Trains and tractors Monticello Way

Have you ever been to a train and tractor show? Me either! Until this past weekend when the Monticello Railway Museum had this first time event.

The tractor group

I had heard about the event from friends Carl Davis and Rick Shaw. Rick put together an in depth blog with more museum details on his Antique Iron Media blog.

I appreciate it when friends share about events. Keith and I rolled out of bed early and met up with Rick, Carl and Marvin Stinebaker for breakfast and headed to this fun show. We brought our David Bradley tri-trac that I had fun driving around a few days before Keith loaded it up.

Unloading

Friends all worked together unloading tractors and soon we had a nice line up. Many brands were represented from some nice Farmalls including some Farmall White demonstrators to several lawn and garden beauties. Jacob Tammer from Tolono, Illinois was at the show with his wife and three boys. They brought a 1958 John Deere 420 U that has become a family tractor enjoyed by all.

I counted John Deere, Oliver, Allis Chalmers, Minneapolis Moline, White, David Bradley, and a rare Shaw Duall.

After loading some deep conversations took place while we waited for the first chance to board the train!

The Museum

The Monticello Railway Museum, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization collects and preserves the history of trains and railroading. With over 70 historic trains, including both steam and diesel, they offer displays and rides from May to October, adding to a few special events like the dinner rides, and the popular Polar Express. August 9, 2025, this special event combined the love of trains and tractors for their first ever Train and Tractor show.

The Special Events Coordinator, Dylan Cantrall, said this was their first go at this type of event. “We are offering our regular weekend train ride and combining farm heritage with railroad heritage. Train and tractors go well together, and it is something unique we can offer and have a nice, shaded park.”

Dylan who has been volunteering with the museum since he was a freshman in high school was pleased with the 65 tractor turn out. Those that brought tractors got a wrist band to ride the train. Something a long time on my bucket list.

The train ride is about one hour and is offered on Saturday and Sundays. There were several sponsors for this event that we hope will become an annual one. Those sponsors included John Deere AHW, the City of Monticello, and Seevers Farm Drainage Inc. along with AMS (Advanced Machinery Services) Crane

Train ride!

We rode the train and I had a chance to interview the Conductor John Crawford who like many of the volunteers is a retired railroad employee. Doing an article for my column Wrenching Tales in Farm World, I asked John about his experience. “I have been a volunteer since 2007, just shy of 18 years,” John joked, I used to work for the railroad, and for the last nine years I was a conductor.  I retired so I could pay museum dues and work for free.”

Our ride went from the museum home at the Nelson Crossing Depot, the main tractor museum site to the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello. The depot at Nelson Crossing originally came from DeLand, Illinois.  “It was moved here during the early 1980’s,” Dylan added. “It was the first building here.”

The station in Monticello Dylan said dates back to 1898! We stopped for 15 minutes to check out this historic stop in downtown Monticello. This is a great town, and is also famous for the Allerton Gardens and mansion!

It wasn’t long before we took a scenic ride back to Nelson Center. All aboard!

A ride in the engine!

Dylan arranged a ride in the engine the highlight of my day! Carl rode in the first train ride. Keith and I joined fellow antique tractor friend and graphic artist that keeps the Half Century of Progress website and book in good shape, Abby Coers! We got to do this on the last ride of the day. We learned that you can also book a chance to drive the train. What a cool gift idea!

Engineer Ed Dowdy shared with us the train was a GP 11 built by General Motors. Like John Crawford, he too is a retired railway employee. “I was a locomotive engineer for CSX Transportation and ran out of Danville, Illinois to Chicago and Evansville, Indiana.”

The engine is quite complicated.

What a view from the front of the train.

At the end of our ride, Abby took a picture of Keith and I before we descended from the engine.

Details

The train ride is about one hour and is offered on Saturday and Sundays. I heard they are planning this event next year and Dylan said that they may bring out the steam train for that event. Thanks to Nick Menke for sharing this event with everyone and working with the museum to make this happen.

Where have you been lately that you had a memorable time? All it takes is deciding that museum, that event, that restaurant that has been on your list is worth venturing out for. Tell me all about your adventures and what has motivated you to head out!

I want to come back and ride the rails for a dinner, or special event, what fun to chug along.