Model locomotives and train memorabilia will make a stop May 21 at the annual Homewood Rail Fest.
The festival, which celebrates Homewood’s long ties to the railroad industry, will be 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road.
The free festival also will include rides for children and adults on a trackless train and live folk music by MG Bailey.
At the rail fest, vendors will showcase antique trains, model trains and train memorabilia. The trackless train will travel throughout downtown Homewood.
“Rarely do you hear of a community celebrating (its) rail history,” said Alissa Opyd, Homewood’s community events manager. “Homewood remains very knowledgeable and proud of (its) rail history. Rail Fest is a way for Homewood to keep the rail history alive and the stories of how Homewood was built up around the rail system.”
A train station in Homewood was built before it became a village. The station was originally built in 1853 and then named the Thornton Station to serve Thornton village, Homewood officials said.
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Homewood is unique because it has both stops for the Metra and Amtrak. The village also is the U.S. headquarters for the Canadian National Railway, officials said
“We wouldn’t be here without the train lines and we continue to thrive and grow today in part because of the Metra Electric’s easy access to and from the city,” Village Mayor Rich Hofeld said. “Our Rail Fest taps into that love as well as the thrill and fun of train travel. It just ignites the imagination. We are very proud of our rail history.”
The village has a permanent display of its railroad history in its underground pedestrian tunnel at its station at 18015 Park Ave. The murals were painted by Homewood’s Girls Scouts, according to village officials.
For more information on Homewood Rail Fest, visit homesweethomewood.com or call (708) 798-3000.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.