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37-515: The museum is located at 365 South LaFox Street ( Illinois Route 31 ), approximately two blocks south of the intersection of LaFox and State Streets. The Fox River Trolley Museum is completely run by dedicated volunteers. Since 2003, the museum has operated a heritage railroad over a 2-mile line along the banks of the scenic Fox River to the Jon J. Duerr (formerly Blackhawk) Forest Preserve. The museum operates its trolley excursions from Mother's Day to

74-537: A 45-ton General Electric diesel switcher for use on the line, and that diesel switcher was the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric #5 that is now in the collection of the museum (see photo below and on the right). The locomotive handled all of the fright on the line until 1973, when the last freight train on the line ran. In 1961, the Railway Equipment Leasing and Investment Company (RELIC) has founded using

111-611: A 3-mile (4.8 km) stretch of the line between Coleman Yard (at the junction with the Illinois Central Railroad Iowa Division) to supply coal to the powerhouse at Elgin State Hospital . This service operated under electric power until 1947, and by diesel until 1972. At that time, the remnant of the line was sold to its current museum operators. Rail remaining between the current museum site in South Elgin and

148-428: A Metra station at Prairie Grove, that include an interchange with the existing IL 31 alignment and the proposed west McHenry bypass alignment to the north of Gracy Road. The west McHenry bypass was originally planned to travel over undeveloped farm lands from north of IL 31 and Gracy Road to IL 120 and Ringwood Road. The corridor was planned to be protected from development in the mid-1990s, but because of

185-559: A day. Grain was the major part of its freight traffic. Passenger service ended in 1924 but freight, converted to gas-electric in 1931, continued until 1937. The Aurora, Plainfield and Joliet Railroad left Aurora on the Parker Avenue line and ran 22 miles (35 km) southeast through Plainfield to Joliet . Eight passenger cars operated 17 trains each way in a day, and 3 streetcars provided local service in Joliet. First opened in 1903, it

222-492: A forest preserve, has two termini. The northern terminus is located in South Elgin, IL , and it is the museum's main campus. This terminus is called "Castlemuir" by the museum (see photo below and to the right), and it houses two platforms, a large train yard, and the museum's maintenance facility and car barn. The southern terminus of the railroad is called "Blackhawk" (see photo below and to the right), and this station lies within

259-912: A lack of funding, the corridor was never protected from development and has since been developed. Aurora, Elgin %26 Fox River Electric The Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric ( AE&FRE ), was an interurban railroad that operated freight and passenger service on its line paralleling the Fox River . It served the communities of Carpentersville , Dundee , Elgin , South Elgin , St. Charles , Geneva , Batavia , North Aurora , Aurora , Montgomery , and Yorkville in Illinois . It also operated local streetcar lines in both Aurora and Elgin. Predecessor companies opened service in 1895 between Carpentersville and Elgin; in 1896 between Elgin and St. Charles and Aurora and Geneva; in 1899 between Aurora and Yorkville; and in 1901 between St. Charles and Geneva. In

296-402: A small plot of land in the South Elgin, IL adjacent to the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric line that was graciously lent to the museum by the then owner of the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric , Bob DeYoung. In 1966, the museum began operating under a new name: RELIC Trolley Museum. In 1973, when freight service finally shut down on the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric ,

333-705: A woman who was walking along the Fox River Trail , which is adjacent to the museum, and saw one of the boys bleeding. The boy had cut his arm on a piece of glass inside the car barn, and the woman called the South Elgin Police thinking that this was suspicious. Upon investigation, the boys were caught soon after. The cars damaged during this act of vandalism included CTA 4451 (built 1925), CTA 4288 (b. 1922), CA&E 458 (b. 1945), CA&E 11 (b. 1910), CA&E 316 (b. 1913), CA&E 20 (b. 1902), AE&FRE 304 (b. 1923), and CSL 6 (b. 1891). In contrary to

370-665: Is a 58.41-mile-long (94.00 km) north–south state highway in northeastern Illinois , United States . It travels from U.S. Route 34 (US 34) in Oswego north to US 12 , near the Wisconsin state line, just south of Richmond . IL 31 follows the Fox River along the western bank. It parallels IL 25 , which travels along the eastern bank of the Fox River. It travels concurrent with IL 120 in McHenry . IL 31

407-604: Is also, along with IL 25, signed as part of the Fox River Valley area. IL 31 between Aurora and Geneva was considered part of the Lincoln Highway transcontinental route. The Western Algonquin Bypass was completed in 2014 and redirects traffic around downtown Algonquin . SBI Route 31 traveled from Quincy to Canton along various routes. This was dropped in 1935 and was replaced with US 24. In 1937, it

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444-984: Is called Richmond Road north of IL 120 and Front Street south of IL 120 in McHenry , Main Street in Algonquin , Western Avenue in Carpentersville , Eighth Street in West Dundee , State Street in Elgin , La Fox Street in South Elgin , Second Street in St. Charles , First Street in Geneva , Batavia Avenue in Batavia , Lincolnway Street in North Aurora , Lake Street (Southbound) and River Street (Northbound) in Aurora , and Lake Street in Montgomery . It

