Fox River Trolley Museum

Fox River Trolley Museum Where history rides the rails. All aboard for a one-of-a-kind journey through time! But we’re more than just trains.
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The Fox River Trolley Museum brings electric railroading to life with historic trains, hands-on restoration, and unforgettable rides along tracks from 1896—all powered by volunteers and community support. Nestled in the scenic Fox River Valley, the Fox River Trolley Museum is a living museum powered entirely by volunteers, passion, and a whole lot of elbow grease. Our collection of historic electr

ic railcars; from elevated CTA cars to vintage interurbans offers families, train buffs, and curious visitors the chance to ride on rails that date back to 1896. We’re storytellers, preservationists, weekend engineers, and full-time dreamers. Whether it’s pulling electrical wire for our barn extension, restoring a 100-year-old baggage cart, or welcoming guests for magical seasonal events like Bunny Burrow Express and Santa’s Trolley, there’s always something happening on the line. Every ticket, donation, and volunteer hour helps us keep history not just preserved, but moving. Come ride with us, work beside us, or simply enjoy the view. The Fox River Trolley Museum is where misfit cars get second chances, and people of all ages fall in love with railroading all over again

Our volunteers love answering any questions you may have while visiting the museum!Recently, our Car Department Supervis...
06/01/2026

Our volunteers love answering any questions you may have while visiting the museum!

Recently, our Car Department Supervisor Jeff was approached by some young visitors who wanted to learn how our tracks work. From explaining switches and rails to sharing the history behind our operations, moments like these are what make the museum so special.

It’s all about passing along knowledge, preserving history, and inspiring the next generation of transit enthusiasts. Be sure to say hello and ask questions during your next visit, our volunteers are always happy to share what they know!

We’ve got big news! Christmas came early!Santa’s Trolley Express tickets are officially on sale TODAY! Don’t get left ou...
06/01/2026

We’ve got big news! Christmas came early!

Santa’s Trolley Express tickets are officially on sale TODAY! Don’t get left out in the cold, this festive ride is one of our most popular events of the year, and tickets tend to disappear faster than cookies on Christmas Eve!

Hop aboard our historic traincars, enjoy a memorable ride, and make magical memories with Santa and his helpers. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, this is one holiday tradition you won’t want to miss!

Get your tickets here!: https://foxtrolley.org/visit/special-events/santas-trolley-express/

Don’t wait too long! We’re expecting these seats to fly off the shelf faster than Santa’s sleigh!

Our Car Department volunteers have been hard at work rebuilding the north platform of SOO Caboose 130! Years of exposure...
05/31/2026

Our Car Department volunteers have been hard at work rebuilding the north platform of SOO Caboose 130! Years of exposure to the elements had taken their toll on the original platform, leaving sections of the wood structure in need of replacement.

The team has been removing the rotten wood and installing new beams to restore the platform and help preserve this historic caboose for future generations. Projects like this are an important part of maintaining our collection and ensuring that these pieces of railroad history remain safe and stable for years to come.

A big thank you to our dedicated volunteers who continue to donate their time, skills, and effort to keep history alive at the museum. Stay tuned for more updates as work on SOO Caboose 130 continues!

Sometimes Operations does more than operate our historic cars!A big thank you to our Operations volunteers for taking th...
05/30/2026

Sometimes Operations does more than operate our historic cars!

A big thank you to our Operations volunteers for taking the time to repair one of our picnic tables. It’s the little things behind the scenes that help keep the museum looking great and make every visit more enjoyable for our guests.

Whether it’s running trolley cars, maintaining equipment, or lending a hand with projects around the grounds, our volunteers are always stepping up where they’re needed. Thank you for all that you do!

Want to help preserve transit history, but not interested in working on the trains? We may have the perfect spot for you...
05/28/2026

Want to help preserve transit history, but not interested in working on the trains? We may have the perfect spot for you!

Our Buildings & Grounds team plays a huge role in keeping the museum looking its best for visitors and volunteers alike. Whether you enjoy planting flowers, helping maintain the grounds, tackling outdoor projects, or simply want an excuse to spend time outside, there’s always something to do.

No railroad experience needed! Just a willingness to lend a hand and help keep history alive at the museum!

Want to try it out? Click here: https://foxtrolley.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/

We’re incredibly proud to see the tracks for CA&E Car 321 officially in place near Ardmore Station in Villa Park!This pr...
05/26/2026

We’re incredibly proud to see the tracks for CA&E Car 321 officially in place near Ardmore Station in Villa Park!

This project was made possible through the hard work of both Fox River Trolley Museum volunteers and the Village of Villa Park Public Works Department, who worked side-by-side to bring this vision to life.

Our volunteers installed the rail, ties, gravel, tie plates, and joiner bars so Chicago Aurora & Elgin Car 321 can soon arrive at its new permanent home in Villa Park after departing the Illinois Railway Museum. This is a huge moment for local railroad and transit preservation, keeping an important piece of CA&E history close to the communities it once served.

We also made sure the job was done authentically and respectfully. Original rail was used, along with period-correct joiners, date-correct ties, and authentic tie plates to recreate the look and feel of historic CA&E trackage. The amount of care, craftsmanship, and volunteer effort that went into this project cannot be overstated, and honestly, everyone involved did a phenomenal job.

We want to thank the Village of Villa Park, Illinois, Government and their Public Works staff for being fantastic partners throughout this effort. We can’t wait to welcome Car 321 to its new home later this summer!

Who can’t love a view like this while riding a historic trolley car? Step back in time and enjoy a relaxing ride along t...
05/26/2026

Who can’t love a view like this while riding a historic trolley car?

Step back in time and enjoy a relaxing ride along the beautiful Fox River aboard our preserved trolley-cars and rapid transit equipment. Whether you’re a longtime railfan or just looking for a unique family outing, there’s nothing quite like the sights and sounds of history in motion!

Come make some memories with us at the Fox River Trolley Museum.

Big thanks to our volunteer Chris for mounting our Des Plaines Avenue. sign on the high-level platform!We think it looks...
05/23/2026

Big thanks to our volunteer Chris for mounting our Des Plaines Avenue. sign on the high-level platform!

We think it looks absolutely amazing and adds even more character to the station area. Little details like this help bring the history of rapid transit to life for our visitors. Be sure to check it out on your next visit to the museum!

No plans for Memorial Day? Come out to the Fox River Trolley Museum and enjoy a beautiful ride along the Fox River!This ...
05/19/2026

No plans for Memorial Day? Come out to the Fox River Trolley Museum and enjoy a beautiful ride along the Fox River!

This Memorial Day, Sip n Slay Drinks will be on-site serving up delicious family-friendly beverages! The perfect pairing for a fun day out with the family. Whether you’re here for the historic trolleys, the scenic river views, or just a relaxing holiday outing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

We can’t wait to see you at the museum!

Looking for a unique location for your next project or event? Come see us at the museum! Need an authentic CTA car for a...
05/18/2026

Looking for a unique location for your next project or event? Come see us at the museum!

Need an authentic CTA car for a short film, music video, or photoshoot? Looking for a one-of-a-kind space for a field trip, scout outing, birthday celebration, or private group event? We offer charter opportunities aboard our historic trains and trolleys!

From vintage rapid transit cars to historic streetcars, our collection provides a setting you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re planning a creative project or just want a memorable experience, we’d love to help make it happen.

Check out our website to learn more about private charters and group visits: https://foxtrolley.org/visit/charter-a-train/

Address

365 S Lafox Street
South Elgin, IL
60177

Telephone

+18476974676

Website

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