Freeport, IL
Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad
4.4· 51 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-25- TypeSeasonal nonprofit heritage railroad offering a 3.4-mile round trip from Silver Creek Depot
- LocationFreeport, IL
- Rating4.4 ★51 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Oct 17
- Typical ride3.4-mile round trip
- Tickets & faresAdults $10; children under 12 $2; cab ride $20
About Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad
Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad is a nonprofit educational heritage operation south of Freeport. Its published experience is a 3.4-mile round trip from Silver Creek Depot over track volunteers began laying in 1985 on former Milwaukee Road right-of-way. The 2026 schedule has four remaining train dates after August 23: regular hourly rides on Labor Day and Train of Terror on three October Saturdays. Regular trains are listed hourly from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.; Halloween trains leave hourly from 6 through 9 p.m. The railroad preserves a 1912 Heisler steam locomotive, internal-combustion locomotives, historic cabooses, and passenger equipment, but the operator warns that antique equipment often requires substitutions. Treat every locomotive image or roster entry as history, not a day-of steam guarantee.
Choose the Silver Creek Visit That Fits
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies and railfans seeking a daytime heritage ride
Regular Labor Day train rides
Choose one of six hourly departures from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. on September 7 and bring an accepted form of payment.
Halloween visitors comfortable with an after-dark themed ride
Train of Terror
Use one of the October 17, 24, or 31 evening dates; tickets are sold that night beginning at 5 p.m. for hourly 6-9 p.m. departures.
Machinery, local-history, and railroad-collection visitors
Silver Creek Museum and Cooper engine
Add the onsite 28-room museum on an operating date and use the schedule to confirm when the separate Cooper stationary engine is running.
Visitors who want broader Freeport context
Stephenson County Historical Museum
Continue about 2.2 driving miles to an independent museum covering Freeport homes, toys, industry, and landscape history.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- AccessibilityThe checked official sources do not publish boarding steps, lift, wheelchair seating, restroom accessibility, or transfer details; call before an access-dependent visit
- Remaining 2026 DatesSeptember 7 regular rides; October 17, 24, and 31 Train of Terror
- Regular DeparturesHourly at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. on the listed regular date
- Terror DeparturesHourly at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m. on each listed Train of Terror date
- Regular FaresAdults $10; children under 12 $2; cab ride $20
- Terror Fare$10 for all tickets; same-night sales begin at 5 p.m. and no advance tickets are published
- PaymentCash or good local check only; the official schedule says no credit or debit cards
- Ride Length3.4-mile round trip
- Motive PowerHeisler No. 2 is preserved, but diesel or other equipment may substitute when antique machinery is unavailable
- Onsite MuseumSilver Creek Museum has 28 rooms and is published for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the same operating dates
- Cooper EngineThe separate 130-ton Cooper Corliss engine is published for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on September 7
- Contact815-235-2198 on train days; 815-232-2306 on other days
- TimezoneAll published times are local Central Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The official roster identifies coal-fired geared Heisler No. 2, built in 1912 and acquired in 1982; 1938 gasoline Plymouth No. 3; 1945 Brookville No. 5; and 1954 diesel Davenport No. 7. Passenger equipment includes an 1889 Hannibal & St. Joseph caboose that the operator describes as Illinois's oldest operating caboose, a 1941 Milwaukee Road bay-window caboose, open cars converted from industrial and military equipment, and a Fairmont speeder. Preservation or roster status does not establish the locomotive, consist, accessibility, or availability for a specific departure. The operator's substitution warning controls.
History
Heisler Locomotive Works completed the locomotive now rostered as No. 2.
The club acquired Heisler No. 2 for restoration and operation.
The club acquired 1.72 miles of former Milwaukee Road right-of-way.
Volunteers laid the first new track on May 28.
Silver Creek Museum opened in the former county-home complex.
The reconstructed Cooper stationary engine completed its first test run at the museum site.
Silver Creek Depot was dedicated on May 31.
The operator published a complete seasonal schedule with regular rides and three Train of Terror nights remaining after August 23.
See full history
The Stephenson County Antique Engine Club bought Heisler No. 2 in 1982 and acquired 1.72 miles of former Milwaukee Road right-of-way in 1983 after its rail and ties had been removed. Volunteers laid the first new track on May 28, 1985, built a train shed in 1986, and developed a 3.4-mile round-trip heritage ride. Silver Creek Depot was dedicated on May 31, 1993. Its design draws on the Illinois Central depot at Eleroy and includes a ticket office and railroad memorabilia. The adjacent museum opened in 1989 and the restored Cooper stationary engine first ran at the site in 1991, building a broader machinery-and-local-history campus around the train.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the remaining 2026 train rides?
Regular rides are published for September 7. Train of Terror is published for October 17, 24, and 31. No later 2026 train date appears on the complete schedule.
How often do trains leave?
Regular departures are hourly at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. Train of Terror departures are hourly at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
How much are tickets?
Regular fares are $10 for adults and $2 for children under 12; a cab ride is $20. Train of Terror tickets are $10 for everyone.
Can I pay by credit card?
No. The published 2026 schedule says cash or a good local check only and specifically says no credit or debit cards.
Will the 1912 Heisler pull my train?
Do not assume so. The operator preserves Heisler No. 2 but warns that antique equipment often needs substitution and that diesel power may be used.
Is the train wheelchair-accessible?
The checked sources do not publish train-specific lift, transfer, step, doorway, securement, seating, or accessible-restroom details. Call before an access-dependent visit.
Can I visit the museum with the train?
Yes on published dates and hours. The 28-room Silver Creek Museum is listed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Cooper engine operation is listed separately on selected dates.
Where is the railroad?
Use 2954 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, Illinois 61032. Call 815-235-2198 on train days or 815-232-2306 on other days.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 25, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Live official 2026 schedule for dates, departures, fares, payment, and museum hours
- Live official railroad page for route, contacts, substitution warning, depot, and development history
- Live official equipment roster for locomotives, cabooses, open cars, and specifications
- Live official Train of Terror page for the after-dark experience and departure pattern
- Live official museum page for the 28-room collection and visitor relationship
- Live official Cooper engine page for industrial history, weight, flywheel, and restoration chronology
- Greater Freeport Partnership history directory for independent regional context
- Enjoy Illinois attraction record for independent identity and location confirmation
