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Date: 2004-04 FOX RIVER TROLLEY MUSEUM TO OFFER A DOZEN 2004 SPECIAL EVENTS The Fox River Trolley Museum, in South Elgin, is preparing for a 2004 season that will offer a special event for every member of the family, including several that are new! On Sunday, May 9, the Fox River Line’s historic trolleys begin their seasons with something special for Mom. The museum 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 108 years since the Fox River Line began operation on June 30, 1896. The Fox River Line, 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, athletic fields 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: Spring Caboose Day, June 6. 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. Bring a basket filled with goodies for a picnic in the forest preserve. Father’s Day, June 20. 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 Days, July 4-5. All riders pay just $1 as the museum marks America’s birthday, and the 38th anniversary of the museum’s first public operation. “It’s a real bargain for the entire family,” said Ed Konecki, museum president. Trolleyfest, Aug. 21-22, and South Elgin’s Riverfest Express, Aug. 19-22. Two great celebrations, and one great time! Riverfest provides food, music, carnival rides, fun and fireworks as the museum expands its hours, operating Aug. 21 and 22 only from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. South Elgin-Elgin Day, Sept. 19. Meet your neighbors for a day of family fun. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy an old-time trolley ride. Residents of Elgin and South Elgin ride for $1 per person per trip (ID required). Fall Caboose Train Rides, Oct. 3 and 10. 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 Illinois Central R.R. caboose! On Oct. 9 and 16, the Museum and the South Elgin Dep't. of Parks and Recreation will provide hayrides , food and fun at County Park next to the Museum as part of its Fall Festival. Both days children 3-11 presenting pumpkins purchased at the Village of South Elgin's County Park Pumpkin Patch will ride free. Adults of children who have purchased a pumpkin from the South Elgin patch will ride for $2.00 and other children 3 - 11 will ride for $1.00. For the first time, a special free movie train will deliver riders Oct. 9 ONLY from the Museum's Castlemuir Station to the Blackhawk Forest Preserve at 7pm and return after the movie. The Pumpkin Trolley, Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Get your pumpkin by riding a Fox River Line trolley to the Pumpkin Patch at Coleman Yard. Pumpkin tickets are $1 extra. The Haunted Trolley and the Halloween Ghost Train, both Oct. 30-31. An old favorite returns, and an all-new event debuts! The Haunted Trolley thrills children young and old during the day; no reservations are necessary and regular fares apply. Both evenings, the reserved-seating, after-hours Ghost Trains entertain children, their daddies and mummies! Those who dare can experience a campfire along the shores of the Fox with ghoulishly delightful ghost stories. Ghost Train fares are $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors and children 3-11. Advance reservations are necessary for the Ghost Train by writing the museum, at P.O. Box 315, South Elgin, IL 60177-0315 or by e-mail through the museum’s special events Web page, http://www.foxtrolley.org. Although the museum is open to visitors Sundays and holidays from May 9 through Nov. 7, and Saturdays during June 26-Sept. 4 as well as the three October Saturdays, there is one more special event. The Polar Express, Dec. 4. Another new event caps off the 2004 season! Chris van Allburg’s best-selling book, “The Polar Express,” comes alive aboard the museum’s trolley cars. Board the all-reserved Polar Express at the Blackhawk Forest Preserve station for a ride north to meet Santa and experience the magic of the season, beginning at 5 p.m. Fares are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and children 3-11. Reservations are required by writing the museum, at P.O. Box 315, South Elgin, IL 60277-0315 or by e-mail through the museum’s special events Web page, http://www.foxtrolley.org. 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 South Elgin, is open on operating days 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., except as noted. Fares are the same as in 2003, Konecki said: $3.50 for adults, $2 both for senior citizens and for children ages 3-11. Children under 3 ride free. For addtional information or to charter or rent a train for birthday or other parties go to web pages or call (630) 665-2581 or (847 697-4676. 
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