Must See Chicago?

I always enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry. They have an oustanding model railroad, depecting the area from Chicago to the coast.  Best of all they have THE Burlington Zephyr, restored several years ago.

No shops I know of downtown, but I am from NY.

Fred

I was just in Chicago and I met Chugman, excellent host and saw 5 amazing layouts.

 

I got the CitiPass and went to the

 

Museum of Science and Industry

SkyDeck in Willis Tower

Feild Museum

Shedd Aquarium

 

The citipass puts you at the front of the line for all the loactions and gives you an all access pass to see everythign there. It is soooooo worht it id go see all 4 while im there

This one;

 

<cite class="_Rm">www.chicagolandtoysandhobbies.com</cite>

 

and this one;

 

<cite class="_Rm">www.berwynstoytrains.com</cite>

 

 

 

Both are top notch stores with lots of inventory.

The best Lionel shop in the area is Americas Best Trains in Itasca.. The best for MTH is Berwyn Toy Trains in Berwyn. There are other nice shops in the area but these are the major players IMO>>>

A lot depends on where you are staying and if you are mobile....

If you have a day to play, consider a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. There's no end to fascinating exhibits of all interests.

 

 

A few examples of things to see:

 

U-505..

 

 

Transportation exhibit...

 

 

 

Including "The Great Train Story"...

 

 

 

Then there's this...

 

 

And tons more.

 

 

 

 

Mustang how long has it been since you were at Chicagoland? They are an excellent hobby shop but they have really scaled back their O gauge inventory as of late. Seems they are leaning more towards RC these days.

Where are you going to be? Downtown or suburbs?

 

If you can make it to the museum, and have never been there, I'd check it out.

 

I concur with mustang...these are the best two choices as far as hobby shops go. IMHO, Chicagoland has maybe a bit larger LIONEL selection.

 

EDIT: I forgot about America's Best. I've never been there, but from the guys who have been, seem to be satified customers. 

 

 

Oh man if your going to Chicago reserve a whole day to go see the Illinois Railroad Museum. A MUST SEE!

 

25 steam engines to see, lots of  early diesels, traction, passenger cars....

inside and out, very cool place. One you have to put on the bucket list...

 

 http://www.irm.org/schedule/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum of Science and Industry gets my vote.  The layout there was fabulous last time I saw it and I heard it was recently redone.

.....

Dennis

IRM is closed this time of year...

 

Rusty

I would agree that the Museum of Science & Industry is a must see.  The two hobby shops are Berwyn Hobby for everything and America's Best for Lionel.

 

If you want to watch real trains a trip to Rochelle, IL is really good.  They have a railroad park there where the double track mainline of the UP crosses double tracks of the BNSF that goes from Chicago to Minneapolis.  100 plus trains a day and nice place to watch them.

 

Art

Thanks rusty, I will save the hurrah until April 15th...

April 12 is the GATS show out in Wheaton.

When are you going?

The hobby shops are nothing special. They are just hobby shops.  Chicagoland Hobby is more of a toy store now.  Not so much O gauge trains anymore.  Be better off having a pint on a high stool at Vaughan's down the street.  The S&I museum is pretty awesome.  The layout is HO scale now.  Not sure if I liked the change.  The Burlington Zephyr is cool.  There is other train stuff there.  A famous steam engine - set a speed record?   Don't forget the coal mine and the U505 submarine.

I have not seen the HO layout, but have fond memories of the O scale layout. It had a certain presence that seems to be lacking in the current layout. Nonetheless, the new layout is very impressive.

 

 

From MSI:

 

One of the smallest complete railroad systems, the Museum of Science and Industry's original model railroad was the largest of its kind in the world when it opened in 1941. Designed by Minton Cronkhite, the railroad covered 2,340 square feet of floor space and was built in Q scale, which paired 1:45 scale trains with 2-rail O gauge track. The various scenes on the model railroad illustrated the role of the railroad within U.S. industry and agriculture throughout the desert southwest. It included 1,000 feet of track and 40 switches operated by an automatic control board.

When it closed in May of 2002, our model railroad had been in service for over six decades, serving as one of the most well-known and beloved exhibits in the Museum. It had seen several enhancements over the years as new technologies helped railroads to operate more safely and efficiently. It was also one of the first railroads in the country to run "diesel" engines as they replaced steam engines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are those who are saying Chicagoland Toys and Hobbies is mostly a toy or RC shop been there lately? 

Yes, the toys are seasonal, and Christmas is over. Yes, there is a lot of RC, but they took over the adjacent store, and moved the RC and tools in there.

All that former room has been filled with trains.

Well worth the trip.

 

Haven't been to Chicago in quite a number of years, but I'll definitely ditto on recommending the Museum of Science and Industry.

The museum looks like a must see.

-Greg

The Museum of Science and Industry created a new display area for their WW-2 German submarine, U-505, several years ago. It's really worth seeing.

