Horror on the tracks
The Illinois Railway Museum in Union is offering thrill seekers a new Halloween adventure: "Terror on the Railroad."
Visitors will board an antique streetcar, step over to walk in the Train of Chills and then take their chances on arriving at their destination aboard the Screamliner.
The terror trip will run from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and Oct. 19-20, 26-27 and on Halloween itself.
"The antique trains are unchanged, and I think they're really haunted," said Jennifer Kolanowski, retail manager at the museum and event coordinator.
She came up with the idea of a Terror Train. She visited horror conventions and haunted houses for ideas to ensure the event that will scare even the most jaded Halloween aficionado.
"Volunteers have been busy the last couple of weeks placing body parts, corpses and other stuff in and out of the trains" Kolanowski said.
The Train of Chills doesn't move. "The train sits in silence and is home to abandoned souls," she said.
"The two trains are like two haunted houses in one."
The scare-fest is not recommended for children under age 13 -- or anyone with medical conditions which could be compromised by intense fear, loud noises and strobe-light areas.
Admission is $10 per person. Tickets are available only at the gate on each day of the event and go on sale at 6:30 p.m. The gate will open at 7 p.m. The staff recommends buying tickets earlier in the night to avoid waiting in line.
Ticket sales end at 11:30 p.m. and the gate closes at midnight. Anyone in line will get in; the train will run until the last person is through.
Parking is free. Because the railroad equipment is antique, it is not handicapped-accessible.
The museum is looking for the Terror Train to help the bottom line, because the Illinois Railway Museum's "Day Out with Thomas" had to be rescheduled to the next weekend due to the Aug. 19 rains.
Lost revenue and expenses involved have cut into the museum's operating budget.
If you go
What: Terror on the Railroad
When: 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and Oct. 19-20, 26-27 and 31
Where: Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union
Admission: $10 per person. Available only at the gate beginning at 6:30 p.m. Gate opens at 7 p.m.
Info: (815) 923-4000. Not recommended for children under age 13 or anyone with medical conditions which could be compromised by intense fear, loud noises and strobe light areas. The museum will be closed during the event. Visit the Web site, terrorontherailroad.com, for more details.