Hours:
- Monday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Details
Anywhere from 80 to 120 trains pass through Rochelle in a 24 hour period. This has made Rochelle a “hot spot” for train watching, drawing visitors from every state in the nation and worldwide. Because of the number of visitors, Rochelle acquired the land east of the diamond in 1995 and constructed a park just for train watching. The park, which was dedicated August 30, 1998, includes a handicapped accessible observation pavilion with various vantage sites for the best visitor viewing and photography.
The park also includes a gift shop, a 7 ton Whitcomb engine and 50 ton Whitcomb engine which were built in Rochelle, handicapped-accessible restrooms, and a replica of the original 1854 Steel Strap Rail. Visitors can see locomotives from many different railroad companies pass through Rochelle on the Union Pacific and the BNSF lines.
Visit the gift shop site here: https://rochellerailroadpark.square.site/
The Rail Park is open 24/7 for viewing – go to the FB page for current gift shop hours.