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Date: 2007-04-10 FOX RIVER TROLLEY MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2007 SCHEDULE; 22 SPECIAL EVENT DAYS INCLUDED! Winter's snow drifts are gone, and the historic trolleys soon will be running again at the Fox River Trolley Museum, in South Elgin! On Sunday, May 13, the Fox River Line's historic trolleys begin the 2007 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. 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, from which 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 3. 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 17. It's Dad, Grandpa and even Great-Grandpa's turn to ride free, this day only, with a paid child's fare. Chicago Aurora & Elgin Days, June 30-July 1. It may seem difficult to believe, but July 3 marks the 50th anniversary of a day that was unparalleled in Chicago commuter rail history. On July 3, 1957, the “Roarin' Elgin” took 6,000 people to work and no one home, as it suspended passenger service, as it turned out, permanently. CA&E equipment will be operating (weather permitting) and on display, along with a display of CA&E artifacts and presentations on the line and how it served the western suburbs. There will be a noontime surprise both days! Red, White and Blue Dollar Day, July 4. All riders pay just $1 as the museum marks America's birthday, and the 41st anniversary of the museum's first public operation. Trolleyfest, Aug. 18-19, and the Village of South Elgin's Riverfest Express, Aug. 16-19. 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. 18 and 19 only. Fall Caboose Train Rides, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. 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! The Pumpkin Trolley, Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21. 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 Haunted Trolley, Oct. 27-28. The Haunted Trolley thrills children young and old both days during the day; no reservations are necessary and regular fares apply. The Halloween Hiawatha Ghost Story Train, Oct. 20, 27 and 28. Each evening, the reserved-seating, extra-fare, 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 ghoulishly delightful ghost tales. Halloween Hiawatha Ghost Story Train fares are $8 for adults and seniors, and $7 for children 1-11, with trains leaving each evening at 4:30, 5:45 and 7 p.m. The Ghost Story Trains will sell out; reservations are a must. Although the museum is open to visitors Sundays and holidays from May 13 through Nov. 4, and Saturdays June 30-Sept. 1 and Oct. 13-27, there is one more special event. The Polar Express, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 15 and 16. Chris Van Allsburg's best-selling book, “The Polar Express,” comes alive for a fourth consecutive holiday season aboard the museum's trolley cars. Board the extra-fare, 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. Fares are $8 for adults and seniors, and $7 for children 1 to11, with trains at 4, 5:05 and 6:10 p.m. each day. Chris Van Allsburg's book will be available for $18. Reservations again are a must; the past three years, all space sold out weeks in advance. Tickets for Ghost Story and Polar Express trains will be available only from the museum's Web site, and will go on sale in June. No tickets for Ghost Story and Polar Express trains will be sold day-of-event, and there will be no refunds or exchanges unless a train is canceled. 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 charter a train, call (847) 697-4676. 
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