Trolley Times
EAST TROY
The Official 2019 Visitors Guide of the East Troy Railroad Museum 2002 Church Street, P.O. Box 943, East Troy, WI 53120 • 262-642-3263 • www.easttroyrr.org
All aboard! Travel back in time with the East Troy Railroad Museum
Climb on board the East Troy Electric Railroad to visit a time when life was a little simpler. Our historic interurban railroad cars and trolleys take a scenic 14-mile round-trip through beautiful Southeastern Wisconsin. You may board at our depot in East Troy, at the Elegant Farmer or at Indianhead Park in Mukwonago. Meander through the museum in our depot, where kids can be trolley motormen, discover the joy of model railroads and learn about electricity. The gift shop features a unique selection of railroad souvenirs for all ages. Delight your taste buds at J. Lauber’s Ice Cream Parlor across the tracks from the depot, enjoy coffee and a sandwich at 2894 on Main or partake of a delicious meal at Ivan’s on the Square or the East Troy Brewery in East Troy. The East Troy Railroad Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers committed to the operation and preservation of historic trolleys and interurban railcars. All proceeds and sales benefit the education and preservation work of the museum. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
SEAN MCGRATH Trolley Times
The amenities • Parking is free at the museum. • Smoke-free trains run rain or shine. • Discover, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. • Public washrooms are available. Train schedule, ticket prices and equipment subject to change without notice.
Above: Milwaukee Streetcar 846 posed in the sunset for the 2018 Night Photo Shoot.
EAST TROY RAILROAD MUSEUM 2019 SCHEDULE FRIDAYS May 31 to Sept. 27 Eastbound, departs East Troy Depot 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!
http://goo. gl/8P1zR1
Left: Kids of all ages enjoy riding our trains and learning the history of the railroad.
Westbound, departs Indianhead Park, Mukwonago 10:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2:40 p.m. (not a round-trip) Westbound, departs Elegant Farmer Depot 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. (not a round-trip)
CALIE HERBST Trolley Times
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS April 27 to Nov. 3 Eastbound, departs East Troy Depot 10 a.m., 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. Westbound, departs Indianhead Park, Mukwonago 10:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:40 p.m., (2:40 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. are not round-trips) Westbound, departs Elegant Farmer Depot 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., (3 p.m. and 4 p.m. are not round-trips) FARES Ride to your heart’s content! Adults $12.50 • Seniors (65+) $10.50 Children (3-14) $8 (all fares are plus tax) Children 2 and under ride for free. All tickets are good all day long for as many rides as you would like. All train schedules can be found online at easttroyrr.org/schedule.html. Visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/EastTroyRR PUBLISHED BY
East Troy Times & Southern Lakes Newspapers, LLC 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 in conjunction with
The East Troy Railroad Museum
2002 Church St.-P.O. Box 943, East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3263 www.easttroyrr.org
EAST TROY RAILROAD
Welcomes you to its 112th season
Welcome to the East Troy Electric Railroad! We hope that you enjoy your time here. Sit back and relax as we take you on a journey back in time where there was no road rage or gridlock. As we roll into another year, we are celebrating the railroad’s 112th year of continuous operation! There is so much you can do at the museum! Our award winning dining cars will operate more than 15 times this season, offering you a choice of first class dining experiences with fantastic four course meals, or family-oriented picnic and pasta trains, or you might enjoy one of our beer tasting trains. Picnic trains will replace our pizza trains and depart on May 11th and Aug. 3. Our popular burger train will depart May 18. Or check out our new family pasta nights on July 20 and Aug. 17. Remember that you can also charter
your own train any day or night of the week – with or without food. Visit our website at easttroyrr.org to reserve your seats today! Join Santa, Rudolph and his friends for a magical journey filled with carols and hot chocolate on our Christmas Train! Our heated trolleys will take you on a journey to the Elegant Farmer where guests can visit Santa’s Workshop! (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.) Remember that this museum would not function without its wonderful team of volunteers. Our group of dedicated volunteers will do their best to give you a memorable experience. Interested in joining the group? Please ask a volunteer about opportunities. No matter what talent you might be able to bring to the table, we welcome your help! Because we are an electric railroad,
we ask that you do not touch anything under our cars. As safety is the most important thing, please inform any of our volunteers if you see an unsafe situation. Finally, if you are thinking about visiting us more than once, you might consider becoming a member. It’s a good deal since the benefits include unlimited free rides for a year, a 10 percent discount in the gift shop, a quarterly member newsletter and access to member-only events! Stop by the depot counter for more information! On behalf of all the members of the museum, I would like to thank you for helping us preserve this wonderful piece of history! Please tell 50 of your closest friends about us and see you again soon!