481-472: Is operated by the Fox River Trolley Association (FRTA). The FRTA is an educational, member-based 501(c)(3) tax exempt Illinois not-for-profit corporation. The museum maintains a collection of 30 antique electric trolleys, railroad cars, and locomotives which range in construction dates from 1887 to 1973. The majority of the museum collection is focused on railways and electric transit lines of

518-618: The Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad . Service typically operated on one-hour headways between Elgin and Aurora, with connecting service between Carpentersville and Elgin, and between Aurora and Montgomery. Passenger service ended March 31, 1935, except on a short stretch of track used by the CA&;E in St. Charles and Geneva, where passenger service ended December 31, 1937. Freight service continued on

555-592: The Aurora city system at Plum and View Streets, and went 28 miles (45 km) west through Kaneville to DeKalb . 3 passenger and 2 express cars made 9 trains each way in a day on a 90-minute and 3-hour schedule. Opened in 1905 with light steam equipment, it was electrified by 1910, and closed in 1923. The Fox and Illinois Union Railway left Yorkville (where it also connected with the C.B.&Q ) and ran 20 miles (32 km) straight south through Newark to Morris . Opened in 1914, two passenger cars ran 5 trains each way in

592-590: The Chicago area. One of the most exceptional cars in this collection is the wooden interurban (inter-city) Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad car #20, purchased directly from CA&E after that railroad discontinued passenger service. Car #20 was constructed in 1902 and is the oldest electric interurban car operating in the United States. The most recent collection acquisitions include the interurban electric railway car, Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric Co. #304, that

629-591: The Fox River Trolley Museum (its original line) Some double trucked cars were used in both city and interurban service. Most city cars were single trucked “Birney” style, although a few double trucked cars were used. On arrival cars 48, 50-97, bought by AE&FRE, replaced most older cars. In 1920 the AE&;C Fox Valley Division connected with four radiating interurbans, all were closed by 1937. The Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company left Elgin from

666-412: The State Hospital (a.k.a. Asylum)(mile 1.8), then down the side of LaFox Street through Clintonville/South Elgin (mile 3.1). Curving east onto private right of way the line went through the freight interchange at Coleman (mile 4.5) , across the river on its own bridge, and continued south to an intersection with Fifth Avenue in St. Charles. Street running started there, south to Main Street, then west across

703-403: The State Hospital was removed in 1978. Today much of the railroad’s former right of way is now a bicycle path known as the Fox River Trail . The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin operates over a preserved section of its right of way. By 1900 both Elgin and Aurora had electric streetcars on lines radiating out from downtown. Elgin had 12 miles (19 km) of track, the downtown area

740-444: The damage created, this vandalism attract the attention of many well-wishers. Many Chicago news channels covered the vandalism including NBC 5 Chicago , ABC 7, and Fox 32 Chicago . This also prompted over 400 people to donate over $ 50,000 altogether, and glass companies Window Repair Guy and Chicago Window and Door Solutions to donate glass to help with the repair of many of the cars damaged on July 8th. The Fox River Trolley Museum

777-753: The east shoulder through North Aurora to the Aurora city limits. In Aurora the interurban used the Lake Street streetcar line on to the terminal. In 2013 Pace Route 801 Goes from Elgin to Geneva, although largely on a more western alignment. From Geneva to Aurora Pace Route 802 follows the original interurban line very closely. By 1900 most Fox River area lines shared management, city car orders were often divided between Aurora and Elgin. Lists include AE&FRE, predecessors EA&S and AE&C, as well as city systems in both Aurora and Elgin. Interurban cars were double trucked with heavier construction than city cars. Car 304 has been preserved and operates at

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814-498: The end of the Edison Street line at Wing Street, going 36 mi (58 km) west through the small towns of Huntley and Marengo to Belvidere , and a 14-mile (23 km) run through connection to Rockford. With 9 passenger and 2 express cars they scheduled 19 trains each way with an hourly headway. Opened in 1907, it was the last to be closed to passenger service, in 1930. The Chicago, Aurora and DeKalb Railroad connected to

851-657: The era 1901-1906 it was known as the Elgin, Aurora & Southern Traction Company. The EA&S merged with the Aurora Elgin & Chicago Railway in 1906 and became the new Aurora Elgin & Chicago Railroad's Fox River Division. The company was separated by order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in 1923, when the Fox River Division assumed the AE&FRE name, and the rest of the AE&C (the Third Rail Division) became

888-462: The first Sunday in November every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During July and August, the museum excursions operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Since 2003, the Fox River Trolley Museum has operated the current 1.9 mile long mainline along the banks of the Fox River. This mainline, which is one of the few railroads in the country that operates within

925-553: The heart of the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. The station is named for the Blackhawk Forest Preserve, which is what the forest preserve used to be named. The museum's mainline also includes one major flagstop , which is named "Woodcliff." Woodcliff is a private residence that is located approximately 0.2 miles south of Castlemuir, and the home is located along the museum's mainline and the Fox River riverfront. Woodcliff, owned by museum member Ralph Treddup until his passing,

