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Date: 2003-03 FOX RIVER LINE OPENS MOTHER'S DAY WITH A SPECIAL TREAT FOR MOM! The Fox River Trolley Museum begins its 37th season Mother's Day with a special treat for moms of all ages! On Sunday, May 11, the Fox River Line’s historic trolleys will provide free rides to mothers, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers with a paid child’s fare. Fares for dad and other adults will be $3.50 for adults and $2 both for senior citizens and for children 3-11. Children under age 3 ride free. It has been nearly 107 years since the Carpentersville, Elgin and Aurora began operation on June 30, 1896 and 100 years this spring since direct electric rail service linked Chicago with Elgin, South Elgin and Wayne. The Fox River Trolley Museum, which owns the oldest surviving car that operated the first day of service on the Aurora Elgin & Chicago (AE&C) R.R.'s Elgin branch, attempts to recreate the atmosphere of an old-time trolley ride on its four-mile round trip, much of which is over original trackage in continuous operation since 1896. The museum's demonstration rail line links the Castlemuir station in South Elgin with the Blackhawk Forest Preserve in St. Charles Township, on the site of the historic Coleman Grove picnic ground. In the early 20th century, Coleman Grove featured a dance platform, horseshoe pits, softball diamonds and even a pier on the Fox River, at which fun seekers could rent canoes. Many visitors would arrive at Coleman Grove with pails and shovels, to dig in the waters of the Fox River for fresh-water clams. Mother's Day is just the first of a series of special events scheduled this year at the museum. Others include: Memorial Day, May 26. The AE&C began operations to Elgin and South Elgin on Memorial Day, 1903. To mark the AE&C Elgin branch centennial, residents of South Elgin and Elgin, who present valid identification, will ride free. Join the museum for a celebration that won’t be repeated! Spring Caboose Day, June 1. The flowers will be blooming and the trees filling out as the museum’s popular Illinois Central R.R. caboose makes its first appearance of the season. Father’s Day, June 15. It’s dad, grandpa and even great-grandpa’s turn to ride free, this day only, with a paid child’s fare. Red, White and Blue Dollar Day, July 4. All riders pay just $1 as the museum marks America’s birthday, and the 37th anniversary of the museum’s first public operation. “It’s a real bargain for a special family event,” said Ed Konecki, museum president. Trolleyfest, Aug. 16-17, and South Elgin’s Riverfest Express, Aug. 14-17. Two great celebrations, and one great time! Riverfest provides food, music and fun as the museum expands its hours, operating Aug. 16 and 17 only from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Fall Caboose Train Rides, Oct. 5 and 12. As the colors begin to change along the scenic Fox River and in Blackhawk Forest Preserve, there’s no better place to watch than the cupola of the museum’s IC caboose! The Pumpkin Trolley, Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26. Don’t get your pumpkin till you take a ride to the Pumpkin Patch aboard a Fox River Line trolley. Pumpkin tickets are extra. The Fox River Trolley Museum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating the memories of Chicago’s once-burgeoning electric railroad industry. Cars in operation or on display represent all three of the major Chicago interurban (inter-city) electric railways as well as Chicago’s “L” and streetcar lines. All museum workers are volunteers dedicated to recreating a bygone era in mass transportation. The museum, at 361 S. LaFox St., on Route 31 in the village of South Elgin, is open 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays from Mother's Day till Nov. 2, and Saturdays from June 28-Aug. 30, as well as the last two Saturdays in October. Fares remain a bargain, Konecki said, at $3.50 for adults, $2 both for senior citizens and for children ages 3-11. Children under 3 ride free. For additional information, or to rent a train, call (847) 697-4676. 
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