~ Ryan Jonas
East Troy Railroad President
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
JUST ACROSS THE TRACKS FROM THE EAST TROY DEPOT
g Re l i v i n The ! g ia N o st a l
since 1974
J. Lauber’s Ice Cream Parlor
Looking for a fun-filled place for dinner? Organ Piper is open Tuesday - Sunday,
For 45 years, Lauber’s has been dishing out delicious ice cream treats in an authentic 1920s setting. Choose from a 4 page menu of malts, sundaes, splits and sodas served to your table while you listen to the 78RPM jukebox and enjoy the collection of ice cream and general store items that line the shelves.
and the Mighty Wurlitzer is played every night for your enjoyment!
WE SERVE REAL ICE CREAM... not soft serve!
TWENTY MINUTES FROM EAST TROY I-43, exit on Layton, east to S. 108th, turn left go 3 blocks.
262-642-3679 Comfortable seating for 60 (for groups over 20, please call) Open May Thru October June 1 – September 2 Monday – Friday, Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Spring, May 4-June 1, Mon.-Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fall, Sept. 7-Oct. 27, Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. J. Lauber’s is in East Troy, 2010 Church Street (Hwy. 120) 2 blocks north of the square, next to the Trolley Museum. 15 minutes north of Lake Geneva, via Hwy. 120, or exit I-43 at 120 (Church Street) and go 1½ blocks past the square to 2010 Church Street 339845
4353 S. 108TH STREET GREENFIELD, WI
414.529.1177
$5.00 OFF
One Large Pizza!
Offer limit one per visit. Valid only with current East Troy Electric Railroad ticket. Expires 4/1/2020
www.organpiperpizza.com 339992
TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
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SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times
Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Car 761 in 1959. (Photo by Gordon E. Lloyd, Lloyd Transportation Library)
Can
North Shore Car 761
RETURN TO SERVICE? olunteers at the East Troy Electric Railroad have begun documenting the necessary tasks and associated budgets required to return Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Car 761 to operating condition. The car was last evaluated about ten years ago. A number of repairs were made at that time, including new heating and new doors, and we purchased new material to reupholster the seats. A new roof went on about five years ago. The project stalled when volunteers discovered some significant structural damage to the front of the car. Now, a new team of volunteers wants to determine what it would take to get the car running again. They expect to complete their analysis of the car sometime in the spring of 2019, with a goal of presenting a proposal to the Board of Directors in time to request some funding in the 2020 budget. Returning the North Shore car to operation is important to many volunteers at the East Troy Railroad, since the car ran in Wisconsin on the interurban line between Chicago and Milwaukee. The East Troy line is the only remaining segment of original interurban line in Wisconsin.
Our goal is to help people experience what it was like to ride interurban trains when they were a primary means of transportation in the state. Riding in one of the actual interurban cars that ran in Wisconsin truly delivers on that goal. Of course we are proud to have Sheboygan Light Power & Railway Car 26 operating on the railroad, a car that ran between Sheboygan and Elkhart Lake, so riders can experience that kind of historic ride today. And we’re also happy to have so many cars that operated in Chicago available for our visitors to ride. But wouldn’t it be great if we had another historic car that ran in Wisconsin available to ride? The Standard Steel Car Company in Butler, PA built Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Car 761 in 1930. The car is 55 feet long and weighs 103,800 pounds. It rides on two Baldwin 84-30AA trucks. The car was in service on the North Shore Line through 1963, when the North Shore Line ceased operation. The East Troy Railroad purchased the car from another museum in 2001. For more information, watch our website for announcements about the status of the project, or sign up for our quarterly newsletter (via our website).
