical Park. A beloved celebration of American railroad history, industrial innovation, and cultural legacy, the weekend promises two unforgettable days filled with captivating exhibits, neighborhood tours, family fun, and living history.
Presented in partnership with Metra and the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO), the event features exclusive access to beautifully restored Pullman railcars on display at the 111th Street/Pullman Metra Electric Station. Two of the railcars featured at this year’s event are the 1928 “SuitsMe,” originally built for the president of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, and the 1953 “Promontory Point,” a long-distance sleeper turned executive business car.
Beyond the railcars, the park will be alive with activities for all ages. Hop aboard Little Obie, a replica train that will travel all around the national park. Or, visit the Model Train Extravaganza at Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall—featuring hundreds of feet of miniature track and vintage model trains, courtesy of Chicago’s top model railroad clubs. Guests can also ride a Pullman-era CTA bus around the historic community.
Walking tours will offer a closer look at Pullman’s rich legacy, including the popular Tragedy to Innovation Tour, the Illinois Labor History Tour, and the First Sunday Walking Tour of the historic district. Live entertainment, food from local favorites, an antique car show, and featured exhibits will round out the festival experience.
This year’s Pullman Railroad Days also marks a significant milestone: the 100th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation’s first Black labor union, founded in 1925. The legacy of this historic union—and its trailblazing leader, A. Philip Randolph—will befront and center. Exhibits and programs from partners including the DuSable Museum, Pullman Porter Museum, and Bronzeville Black Metropolis will tell the story of the porters’ fight for dignity, labor rights, and racial justice.
“This celebration brings together everything that makes Pullman unique—its powerful history, its beautiful railcars, and its inspiring stories of progress,” said Joe Szabo, HPF President Emeritus and this year’s Pullman Railroad Days Chairman. “There’s no better place to experience America’s stories in such a meaningful and dynamic way.”
Tickets are available now, with early-bird pricing of $25 ($22 for HPF members) through May 9. After that, regular admission will be $35 ($30 for members). Children under 12 are free, and new HPF memberships are 50% off during the event. To purchase tickets go to bit.ly/PullmanRRD, or visit pullmanil.org for more details.
Whether you’re a lifelong rail enthusiast, a history lover, or just looking for a great day of family fun, Pullman Railroad Days are a rare chance to experience Chicago’s only national park in full motion.
For more information or to schedule an interview with event leaders, please contact Bart Darress at 773-569-6499 or email bdarress@pullmanil.org.
