IRM Diesel Days 2026 Day 1: 8/7/26

It's that time of year again folks! Today we made our way back to the Illinois Railway Museum for the first day of their most popular event that you all know too well, Diesel Days! This year's Diesel Days was a bit different from previous ones as it marked a lot of firsts and a lot of returnees, this being the first Diesel Days seeing new arrivals, Amtrak 231, WCCH 1802, and BNSF 9400 operate under their own power. As well as a new spot being opened up at new location called "Jewell" for railfans to get photos and videos of the trains racing by. This year also marked the return of lite engine moves to demonstrate dynamic braking, the return of the fan favorite photo freight, and just in time for Diesel Days weekend, Ingersoll-Rand 91's return following a lengthy cosmetic restoration and hopefully a full mechanical restoration is soon to follow! And this is only day one, we still got two days to go! Enjoy! Trains Operating: Will County Coal Handling 1802 (Throttle Time) CNW 1518 with the Coach Train SP 1518 with the Demonstration Freight Train CWEX 15 with the Caboose Train MILW 118C, METX 308, and SP 1518 (Lite Power) CNW 411 with the Bi-Levels ITC 1605 with the Coach Train CNW 1518 with the Demonstration Freight Train Atlantic & Western 31 (Throttle Time) MILW 118C and METX 308 with the Coach Train ITC 1605 and CNW 1518 with the Demonstration Freight Train CB&Q 9255 with the Caboose Train Southern Pacific 1518 (Lite Power) METX 308 with the Coach Train Amtrak 231 (Throttle Time) Milwaukee Road 760 (Throttle Time) MTRY 200 with the Caboose Train ITC 1605, CNW 1518, and SP 1518 (Lite Power) MILW 118C with the Coach Train CB&Q 504 with the Demonstration Freight Train BNSF 9400, BNSF 6976, CNW 6847, WC 7525, CNW 7009, and ATSF 92 (Lite Power) Taken on 8-7-26