In 1982, Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Car 715 was a regular on the East Troy Electric Railroad. In this photo you can see the Municipality of East Troy Wisconsin Railroad diesel engine used to haul freight at the time. Also note the nice advertisement for Lauber’s Ice Cream Parlor. (Evan Richards Photo) SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times
The gentleman at the controls of Car 715 in this photo is none other than Chuck Richards, one of our current volunteers. (Evan Richards photo) SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
2019 Lineup of Events
Beer Tasting Trains May 25, Sept. 7
Join us for one of our fun and educational beer tasting trains! Enjoy five different beers while traveling the route of the East Troy Electric Railroad. The trains run as a joint event with Black Point Estate on Geneva Lake. They feature Michael Rehberg from Black Point as our beer tasting host, and hors d’oeuvres from Toothpicks, our wonderful caterer. This 2-1/2 hour event starts and finishes at the East Troy Depot. Book your seats online under our Dinner Train heading at: easttroyrr.org.
Railfan Day/Railfest June 22
On Railfan Day we take all of our equipment out of the barn and put it on display. You can ride a different rail car on each trip of the day. Once again this year, we are also offering fun family activities like face painting, model railroad car building, speeder rides on our industrial spur, miniature train rides, and operating model railroads.
Chicago Day July 13
Celebrate Chicago’s railway history with a revival of the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend railroad of 90 years ago. We have six operating South Shore cars, originally built in the 1920s, plus 1924 Chicago Elevated Cars that we hope to have running. Several National Park Rangers from Indiana Dunes National Park will be on hand to explain the history of the South Shore Line. Join us for a fun-filled day reliving Chicago rail history.
rail history during Milwaukee Day. In addition to the 1920 built streetcar, which once whisked residents in the greater Milwaukee area to the ballpark and shopping, we have TMER&L’s 1907 line car (D-23) which is equipped to repair the overhead line and to respond to trolley emergencies. Also featured during the weekend is L8, a steeplecab locomotive built in Milwaukee in 1935 that once moved coal cars to and from the Port Washington power plant.
Night Photo Shoot Sept. 21
Join us for the fourth annual Night Photo Shoot, for photographers who enjoy trains and who also enjoy the unique photos that result from shooting in low light. We will stage our historic railcars in a setting sure to produce some outstanding photos. This event is limited to 30 participants.
Christmas Parade Train Dec. 7
Special heated passenger cars will pick up riders from Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago and transport them behind the East Troy Railroad’s Santa Train to the Division Street crossing in East Troy. Riders will be able to walk to the East Troy Village Square for the community Christmas tree lighting. The trolley will leave at 8 p.m. from the East Troy Depot to take riders back to Elegant Farmer. The event is co-sponsored by the East Troy and Mukwonago Chambers of Commerce. Tickets can be purchased online at easttroyrr.org.
Christmas Trains
Nov. 30 • Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22
Our magical ride will take you a half hour from our East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy, to Santa’s Workshop located at the Elegant Sept. 21 Farmer. Here children can visit Santa and get a We are home to one of the last original photo taken with the jolly elf himself! Santa’s streetcars of The Milwaukee Electric Railway & workshop wouldn’t be complete without some hot Light Company still in operation. chocolate and cookies! Children receive a special On Sept. 21 we will celebrate Milwaukee’s rich gift on the return to East Troy.
Milwaukee Day
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Join us for some family fun at the East Troy Railroad’s Railfan Day/Railfest, which includes face painting in the depot.
Family Picnic Trains to debut in 2019 Charter You may wonder why are there no Pizza Trains in 2019. It’s because we have decided to replace the Pizza Trains with Picnic Trains! In spite of our best efforts, we’ve had trouble finding pizza 4:30 p.m. – Check-in/boarding that meets our standards for 5 p.m. – Departure quality and temperature. So 6:30 p.m. – Return we decided to try a new family Note that the picnic trains friendly Picnic Train this season. leave 30 minutes earlier than We want our guests to have the other dinner trains. best experience – and we hope the new menu will meet that standard. We also hope the price will still be affordable for families. The Family Picnic Trains are designed for families with children, including a menu that appeals to all ages. The Picnic Train trip includes a stop at Byrnes Park, so kids can enjoy the playground equipment while the train crew is preparing for the return trip and dessert! The cost for the Picnic Trains is $26 per person, including a rainbow colored popcorn appetizer, all beef hot dogs with assorted toppings, served with kettle crunch potato chips, pickles and grape bunches. Dessert is a strawberry shortcake stack layered in a clear cup with a lollipop garnish. The cost includes bottomless soda and gratuity. Sales tax is not included. Restrooms are available on board. You may also wish to consider our other family-friendly dining SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times events, including the burger train New family-friendly Picnic Trains will run May 11 and Aug. 3 on the East Troy Electric Railroad. and the family pasta trains.
