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Date: 2006-04 FOX RIVER TROLLEY MUSEUM TO HOST 17 SPECIAL EVENT DAYS IN 2006 The trolleys will soon be back and plenty of great times await you in 2006 at the Fox River Trolley Museum, in South Elgin! On Sunday, May 14, the Fox River Line's historic trolleys begin the 2006 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. This summer the line marks its 110th birthday. The 40-mile line was built over a seven-year period by three different companies, and service began between Elgin and Geneva on June 30, 1896. Today's Fox River Line, which owns 1-1/2 miles of the original line, and features the oldest surviving car that operated the day service opened in 1902 on the Elgin branch of its sister line, the Aurora Elgin & Chicago (AE&C) R.R., attempts to recreate the atmosphere of an old-time trolley ride on its four-mile round trip. 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 4. 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 18. 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 40th anniversary of the museum's first public operation. “It's a real bargain for the entire family,” said Ed Konecki, museum president. Trolleyfest, Aug. 19-20, and the Village of South Elgin's Riverfest Express, Aug. 17-20. It's two great celebrations, and one great time! Riverfest Express features food, music, carnival rides, fun and fireworks; the museum's historic trolley cars operate from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20 only. Summer may be on the wane Sept. 17, but there will be plenty of hot jazz at the museum, at the West End Jazz Band makes the first of two 2006 appearances at the museum. Regular fares apply! Fall Caboose Train Rides, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1. 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. 14, the museum and the South Elgin Dept. of Parks and Recreation provide hayrides, food and fun as part of its Harvest Festival. Children 3-11 who present the coil ticket they receive when they purchase 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. 14, 15, 21 and 22. Get your pumpkin by riding a Fox River Line trolley to the Pumpkin Patch at Coleman Yard; all kids get a small treat! Pumpkin tickets are $1 extra. The West End Jazz Band returns, and performs 12 noon-4 p.m. Oct. 21 for no extra charge. The Haunted Trolley and the Halloween Hiawatha Ghost Story Train, Oct. 28-29. 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, hot chocolate and s'mores along the shores of the Fox, will hear a ghoulishly delightful ghost tale throughout the journey based on the rich history of the area, and will hike to the grave sites of two of General Scott's soldiers, who died during the Blackhawk Wars. Halloween Hiawatha Ghost Story Train fares are $6.50 for adults and seniors, and $5.50 for children 1-11, and trains will depart at 5 and 7 p.m. both nights. Reservations are required for the Ghost Story Train. Reserve your space early by writing the museum special events coordinator at P.O. Box 315, South Elgin, Ill., 60177 or by visiting the museum's Web site, at www.foxtrolley.org/events.htm. Although the museum is open to visitors Sundays and holidays from May 14 through Nov. 5, and Saturdays June 24-Sept. 2 and Oct. 14-28, there is one more special event. The Polar Express, Dec. 2 and 9. Chris Van Allsburg's best-selling book, “The Polar Express,” comes alive for a third 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 5:10 and 6:20 p.m. each night. Fares are $6.50 for adults and seniors, and $5.50 for children 1 to11. Reservations again are a must; the past two years, all space sold out weeks in advance. Reserve your space early by writing the museum special events coordinator at P.O. Box 315, South Elgin, Ill., 60177 or by visiting the museum's Web site, at www.foxtrolley.org/events.htm. 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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