Dads invited to ride trolley in South Elgin

Take a trip back in time with dad and granddad this Father's Day at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31) in South Elgin.

On Sunday, June 21, fathers, grandfathers and even the great-grandfathers who remember the trolley cars best can ride free with a paid child's fare.

"It's our way of saying thanks to all the fathers and grandfathers who have made the Chicago area great," said Ed Konecki, museum president.

Riders are encouraged to bring lunch and stop or board in the picnic grove of the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, the line's southerly terminal, on Route 31 in St. Charles Township Blackhawk station.

The picnic grove includes a faithful recreation of the shelter that shielded riders from the elements outside of the old Coleman Grove amusement park, the privately-owned park that existed from 1896 into the 1930s on the site of the forest preserve.

Blackhawk station is handicapped-accessible.

The railroad is the last remnant of the trolley line that once served the park, the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Co., Konecki said. The line dates back to 1896.

The museum's line was once part of a larger network of electrically-operated railroads that operated throughout the Western suburbs. The museum owns more than 25 pieces of historic railroad, 'L,' streetcar and interurban electric railway equipment, much of it from the Chicago metropolitan area.

Fares are $3.50 for other adults, $2 for other senior citizens and children ages 3-11, and free for kids younger than 3.

The Fox River Trolley Museum is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the colorful history of Chicago's "L" and interurban electric railway lines. It is open Sundays and holidays through Nov. 1, and Saturdays between June 27 and Sept. 5 and Oct. 10-24.

For information or to charter a train, call (847) 697-4676 or visit foxtrolley.org.