Picnic Train schedule
your own train!
The East Troy Railroad Museum offers private charters designed to meet your specific needs, from business lunches to anniversary parties. Last year we hosted more than 60 charters! Chartered trips may make stopovers with advanced planning. There are two parks along our route, plus the Elegant Farmer. You can customize your event by providing live entertainment, bringing your own special food, adding displays, giving business presentations, or just riding the rails. You can also choose from several luncheon or dinner menus developed specifically for our Charter Services. For special occasions, table arrangements may be reconfigured to accommodate musicians, wedding cakes, displays, or anything else you want. Just give us a call to work out the details. If more space is needed, other interurban coaches may be added to the train. Charters may be arranged to include any of our other vintage railcars. The railroad operates charters from mid-May through October and they may be arranged for any day of the week. Charters are two hours in length but can be extended for an additional charge. Docents aboard each train will also share the history of the railroad. For more information or to make reservations, email charters@ easttroyrr.org or call (262) 642-3263.
Volunteer of the Year -
TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
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Chas Kaiser
ach year at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch, one devoted volunteer is recognized with our “Volunteer of the Year” award. This recognition is given to one truly outstanding and inspiring volunteer who has taken a leadership role to preserve and enhance the museum while encouraging others to do the same. The 2018 award went to Charles “Chas” Kaiser, who served as our volunteer Executive Director and worked as a motorman or conductor practically every weekend. Chas literally kept the place running last year and returns again this year planning to spend less time in the office and more time on the railroad running trains and greeting guests. Chas was born and raised in Connecticut, where he learned to like trains – and airplanes. Here’s how he describes that time in his own words: “When I was four, my family rode the train to New York City to visit the circus and Christmas festivities at Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. My dad was a glassware salesman and used to take me with him to the local railroad station to pick up glassware samples when the Railway Express Agency was in business. However when I was three, I took my first airplane ride with the family on Eastern Airlines to Miami to visit the grandparents. I was allowed to go up front and meet the crew and that sealed my future career as a commercial pilot.” Chas served as a commercial pilot for 40 years, flying worldwide. His oldest brother is also a pilot and flies his own airplane for his business that he owns. Throughout
his high school years, Chas would often visit his hometown depot to watch the various freight and passenger trains go by while pursuing his flying career at the local airport. Though Chas is retired from flying, he’s never lost his love for trains, especially the history of American railroads. He and wife Vikki now call the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia home and travel around the country often visiting railroad museums and the National Parks. They have a small place in Wisconsin so they can be close to the railroad and their local Church. Chas has memberships to several railroad museums and subscribes to various railroad magazines to stay current with railroad news. Chas says his favorite thing about the railroad is welcoming the challenges of operations, working with the other volunteers, and learning from everyone’s individual talents to help continue to make this unique and historic railroad a fun and educational visit. “I’ve always had a place in my heart for railroads – especially the history of railroads,” he continued. “Everywhere I travel I try to visit the railroad museum in the area. My wife and I enjoy traveling by train when we have the opportunity.” According to East Troy Railroad Museum President Ryan Jonas, Chas was the overwhelming nominee for the award in 2018. “Chas Kaiser was chosen for this award because all our volunteers recognized the time and commitment he brings to the railroad,” Jonas said. “He’s exactly the kind of person this award was designed to recognize and celebrate.”
Memberships SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times
More than 500 people support the East Troy Electric Railroad through membership each year. Would you consider joining them? You would be supporting the museum, helping to assure that it can continue to show future generations what rail travel was like in the early 20th century. You would be providing funds to help us maintain our existing fleet of cars and pursue new acquisitions in the future. You would help to assure that this last remaining portion of Wisconsin’s once vast interurban system continues to showcase historic electric railroad cars that ran on
interurban systems in Wisconsin, Illinois or Minnesota. One-Year Individual Membership is $40. One-Year Family of Four Membership is $75 (each additional child is $12). All memberships include free rides for the member or member family for one year, plus reduced fares for special events (dinner trains, beer tasting and picnic trains not included). You also receive 10 percent off your gift shop purchases. If you would like to join, please ask for a membership form in the East Troy Depot or go to easttroyrr.org/membership.html.
