IRM Strahorn Library

IRM Strahorn Library Open to the public on Wednesday's 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Please check back prior to your visit for any weather-related announcements or holiday closures.

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway #1223 2-8-2 at Proctor, MN 9/17/1951Richard L. Weiss Collection.The Strahorn L...
05/14/2026

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway #1223 2-8-2 at Proctor, MN 9/17/1951

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

NORFOLK & WESTERN'S LOCOMOTIVE NUMBER 611Precision Transportation has returned to Roanoke, Virginia on Sunday, October 3...
05/13/2026

NORFOLK & WESTERN'S LOCOMOTIVE NUMBER 611

Precision Transportation has returned to Roanoke, Virginia on Sunday, October 3, 1982 as Norfolk & Western's Class 'J', 4-8-4, Number 611 Is ready to power a Norfolk & Western's Veterans Special to Walton, Virginia.

Photo Courtesy: Mary Jayne Rowe

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

NORTHERN PACIFIC'S LOCOMOTIVE NUMBER 5107, a 4-6-6-4, as viewed at Laurel, Montana in September of 1955.Photo Courtesy: ...
05/12/2026

NORTHERN PACIFIC'S LOCOMOTIVE NUMBER 5107, a 4-6-6-4, as viewed at Laurel, Montana in September of 1955.

Photo Courtesy: Drew Miller

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

#11 The 1955 Topps "Rails and Sails" Trading Card Collection features a comprehensive visual and textual history of rai...
05/11/2026

#11 The 1955 Topps "Rails and Sails" Trading Card Collection features a comprehensive visual and textual history of railroad transportation. Produced by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc., this series highlights significant locomotives, specialized freight and passenger cars, and streetcars from various eras and international locations. Each card includes a color illustration on the obverse and technical specifications, historical context, and railroad trivia on the reverse.

Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. (T.C.G.) Founded in 1938 in Brooklyn, New York, Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. became a dominant force in the American trading card industry. While best known for revolutionizing baseball cards in the early 1950s, the company simultaneously produced numerous educational and non-sports card series. The 1955 "Rails and Sails" set, bearing the T.C.G. copyright, is a prime example of their mid-century strategy to appeal to transportation enthusiasts and youth through engaging trivia, technical statistics, and vibrant illustrations.

Wally Weart Topps "Rails & Sails" Trading Card Collection at the Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

Duluth & Iron Range #3 2-6-0 at Two Harbors, MN 6-10-1950For more information on the "3-Spot" see https://www.hmdb.org/...
05/10/2026

Duluth & Iron Range #3 2-6-0 at Two Harbors, MN 6-10-1950

For more information on the "3-Spot" see https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=78787

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

One hundred years ago, the railroads conducted more than 300,000 passenger trips to the 28th International Eucharistic C...
05/09/2026

One hundred years ago, the railroads conducted more than 300,000 passenger trips to the 28th International Eucharistic Congress ceremonies held at Mundelein Seminary.

Transportation historian Norm Carlson will look back at this triumph of logistics and coordination, featuring research from his extraordinarily comprehensive history of this event contained in the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society "A Transportation Miracle XXVIII International Eucharistic Congress Chicago, June 20-24,1926 Dispatch Number 7"

Monday, May 18, 7 pm
Virtual - Zoom
REGISTER:
847-362-2330, https://cooklib.libnet.info/event/15206740, or at the library.

The Strahorn Library contributed photographs and assisted in the creation of Dispatch Number 7.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

Rock Island 4-8-4 #5064 at Kansas City, Kansas November 6, 1949Richard L. Weiss Collection.The Strahorn Library houses...
05/08/2026

Rock Island 4-8-4 #5064 at Kansas City, Kansas November 6, 1949

Richard L. Weiss Collection.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

Southern Pacific's Locomotive Number 4449 as viewed on display at Railfair '81. Number 4449 a Northern type locomotive (...
05/07/2026

Southern Pacific's Locomotive Number 4449 as viewed on display at Railfair '81. Number 4449 a Northern type locomotive (4-8-4) was built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 and was used to power the Famous Daylight Passenger Trains along the California Coast.

Photo Courtesy: Ronald N. Johnson

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD'S LOCOMOTIVES NUMBER 8444 & 3985Union Pacific's Number 8444, a Northern Type Locomotive (4-8-4) a...
05/06/2026

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD'S LOCOMOTIVES NUMBER 8444 & 3985
Union Pacific's Number 8444, a Northern Type Locomotive (4-8-4) and Number 3985, a Challenger Type Locomotive (4-6-6-4) are viewed Westbound over Emigrant Gap, California headed for a layover stop at Roseville enroute to Railfair '81 at Sacramento, California.

Photo Courtesy: Ronald N. Johnson

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

THE CITY OF LOS ANGELESThe Union Pacific - Chicago and North Western Diesel powered Streamliner "City of Los Angeles" co...
05/05/2026

THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
The Union Pacific - Chicago and North Western Diesel powered Streamliner "City of Los Angeles" covered the route between Chicago and Los Angeles in 39 hours and 45 minutes. These Streamliners provided the Public with the Ultimate in De Luxe rail transport. The "City of Los Angeles" is viewed here at Riview, near Green River, Wyoming.

Photo Courtesy: Mary Jayne Rowe

William Henry Jr Postcard Collection - Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library houses thousands of books, tens of thousands of periodicals and more than a hundred thousand photographs, all centering on the subject of trains and railroading and all held to support research and scholarship into the railroad history of the United States.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

#7 The 1955 Topps "Rails and Sails" Trading Card Collection features a comprehensive visual and textual history of rail...
05/04/2026

#7 The 1955 Topps "Rails and Sails" Trading Card Collection features a comprehensive visual and textual history of railroad transportation. Produced by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc., this series highlights significant locomotives, specialized freight and passenger cars, and streetcars from various eras and international locations. Each card includes a color illustration on the obverse and technical specifications, historical context, and railroad trivia on the reverse.

Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. (T.C.G.) Founded in 1938 in Brooklyn, New York, Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. became a dominant force in the American trading card industry. While best known for revolutionizing baseball cards in the early 1950s, the company simultaneously produced numerous educational and non-sports card series. The 1955 "Rails and Sails" set, bearing the T.C.G. copyright, is a prime example of their mid-century strategy to appeal to transportation enthusiasts and youth through engaging trivia, technical statistics, and vibrant illustrations.

Wally Weart Topps "Rails & Sails" Trading Card Collection at the Illinois Railway Museum Strahorn Library.

The Strahorn Library is at 118 E. Washington Street in Marengo, Illinois. It is normally open from 10AM to 2:30PM on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome. For those unable to visit, we can provide access to our collections via telephone (815-568-1060), e-mail ([email protected]), or online catalog (librarycat.org/lib/IRMStrahornLibrary).

All materials are available for non-commercial purposes, and according to the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Law which permits use of copyrighted material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

Address

118 E Washington Street
Marengo, IL
60152

Opening Hours

10am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+18155681060

Website

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