A new public art initiative called WeGo Full Steam Ahead is working to revitalize downtown West Chicago and raise money for local services. Starting on May 8, large, painted fiberglass train sculptures will be on display in downtown public areas.

Each train will feature a QR code that links to additional information about West Chicago’s history and the artists involved. Additionally, ten 3D-printed trains will be placed inside downtown businesses to encourage residents to visit. An unveiling event will take place May 16 at Blooming Fest.

Sponsorship for a full-size train begins at $6,000 and includes a two-year display period. After two years, the trains will be auctioned off. Boyd described sponsorship opportunities as having flexible options depending on the level of involvement. For a lower level of sponsorship, a 3D-printed train is also an option. A trolley and a diesel engine will eventually be added to the 3D-printed options.

“It got my wheels turning, you know, this is a railroad town. People are excited about historic trains,” Acie Boyd said. Boyd is a member of the West Chicago Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises scholarship funds for families to participate in Park District programs such as swim lessons, daycare, and fitness programs.

In 2019, the Big Boy locomotive made a stop in West Chicago, attracting an estimated crowd of around 45,000 people. In 1849, Junction (now West Chicago) was established as the first community in Illinois created by proximity to train tracks. West Chicago has changed drastically over the last 177 years, but its proximity to the rail network has not.

Boyd had the idea to use West Chicago’s ties to the railroad to raise money for the parks foundation, People Made Visible, and WeGo Together for Kids, while also attracting more tourism to the city. After seeing other neighboring cities and towns create structures, hire artists to decorate them, and place them around their cities, he decided to form a committee to do the same for West Chicago. From that idea, WeGo Full Steam Ahead was created.

Along with the sponsorships, West Chicago Community High School will have one train.

“We feel it is important to contribute to the larger community, support the arts, and also have another avenue to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary next year,” Lisa Willuweit said. Willuweit is the Humanities Division Head at West Chicago Community High School.

Several students at WEGO will also be helping decorate the school’s train. Additionally, an opportunity to design a paw print will be open to any student enrolled at WEGO.

“Any WEGO student can submit a design for a paw print and be a part of painting the train. They do not have to be currently enrolled in an art class,” Megan Dulkinys, art teacher at WCCHS, said.

Correction

March 18, 2026

An earlier version of this article suggested that West Chicago Community High School was associated with multiple trains. The school will be associated with one train as part of the Full Steam Ahead initiative. This article has been updated to clarify this information.