Become a business or corporate sponsor The East Troy Railroad Museum encourages businesses to become sponsors for the museum. It’s a great way to promote your business among the 25,000 visitors we see each year. The sponsorships, which start at just $500, include packets of tickets to ride our regular trains. These can be given to employees, offered to customers, or given to lucky listeners, which is what WHAD does each year. At the $1,000 and $5,000 levels we will run a special chartered train on the date and time of your choice. We will promote your business in our literature and on our
website, which gets more than 500,000 views each year. “We value the relationships we have in the area and hope we bring value to area businesses by bringing people into East Troy and Mukwonago to ride our trains,” said East Troy Railroad President Ryan Jonas. “This is a way for a business to show support for the railroad while also promoting their business.” For more information – or to sign up as a sponsor – please contact Steve Thomas at sthomas@easttroyrr.org or call him at 414702-6257.
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Wisconsin Public Radio Station WHAD was the railroad’s first corporate sponsor.
Volunteer of the Year Charles “Chas” Kaiser (center) poses with a couple of the volunteer crewmembers he enjoys working with in East Troy. Jim Feyerherm is on the left and Jerry Borzych is on the right.
Why not join our volunteer family? For people who volunteer at the East Troy Railroad Museum, it feels like you become part of a second family. Only this family runs a railroad. And we need every member of the family to do his or her part to make it a smooth-running operation. It is challenging, it is fun, it is educational and you know your work is appreciated. Some volunteers can only give a couple of days a month and others may put in 150 days a year. Some want to work in areas where they bring experience and are comfortable with the tasks. Others want to be challenged by learning new skills and look forward to doing something completely different than what they do in their “day jobs.” The variety of tasks needed to operate a railroad and museum give people plenty of options. So let us know what interests you. From selling merchandise in the gift shop to being a motorman (woman) on our trains, there are many different kinds of people using many different kinds of skills here. What we all have in common, though, is a desire to see things happen. This is the motivation that brings us out to the line and keeps us coming back regularly. We all know that whatever our contributions, they are needed to keep this historic line alive and growing. Some of us will be singled out for recognition in the volunteer events throughout the year, but any of us would quickly tell you that we don’t do it for the cheers of our peers. We get all the gratification we need by simply accomplishing something we believe to be important and worthwhile. That’s how it is. We can see the need, and find it interesting and often fun to answer the call. On just about any weekend, we invite you to stop on out and visit the museum to talk with one or more of the volunteers about what it’s like to work here. Some interesting, involving, and rewarding tasks await you. Or call us at (262) 642- 3263 and ask about getting involved. See you out there!
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
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Be sure to check out the new East Troy Railroad Museum Calendar, which is for sale inside the gift shop at the East Troy Depot.
New East Troy Railroad Museum Calendar
339993
A new 12-month calendar, featuring photos from the East Troy Electric Railroad, is now available for purchase in the gift shop. The calendar is a bit unusual, because it starts in the month of May 2019 and runs through the month of April 2020. That way you’ll be able to enjoy the calendar during our operating season and through the months we are not operating. Then we hope to have a new calendar available for purchase in May of 2020. The calendar is fairly large and features very high quality printing. The photos are scenes at the railroad featuring our operating equipment and
volunteers. Evan Richards, one of our volunteers from McFarland, Wisconsin, designed the calendar. He also designed the East Troy Railroad Museum Guide available in the gift shop. Richards is retired from the University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering Center, where he worked for more than 35 years. Now he manages our dinner trains and charters at the railroad, while also serving on the marketing team. All proceeds from sales of the calendar and guidebook – along with profits from all the gift shop items – go to support the continuing operation of the railroad.
