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Date: 2005-04 FOX RIVER TROLLEY MUSEUM TO OFFER 13 SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2005 The trolleys are back and plenty of great times await you in 2005 at the Fox River Trolley Museum, in South Elgin! On Sunday, May 8, the Fox River Line’s historic trolleys begin the 2005 season by celebrating Mother’s Day, with free rides to mothers, grandmothers and even great grandmothers with a paid child’s fare. Fares for Dad and other adults will be the same as last year, $3.50, and $2 for senior citizens and for children 3-11. Children under age 3 ride free. It has been nearly 109 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 Blackhawk station at the Jon Duerr 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, where canoes could be rented. Many visitors would bring pails and shovels, and dig in the Fox 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 5. 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 19. 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 3-4. All riders pay just $1 as the museum marks America’s birthday, and the 39th anniversary of the museum’s first public operation. “It’s a real bargain for the entire family,” said Ed Konecki, museum president. A new event debuts July 17: Model Railroad Day. Enjoy model railroad displays from area clubs, and ride their big brothers -- the museum’s trolley cars! Trolleyfest, Aug. 20-21, and South Elgin’s Riverfest Express, Aug. 18-21. Two great celebrations, and one great time! Riverfest provides food, music, carnival rides, fun and fireworks; the museum operates from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21 only. Fox Valley Dollar Day, Sept. 18. Meet your neighbors for a day of family fun. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy an old-time trolley ride. Area residents ride for $1 per person per trip (ID required). Fall Caboose Train Rides, Oct. 2 and 9. As the colors begin to change along the scenic Fox River and in the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, there’s no better place to watch than the cupola of the museum’s Illinois Central R.R. caboose! On Oct. 8, the museum and the South Elgin Dept. of Parks and Recreation provide hayrides, food, fun and a 7K “Harvest Hustle” run as part of its Harvest Festival. Children 3-11 who present the coil ticket they receive when they puchase a pumpkin from the village of South Elgin’s County Park patch, just north of the museum, will ride free. Other riders will pay regular fares. The Pumpkin Trolley, Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23. 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 Hiawatha Ghost Story Train, Oct. 29-30. The Haunted Trolley thrills children young and old both days during the day; no reservations are necessary and regular fares apply. Both evenings, the reserved-seating, after hours Ghost Story Trains entertain children, their daddies, mummies and even grandmummies! Those who dare can experience a campfire along the shores of the Fox with ghoulishly delightful ghost stories. Halloween Hiawatha Ghost Story Train fares are $6 for adults and seniors, and $5 for children 1-11. Advance reservations are necessary for the Ghost Story Train by writing the museum’s Special Events Reservations Coordinator, Box 315, South Elgin, IL 60177-0315 to get a reservation form, or by going to the special events page at this Web site. Although the museum is open to visitors Sundays and holidays from May 8 through Nov. 6, and Saturdays June 25-Sept. 3 and Oct. 8-29, there is one more special event. The Polar Express, Dec. 3 and 10. Chris Van Allsburg’s best-selling book, “The Polar Express,” comes alive for a second consecutive holiday season aboard the museum’s trolley cars. Board the all-reserved Polar Express at Blackhawk station in the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, on Illinois 31 in St. Charles Township, for a ride north to meet Santa and experience the magic of the season, beginning at 5 p.m. Fares are $6 for adults and seniors, and $5 for children 1 to11. Reservations can be obtained by writing the museum’s Special Events Reservations Coordinator, Box 315, South Elgin, IL 60177-0315 to get a reservation form, or by going to the special events page at this Web site. 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. Regular fares remain 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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