Prairie Zephyr Train
Open March 29 through October 5, 2025
Take a ride on the famous Prairie Zephyr throughout the beautiful Wildlife Prairie Park. This relaxing and informative excursion takes you on two different loops through the quiet forests. Your ticket includes both loops and can be used to ride the entire trip, or you may take advantage of stops along the way at the Pioneer and Gollywhopper Pavilions. Your ticket allows you to re-board at your convenience and can be purchased at the Ticket Gate or online.
Ticket Pricing
All Day Ticket - $7
Includes unlimited rides and re-boarding all day long. Ages 2 & under are FREE!
Weather Notice
The train will run everyday during the season, weather permitting. It will not run on days with persistent heavy precipitation or if the temperatures are below 50 degree Fahrenheit. Special weather procedures are put in place to operate the train during the much colder weather for special events outside the train season.
WPP Train and Railroad Facts
Wildlife Prairie Park has a long history with bringing the joy and fun of trains to Central Illinois. This is only a fraction on the history of the WPP Railroad.
1980 - The first train arrived at the Park called the Prairie Puffer. The Prairie Puffer was built in Centralia, Illinois in 1958 and created as a quarter scale version of the 1870’s steam locomotive, the 440 American. Train rides were $1.25 for a round trip train ride. It was retired a few years later for multiple reasons including burning coal, emitting ashes (fire hazard), and the time to prepare the train everyday as well as the difficulty for children to board the train.Â
1983 - The current black locomotive was repaired, refurbished and started running at the Park. It is a scale replica of a C.P. Huntington Steam Locomotive built by Chance Rides Mfg, Inc. out of Witchita, Kansas. It was delivered to the St. Louis Zoo on March 15, 1973 and was the 108th train built by the company. The Park bought the train in 1983, but before it could run, alterations were made to the tracks. 18,000 additional rail spikes were used to widen the 15-inch gauge to 24 inch totaling 2.2 miles long.
1984 - Train Garage now referred to as the Tin Shed or Train Tunnel was completed
1985 - Santa Fe Train Cabooses became available to stay in overnight at the Park
1994 - WPP Railroad Maintenance Facilities aka Train Pit was completed
1998-1999 - New Caterpillar (Perkins) diesel engine was purchased for the black locomotive.
Late 1990's - The red locomotive or modern style locomotive was built and donated by Bob Linder and Morton Metalcraft.
2011 - Trains were renamed Prairie Zephyr
2012 - Train Museum mural was completed
2019 & 2020 - Automatic road crossing signals and gates added to the railroad
2021 - Renaming of the locomotives. The black locomotive is name Hazel Rutherford 1978. The red locomotive is William Rutherford 1914.
2023 - 2025 - Automatic Block Signals (ABS) system added to the railroad
Train Ticket Package - WPP Members ONLY
20 Train Tickets for $100
WPP Members do you love riding the Prairie Zephyr Train? Do you bring your family and friends to the Park to experience the train with you? Here is your chance to purchase the 20 Train Ticket Package, saving $40!
Purchase the Train Ticket Package online or when visiting the Park. Once purchased, the train tickets will be added to your WPP membership account.
Please redeem these tickets from your account at the Ticket Gate upon entering the Park to receive your official souvenir ticket. All passengers ages 3 and up must have a paper ticket to ride the train.
Please Note
Train tickets purchased throughout the year can be used on any day the train is scheduled to run (March 29, 2025 - October 5th, 2025) with exception to special events such as Wildlife Scary Park and Santa's Wildlife Express. Train schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather.
2025 Spring Train Schedule
Weekday Schedule
Weekend Schedule
We Need Your Help!
Interested in becoming a train volunteer? We need train engineer volunteers to help on weekdays, weekends and even substitutes and train maintenance volunteers to help on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact us at volunteer@wildlifeprairie.org if you would like to learn more and even shadow a train engineer.