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
East Troy Railroad 2019 Dinner Trains BURGER TRAIN May 18 1/2-Pound Angus Burger with Trimmings
GOURMET 3-CHEESE MAC-N-CHEESE June 1 Cavatappi noodles, toppings of pulled pork, bacon, broccoli and mushrooms
FATHER’S DAY June 15 Bacon Wrapped Filet or Blackened Salmon
SURF ‘N’ TURF July 6 8oz Filet stuffed with Crab; plus Jumbo Shrimp
FAMILY PASTA NITE July 20 & Aug. 17 Family-Style Hand Rolled Italian Meatballs in Pomodoro Sauce
SUMMER DELIGHT Aug. 24 Baby Back Pork Ribs or Southern Sticky Chicken
INDIAN SUMMER Sept. 14 Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Pork Tenderloin or Pear Glazed Chicken Breast
OKTOBERFEST Sept. 28 Slowly Braised Beef Sauerbraten
FALL HARVEST Oct. 5 Beef Bourguinon or Orange Rustic Roughy
SWEETEST DAY Oct. 19 Beef Tenderloin or Blackened Salmon
SEASON FINALE! Oct. 26 Imported Elk, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Chocolate Soufflé
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Fine dining on the East Troy Railroad Since 1992, the East Troy Railroad Museum has been proud to offer elegant Dinner Train experiences to our guests from around the world. Our Dinner Trains take passengers on a two-hour journey over our picturesque line. Salads and appetizers are preset on tables as our guests board the train. Soon a delicious entrée is delivered to the tables, to be enjoyed while beautiful scenery passes by the picture windows. The Dinner Train travels past the Elegant Farmer stop and pauses along the shore of Lower Phantom Lake. Here, passengers hear a brief talk about the history of the line, the cars they are riding in and of course, the famous legend of Lower Phantom Lake! Sunsets across the lake are beautiful when viewed from this spot. When you come, we hope you’ll share your experience on social media. There should be a number of what we used to call “Kodak Moments,” both inside and outside the cars. It is not uncommon to see swans on the lake along with other birds. After visiting the lake, our train pulls across Highway ES and into Indianhead Park in Mukwonago. Here, guests are offered the chance to get off the train to stretch their legs, get some pictures and enjoy the park. After about
15 minutes, we re-board the train and head back to East Troy while enjoying dessert and coffee - or after dinner drinks. After all, we are in Wisconsin, so bar service is available! A common question we have received in the past is; “Can we bring our young child on the Dinner Train?” Our Dinner Trains are really designed for adults, but we have designed our Picnic Trains to be perfect for families with young children. See Page 4 to find out more about the Picnic Trains. About our dining cars Starting with two retired South Shore cars built in 1927, our volunteers completely remodeled them, stripping out the old seats and installing carpeting, tables, bars and a lot of custom mahogany woodwork. Both cars are decorated in the “art deco” style with Car 24 displaying more greens and Car 25 displaying more pinks. These cars were also outfitted with new picture windows and upgraded air conditioning systems. When it was time to name our two dining cars, the volunteers chose “Ravenswood” and “Beverly Shores,” representing two stations along the South Shore line, where these two cars stopped for nearly 60 years.
Wrapping up the season One new event for 2018 is our Season Finale! event planned for Oct. 26. This extra-special dinner train is designed to impress and please foodies and train lovers alike! Tasteful live music will
serenade you as you arrive at the depot. A very special menu will include amazing hors d’oeuvres, a crab martini salad course, mouthwatering imported elk accompanied by truffle mashed potatoes, sautéed asparagus, and fresh rolls. For dessert enjoy a dark chocolate soufflé, served
with Champaign berries and Grand Marnier soaked orange garnish. This will be the crèmede-la-crème event and you won’t want to miss it! The cost is $150 per person. For more information, please visit the Dinner Train page of our website at easttroyrr.org/dinnertrains. html.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Trolley Times
Above: In addition to fantastic food, beautiful scenery and sunsets are part of the trip. Top: Guests enjoy an elegant meal in the East Troy Railroad Museum’s Dining Cars. Special dining trains are scheduled throughout the season and are also available on a charter basis. For more information, visit easttroyrr.org.