962-420: The last owner of the railroad Bob DeYoung sold the remaining line to the Fox River Trolley Museum. The last big development to the museum's mainline occurred in 2003 when the line was extended into the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. Before 2003, the end of track on the mainline was at Coleman Grove, about 1.7 miles from Castlemuir. The addition in 2003 added 0.2 miles to the track length, and added what many consider

999-704: The line. Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company (AE&FRE) Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Railroad (CA&E) Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad (CNS&M) Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad (CSS&SB) Chicago City Railway (CCRy) Chicago Rapid Transit Company (CRT) Chicago Surface Lines (CSL) Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) Warren and Saline River Railroad (WSRR) Soo Line (SOO) Illinois Central Railroad (IC) Wilson Car Lines (WCL) Chicago Tunnel Company (CTC) Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Illinois Route 31 Illinois Route 31 ( IL 31 )

1036-491: The mental hospital. This system of interchanging car between the Illinois Central Railroad and the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric took place from when passenger service shut down in 1935 until the railroad itself shut down due to the lack of a need for coal by the mental hospital. Until 1946, the railroad was powered by electric trolley wire. In 1946, the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric purchased

1073-759: The most scenic part of the trolley ride. On Sunday, July 8th, 2018, two boys, aged 11 and 13 broke into the museum's car barn and inflicted almost $ 150,000 worth of damage on the 8 antique pieces of history stored inside. They boys first broke into the Maintenance-Of-Way (MOW) Building to get pickaxes, which they then used to cut a hole in the wall of the car barn, allowing them access to the vary valuable and rare trolley cars. They then continued to throw rocks and destroy many train windows and relics. One electric car had 26 windows completely trashed, and another car, CA&E 20, had its extremely rare CA&E headlight almost completely destroyed. The two boys were caught by

1110-434: The museum now operates over has been in non-stop operation since 1896. The railroad line was built for the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric interurban railroad in 1896, and it transported passengers up and down the Fox River until 1935. In 1935, passenger service along the line was abandoned, and almost all of the line was torn up, with the exception of 3.5 mile of track in South Elgin, IL. The sole purpose of this line

1147-414: The river to Third Street, and south again into Geneva on Anderson Boulevard. At State Street the line turned east and went to Third Street (Chicago Junction , mile 11.6), where it turned south, then east, jogged south on Route 31, then onto private right of way between Route 31 and the river. A mile further south the line returned to Route 31, Batavia Avenue, street running through Batavia (mile 14.6), then on

Fox River Trolley Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue

1184-457: Was bought by the current head of the museum car department. There is a path down from the Woodcliff house to get to the museum's mainline and the adjacent Fox River Trail which is adorned with railroad switch stands and memorabilia, and a small flagstop structure on the mainline (see photos below and on the right). While the stations and many of the buildings along the line are new, the line that

1221-794: Was built for the Fox River Line in 1923, and ran in daily service between Elgin and Aurora until March 1935. Between 1935 and 1954, it operated in Cleveland over the line best known as the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit. The car was then sold, with three other ex-Fox River Line cars, to real estate entrepreneur Gerald E. Brookins, whose family operated Trolleyville USA , in Olmsted Township, Ohio, in suburban Cleveland, until 2002. AE&FRE #304 made its first run over its original railroad on August 21, 2010, over 75 years after it last ran on

1258-554: Was double tracked in the 1920s. Aurora had 18 miles (29 km), with double track in most of the downtown area by 1900. Aurora’s lines were often “through routes”, entering downtown on one line and exiting on another. Since 31 March 1935, when rail passenger service was discontinued, routes in Aurora have changed, by 2013 under successor Pace little of the early city lines remained. In Elgin, by contrast, most streetcar lines are now part of longer bus routes. The interurban line left Elgin going south on State Street (Route 31 ), past

1295-715: Was formed. In 1935, US 430 was decommissioned after US 330 was extended north from Geneva to West Dundee. The northern extension was later removed in 1937 in favor of IL 31 and the western extension of US 330 to Dixon. The intersection of IL 31 and IL 120 is now the most congested intersection in McHenry County. IDOT is currently in Phase 1 of a planned widening of IL 31 from IL 176 in Crystal Lake to IL 120 in McHenry . A bypass of McHenry continues to appear in documents planning for

1332-422: Was reapplied along other routes on its modern routing. There have been no changes to the routing since. U.S. Route 430 ( US 430 ) was commissioned from 1926 to 1935 in the U.S. state of Illinois , and traveled from Aurora to Crystal Lake . It traveled concurrently with US 30 from Aurora to Geneva at present-day IL 38 . In 1934, US 430 was removed north of West Dundee after US 14

1369-617: Was to transport coal to the nearby Elgin State Mental Hospital, and the railroad was powered by two ancient home-built electric locomotives. The coal for the metal hospital was brought in by the Illinois Central Railroad via Coleman Siding on the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric line, which is now a point on the museum's mainline. The Illinois Central Railroad would bring three hoppers of coal to Coleman Siding every three days, and these hoppers would be brought up to

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