Inside the 2026

Chicago Railroad Show

The Chicago Railroad Show (CRS) returned to Industry-Railway Suppliers this spring for its fourth year, bringing together railroad professionals from across the country and IRS manufacturing partners for two days of hands-on learning, product demonstrations, warehouse tours, and maintenance-of-way discussion.

At its core, CRS connects the manufacturers we trust with people who use or influence the tools used on track across the maintenance-of-way industry. Those conversations can lead to improvements in tool standards and safety, and help build relationships that extend beyond a phone call or email.

The week concluded in true Chicago style with a Cubs Rooftop celebration at Wrigley Field, bringing customers, OEM partners, and the IRS team together one final time.

Below is a look inside CRS 2026 through photos and video from the event.

More than an exhibit
hall

A core part of the Chicago Railroad Show is the opportunity for customers to engage directly with original equipment manufacturers, our partners who bring real maintenance-of-way tools and equipment and demonstrate them on site.

These are not static displays. They are working demonstrations led by the people who engineered the tools or work closely with those who did, where end users can try equipment in real time, including on a railroad track panel, and provide direct feedback that can influence future improvements.

The OEM exhibitors of CRS 2026

Ajax Tools

Aldon

Assa Abloy Lock
Atlantic Track and Turnout
Chicago Jack
Enerpac
J. Lanfranco Fasteners
Milwaukee Tool
Norton Abrasives
Pandrol
Postalloy Hardface Technologies
Swingmaster
Tamco Tools and Steel
Willamette Valley Company

Behind the warehouse doors

As part of the show, attendees could tour Industry-Railway Suppliers’ 90,000 square foot warehouse, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the scale and flow of daily operations.

Customers walked through an active warehouse, saw the full breadth of products we distribute across the entire railroad industry, and gained a clearer understanding of how orders move from our shelves to job sites.

A Chicago-style experience

Beyond the tools, demonstrations and warehouse tours, CRS also gave attendees a chance to experience a few Chicago staples along the way.

From a taste of Chicago served during the event to a Cubs Rooftop Party at Wrigley Field, the city itself became part of the week, giving customers, OEMs, and the IRS team a chance to connect and enjoy time together outside of the show.