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
History of the Everyone who rides on the East Troy Electric Railroad knows about the Elegant Farmer station stop. It’s been a popular destination for our passengers since the railroad started running historic trolleys in 1972. What you may not know is the history of the Elegant Farmer, which goes back much further. The Elegant Farmer began back in 1946 as a family dairy farm owned and operated by brothers Dave and Elmer Scheel. In addition to overseeing a herd of 50 Guernsey cattle, they sold their surplus fruits and vegetables on the busy corner of their farm property at Highway ES and J in Mukwonago. Business was brisk and a larger, permanent year-round roadside market was built in the early 50s. By 1958, the brothers decided to concentrate solely on their newly named Davelmer Market, and they sold the dairy herd. To encourage families to visit, the brothers pioneered the concept of pick-your-own strawberries on the 65-acre farm. In 1970, Elmer’s son Dan Scheel and his wife Karen took over the business and re-named it “The Elegant Farmer.” Over the next 26 years, The Elegant Farmer expanded its business by selling locally grown fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, introducing
Elegant Farmer
its famed Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag© and other baked goods leading to spectacular growth in the Farm Bakery, accompanied with the development of its Farm Kitchen, Deli and Produce sections. The pick-your-own selection currently includes apples, pumpkins, and squash. Today The Elegant Farmer provides its Apple Pie Baked In A Paper Bag and other baked goods to over 400 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and nationally online at www.elegantfarmer.com. With former owner Farmer Dan Scheel’s blessing, The Elegant Farmer passed to its third generation of owners in 2005 as longtime employees, John Bauer and Keith Schmidt took over the helm, along with John’s brother, Mike Bauer. Nowadays, this dynamic trio continues to offer the quality and traditions that The Elegant Farmer has been known for since the beginning: small town charm, simply the best foods, and loyal customer relationships. “We recognize the importance of continuing all of The Elegant Farmer’s traditions for generations to come,” says John Bauer. “The only thing we ever plan to change is to have people from all over America enjoy what our friends in Wisconsin have LISA SMITH Trolley Times enjoyed for years.” Harley Radtke, of Palmyra, bites into her juicy apple last fall at the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago.
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
2019 CAR ROSTER No.
Railway Company/City
Type
Built (rebuilt)
Builder
Seats
Received
Restored
6
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
Pullman Car Co.
54
2010
9
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
1926
Pullman Car Co.
54
1990
1993, 2015
13
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
1926 (1940s)
Pullman Car Co.
80
1998
2015
17
Milwaukee Street Railway
Horse Car
1880s
Unknown
2003
21
East Troy Electric Railroad
Single-truck Open Car
1975
ETER
45
1975
1985
23
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
1927
Pullman Car Co.
80
2010
24
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad * Restored as Diner No. 24 – The Beverly Shores
Steel Interurban Interurban Diner
1927 (1940s)
Pullman Car Co. ETER
80 50
1992 1992
1995* 1995
25
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad * Restored as Diner No. 25 - The Ravenswood
Steel Interurban Interurban Diner
1927 (1940s)
Pullman Car Co. ETER
80 50
1983 1983
1991* 1991
26
Sheboygan Light Power & Railway
Wooden Interurban
1908
Cincinnati Car Co.
44
1988
Est. 2005
30
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
1929
Standard Steel Car Co.
48
1983
1986
33
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Steel Interurban
1929
Pullman Car Co.
48
2010
2016
107
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Combine
1927
Pullman Car Co.
2010
203
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
Trailer
1927
Pullman Car Co.
2010
228
Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad
Merchandise Car
1922
Cincinnati Car Co.
1988
Est. 2005
761
Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
Steel Interurban
1930
Standard Steel Car Co.
2001
Est. 2005
846
Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. Streetcar
Double-truck Streetcar
1920
St. Louis Car Co.
48
2002
1986
978
Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. Streetcar
Double-truck Streetcar
1929
St. Louis Car Co.
48
2002
1583
Twin City Rapid Transit Company
1913 (1921)(1948)
TCRT
48
1981
1985
1738
Former Milwaukee Road now ETER
1956
1985
1985
4420
Chicago Elevated (CTA)
Rapid Transit Car 1924
Cincinnati Car Co.
52
1982
1985
4453
Chicago Elevated (CTA)
Rapid Transit Car
1924
Cincinnati Car Co.
52
1995
1999
D23
The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co.
Line Car
1907 (1929)
TMER&L
N/A
1989
1989, 2018
L6
The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co.
Utility Crane Car
1911 (1929)
St. Louis Car Co.
N/A
1988
1989
L8
The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co.
50-ton Steeplecab Loco.
1935
TMER&L
N/A
1989
1990
L9
The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Transport Co. Converted to East Troy Railroad Locomotive L9
50-ton Steeplecab Loco.
