Pullman on Chicago’s South Side will host a weekend celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Metra Electric line, a key milestone in the city’s transportation history. The event, titled Railroad Days, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pullman National Historical Park.
The festivities will feature historic railcars, including a restored 1926 Pullman electric car and a vintage model from the 1970s. Attendees can also explore model train displays, participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities, and enjoy food trucks, live music, and educational presentations. Tickets are priced at $20 if purchased before Saturday and $25 during the event days.
The anniversary commemorates the Illinois Central Railroad’s 1926 electrification of the line, a development that significantly reshaped Chicago’s urban landscape. Peggy Parfenoff, executive director of Friends of Pullman, highlighted that the shift from steam to electric trains not only transformed transportation but also contributed to raising the tracks and cleaning up the lakefront. These changes, she said, have allowed the city to develop public spaces such as beaches and museums along the waterfront.
Parfenoff emphasized the broader historical significance of Pullman as a site that extends beyond its function as a railroad factory. “Pullman was not just a factory,” she said, noting that the neighborhood contains landmark structures and embodies a history that intersects with many Chicago residents’ experiences. She expressed hope that visitors would gain a deeper understanding of how the electrification of the rail line helped unify and advance the city.
Jim Derwinski, Metra’s Executive Director and CEO, framed the 1926 electrification as an early example of sustainable commuter rail service in the United States. “We were green before green was invented,” Derwinski said, pointing to the ongoing environmental benefits of electric commuter trains, which continue to reduce emissions in the Chicago area.
The announcement event Thursday at Millennium Station attracted local train enthusiasts who had the opportunity to board some of the historic railcars. Attendees expressed personal connections to the trains and enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration.
Ben Franz, who grew up commuting on the Metra between Blue Island and Downtown Chicago, described the 1970s railcars as both nostalgic and surprisingly modern. He said he planned to visit the event at Pullman to photograph the trains and enjoy the exhibits.
Longtime rail fan Rick Martin, with more than six decades of interest in trains, recalled a formative childhood experience on a train trip to northern Minnesota. He expressed hope that younger generations continue to appreciate rail transportation for its efficiency and sustainability. “It’s the most efficient, least-polluting way to move people around,” Martin said, noting his optimism about the growing interest among younger visitors at the event.
Railroad Days aims to celebrate not only the history of the Metra Electric line but also its ongoing role in shaping Chicago’s transportation network and urban development.