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The Fox River Trolley Museum has recently acquired two very significant historic cars for its collection - AE&FRE 304 and CA&E 458. Number 304 was one of the last cars in regular passenger service on the Aurora Elgin and Fox River Electric between Elgin and Aurora of which the Museum currently operates a mile and half of track out of South Elgin. This service was terminated in 1935 and seven of the cars including 304 were sold to what became the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit in Cleveland Ohio. After retirement from Shaker Heights Rapid Transit it went to Trolleyville USA, an operating Trolley Museum in Olmstead Falls, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. It remained there until that Museum ceased operations. Chicago Aurora and Elgin number 458 was one of ten cars built for the CA&E by the St. Louis Car Co. and delivered in 1945. This was the last order of heavyweight interurban cars built in America. The Elgin Branch of the C A&E served South Elgin through its Clintonville station. This car was also acquired by Trolleyville USA for operation at its Museum. In effect both cars are now back home. The story however does not end there. These two cars were purchased and transported to the Fox River Trolley Museum at great cost and their restoration will require additional funding. You can help the Museum in all of these opportunities by donating to the funds involved. CTA L 202 has served the Museum well since 1979 when It was acquired from the Chicago Transit Authority. It was built in 1908 and served the predecessor companies of the CTA and the CTA well until it was purchased by the Museum. Its motors after years of hard service have finally needed repair and/or re-building. When back in service L 202 will again be hauling our "Big Red Caboose" for the endless joy of many happy kids. Transportation to the repair location and repair of these very old motors is expensive and the museum needs your help. You can click "Donate Now " to make a donation by credit card or down load the donation forms below and then print them out and forward with checks or money orders to the Museum. See the forms for more information about the project.
Thank you for you interest in and support of the Fox River Trolley Museum. 
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