Whats Happening at the ILS

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We would like to formally invite your members to the Illinois Live Steamers 57th Anniversary Meet being held August 16th – 18th, 2024. The Illinois Live Steamers was founded in 1967 in Homer Glen, Illinois as a place where live steamers could gather to share their interests in trains and enjoy outdoor miniature railroading.

The club has grown to over 150 members with three railroad gauges including: 6,000+ feet of 7.5” scale track, 5000+ feet of 4.75 track, and approximately 1300 feet of elevated 3.5” gauge track.

The club is planning lunch and dinner meal service for Friday and Saturday with lunch service on Sunday for a modest donation. Menu and pricing to be determined. There are also rich selections of local eats for those wishing to enjoy some of Chicagoland’s finest restaurants.

We hope you can join us for the meet and spend the weekend enjoying our railroad with your equipment and the comradery of fellow hobbyists. Below is more detailed lodging and dining options to consider for your visit.

All visiting steam engines will require written proof of a successful hydro test within the last year. ILS members will be on hand to perform this test for guests without documentation.

There is no fee to attend the meet, but please RSVP to meet co-chair Christopher Senese at your earliest convenience. ILS grounds are not open to the general public. Watch
for an official list of vendors attending the meet this summer.

Hotels

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lockport, an IHG Hotel

Address: 16223 W 159th St, Lockport, IL 60441

Phone: +1-815-306-1200

Located west off 159th Street and I-355.

Several close options for dining.

4.3 miles, 9-minutes from railroad.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orland Park - Mokena, an IHG Hotel

Address: 19220 Greenwich Dr, Mokena, IL 60448

Phone: 1-708-390-6200

12.5 miles, 20-minutes from the railroad.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Tinley Park, IL

Address: 18315 South La Grange Road, Tinley Park, IL 60487

Phone: +1-708-560-9300

11.8 miles, 23-minutes from railroad

Super 8 by Wyndham Mokena/Frankfort /I-80

Address: 9485 W 191st St, Mokena, IL 60448

Phone: +1-708-390-9009

12.7 miles, 25-minutes from the railroad.

Both hotels are located on south US-45/Lagrange Road just off I-80.

There are several close options for dining.

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Tinley Park

  • Address: 18335 South La Grange Road, Tinley Park, IL 60487

  • Phone: +1-708-429-2266

  • 11.8 miles, 23-minutes from railroad.

  • Both hotels are located on north US-45/Lagrange Road just off I-80.

Camping options for those with large RVs:

  • Martin’s Camping Ground – Joliet

    • Website: Martinscampinggroundil.com

    • Phone: +1-815-726-3173

    • Address: 725 Cherry Hill Rd, Joliet, IL 60433

Details

I am working to get our memorials section up to date with information about our founders and members who are no longer with us.   If you have or would like to write a memorial please submit them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Include any photos you would like to add as well and I will publish them in the In Memorial section of the site.  Thanks!!