 

The Chicago Museum of Art is excellent, as is the Museum of Contemporary Art.

 

 

All great suggestions.

 

I would add Chicago Union Station. Lots of Metra commuter trains, Amtrak galore, great rail road history. Make sure to get to the Waiting Room where they have filmed movies such as "The Untouchables".

 

Don't forget to take an "EL" ride around the Loop!!!

 

If you will be in the downtown business district in the next two weeks send me an email. My office is right in the middle of everything and I can get you acclimated quickly.

I confess to not being to Chicagoland Hobby for four years or so.  Sounds like they have changed since then   Still, I wouldn't make a hobby shop a destination to see.

As much as I like trains and the IRM, if I knew I was going to die tomorrow night and had to go to one and only one museum, by far it would be the Art Institute of Chicago.

 

Nighthawks, American Gothic, Mary Cassatt painting of mother and daughter, some Monet, go thru the antiquities art or whatever you call it, and then I would park myself in front of the Marc Chagall stain glass windows and wait to die. My only wish would be that they move it back to where it used to be.

 

 

 

Des Plaines Hobbies is an excellent store offering a wide variety of model railroading items...equipment, scenery materials, books, etc.

 

http://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/

 

Bob  

All good suggestions. The only issue is the time you have and the ability to see some of the suggestions which are out side of the city.

    Yes there is a three rail club; Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club. It is in New Lenox which is about an hour south. Here is the link to see if our open dates match yours. There is a phone or email for contact, visitors are always welcome.

 

http://www.clrctrains.com/

 

Ray Marion

 

 

Agreed, and no visit would be complete for me without seeing the Thorne Rooms...

 

 

...68-of them recreated in 1/12th scale. Been fascinated with them all my life.

 

 

 

I remember when we brought our three younguns to the art museum and in the contemporary art section one display was a string stretched across the floor.  There was an understanding, but still stern guard who stopped my kids from doing the limbo under it.  I have wanted to go back since.  It wasn't the best

We haven't even touched all the places he should go eat!

Hey Rusty, are you the guy who sells parts at the Wheaton Show?

You got that right! Have to hit the Boardwalk, Lincoln Park, do a Boat tour, Double Decker bus tour, and go to the top of Trump Tower...

 The Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Art Museum...all amazing! And if you like ribs...then for dinner, its Carson's Place for Ribs...Fantastic!!!

 

 I took this panorama during our trip over Thanksgiving...Amtrak from Battle Creek to Chicago and back...and the upgrade in seating was really worth the added expense...

Des Plaines Hobby and if you get the chance go to the top of what used to be the SEARS Tower. from the observation level you get a great view of all the rail line that head in to CHI-Town. For a good meal try Bob Chins out in Wheeling

'Steve

Guys, thank you all very much for the great suggestions and recommendations. 

 

It's unanimous, definitely going to visit the Museum of Science & Industry on Saturday.  

 

Made it to Chicagoland Toys tonite before going to a wonderful Costa Rican restaurant in Buckstown for dinner. 

 

Enjoyed Chicagoland Toys.  I always enjoy spending time looking at trains and they had plenty to look at.  A very nice and long cabinet full of steam and diesel engines, mostly MTH and some TMCC & Legacy.  Lots of rolling stock, buildings, etc.  

 

very nice guys working the shop and some friendly customers who were up for talking trains.  Very welcoming store and I would recommend visiting it.  Bought a few die-cast cars for the layout.  

 

Hopefully will make it to the Pullman Museum and some of the other great stops you guys have kindly mentioned. 

 

all your responses and pictures are very much appreciated. 

 

 

A ride on the CTA"EL"system is my recommendation.I have lived in the Chicago area for 48 years.I found out how much fun and convenient it is to ride the"EL"a few years ago.A great way to see the city and avoid traffic.

Dan 

While traveling in the area, take a peak at some of the areas Frank Lloyd Wright buildings big & small. Even as a drive by detour. If you have time for an indoor home tour...well, When was the last time your architect designed everything?

Your dishes & silverware too?

 (And would likely refuse your build without them)

While you mentioned already visiting, I'd like to throw up another vote for others to visit, and support Chicagoland Toys & hobby.  Out of three hobby shops I walked into on a visit in december with, $2,000 in my pocket to drop on trains, they were the only one that didn't treat me like a leper when I browsed about and started asking about some of the less expensive things laying about.  Very helpful staff, and I fully support this shop.

 

"A building has integrity just like a man.  And just as seldom."  -AR

 

 

Sidebar Story • Yes • Dearborn to Chicago is my favorite Amtrak Trip. Enjoy your time in Chicago. A must see = Museum of Science & Industry.

Downtown Chicago Model Train Layout In O Scale

http://chicagolandtoysandhobbies.com/

Any place Frank Lloyd Wright designed or built.