Train Saturdays

Description

All Aboard for Train Saturdays on Turner Court: Where Art, History & Generations Meet

Trains have long been part of West Chicago’s story—so much so that the city itself owes its founding to the railroads. But trains haven’t just connected tracks and towns; they’ve connected people, families, and generations.

Train Saturdays on Turner Court brings that spirit to life on select Saturdays this summer:
July 19, August 9, and August 23 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at 134 Turner Court.

Hosted by the West Chicago City Museum in partnership with Gallery 200, this event series invites families, rail fans, and art lovers to explore the legacy of trains in our community—both in motion and in memory.

Why the Railroad Matters

West Chicago’s history begins at the tracks. The city grew from a railroad junction where the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad met other lines in the mid-1800s. Since then, railroads have played a vital role in connecting residents to opportunity, commerce, and each other.

The Museum’s historic 1860s CB&Q Depot offers visitors the chance to experience this story firsthand. Exhibits include a model of the 1869 Chicago & North Western Roundhouse, which once stood in West Chicago and served as a symbol of the city’s industrial strength and innovation.

Train-Themed Art on Display

Just steps away, train-inspired art is on view at Gallery 200’s renewed Main Street exhibition space located at 203 Turner Court. Operated by People Made Visible, the gallery showcases the work of local railroad photographer Philip Weibler, who will be attending July 19, and others celebrating the iconic presence of trains in everyday life.

Each Train Saturday gives visitors a chance to meet the artists, talk trains, and reflect on the artistic side of transportation history.