Steam-powered railroad excursion to depart from Joliet

The Joliet Rocket, a steam-powered railroad excursion, will complete four trips Sept. 15 and 16 between downtown Joliet and the LaSalle Street Station in downtown Chicago.

The trips, in partnership with Metra, will recreate the Golden Era of railroad travel, according to a news release. There will be vintage passenger cars from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, and first class and dome cars from that period.

There also will be a special reception at the LaSalle Street Station with North Island Catering preparing food, Violet Hour craft cocktails, World War II re-enactors, photo opportunities and live music.

New Lenox, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Midlothian and Blue Island are among locations the train will pass through.

The route will retrace the Rock Island Railroad’s “Rocket trains” premiere from the 1930s, the release said.

Steam locomotive No. 765, one of a handful throughout the country, will operate the trains.

The Joliet Rocket trips in 2017 drew more than 2,500 people, and passengers came from more than 30 states, the release said.

Tickets can be bought at fortwaynerailroad.org or by calling 888-718-4253. There are special group rates and corporate discounts available. Tickets begin at $139.