1944
TMER&T ETER
N/A
1988 1988
1990
13332
Soo Line (former Duluth South Shore & Atlantic)
Flat Car (Hobo Car)
1924
Pullman
1985
2002
Double-truck Streetcar Terminal Caboose
9
10
TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
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TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
Welcome to
11
East Troy! By Vanessa Lenz
East Troy Bluegrass Festival, Farmers Markets, Brewfest and Memorial Day Weekend Corn and Brat Roast. The East Troy Area If you journey to Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to East Troy. surrounding businesses, you’ll also find historic We’re so glad you’re here. sights, high quality dining, We know you’ll enjoy shops, a beautiful café, and your visit to the East everything you need for a Troy Electric Railroad, perfect day or night away. Wisconsin’s last original If you’re more of a nature electric railroad line. lover, East Troy will capture After your ride, we hope your heart with its striking you’ll extend your stay and waterfronts and flourishing return often to discover all of the great places to go and green space. Ten local lakes and three state natural areas things to do in the area. are all located within two There’s a lot to see and miles of downtown. do in our town. If you’re wondering where to start, I’d This list features tips on how to make the most of suggest taking a cue from your trip: what to see, what John McGivern. to do and insider secrets. When he visited East Troy to film his popular PBS For to-the-minute updates to help plan your visit, check show “Around the Corner out easttroy.org. with John McGivern,” our town topped his list of places to go that are chockfull of experiences to check off your bucket list. The Emmy Award-winning actor explored what it’s like to live, work and play like a local and narrowed down East Troy’s First the absolute must-do and Fridays Family Fun Night see East Troy places and activities. May 3 This includes catching East Troy’s First Fridays an outdoor show while surrounded by the signature event series will kick off with Family Fun Night on Friday, hills of the famous Alpine May 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Valley Music Theatre. East Troy Village Square When the temperatures Park, 2881 Main St. Join us are cooler, he suggests for a family-friendly night you grab your skis and snowboards to zip down the out featuring food, beverages, hills at Alpine Valley Resort. live music, and kids activities. A top bucket list item for For more information, visit easttroy.org. adventure enthusiasts is a visit to East Troy Municipal Airport, which houses 28th annual Community-Wide more than 100 aircraft and the adjacent Skydive Rummage Sale Milwaukee, which has been May 24-26 training jump students for 50 The East Troy Area years. Chamber of Commerce’s If you’ve ever wanted to feel the proverbial heartbeat 28th annual Community-wide Rummage Sale will return of East Troy, check out our most notable landmark, East Memorial Day Weekend. For a listing of the 50-plus rummage Troy Village Square Park, sales, visit easttroy.org after which has a long history as the backdrop for community May 22. For more information, events like the 26th annual visit easttroy.org. EAST TROY CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Calendar of Events
43rd Annual Corn & Brat Roast May 24-27 The East Troy Chamber will host its 43rd annual Corn & Brat Roast featuring roasted sweet corn, brats, hot dogs, burgers, soda and beer, as well as live entertainment on Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
East Troy Brewfest May 26 East Troy’s Brewfest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St., featuring unlimited samples of over 45 craft beers and micro brews from area breweries. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 27 American Legion LoomisMartin Post 188 will host a Memorial Day Parade beginning at 10:30 a.m., ending at East Troy Village Square Park with a ceremony. For more information, call (262) 470-4694.
First Fridays Food Truck Fest June 7
SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times
A stormtrooper competes in East Troy’s Slow Ride Bike Race during the East Troy Cycling Classic, part of the Tour of America’s Dairyland. The action-packed criterium style race will return on Friday, June 21 to the East Troy Village Square and surrounding streets, allowing spectators to see cyclists whiz past every three minutes. (Photo by Sarah Manke)
fresh homemade bakery, famous barbeque and hot dog plates. For more information, call (262) 642-2326.
Graydon Ave. Fireworks – July, 6 at dark; Parade – July, 7 at noon. For more information, visit easttroylions.org.
East Troy Cycling Classic
First Fridays Splash into Summer
Friday, June 21 The Tour of America’s Dairyland, the largest competitive cycling event in the U.S., will make a stop in East Troy during day two of the 11-day race series. Hosted by the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, along with The Dennis and Janice Klumb Family Foundation, the event features live music, beer tent, food trucks, kids race and more. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
East Troy’s First Fridays event series will continue with Food Truck Fest on Friday, June 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St. Come tempt your taste buds with this mix of the area’s best food trucks Lions Fourth of July Celebration and East Troy restaurant vendors. For more information, July 4-7 visit easttroy.org. East Troy Lions Club will hosts East Troy’s Fourth of July Celebration July 4-7, Arts & Craft Fair featuring the East Troy Beer June 8 Tent, truck & tractor pulls, The GFWC Women’s Club carnival rides, games, fair food and live entertainment of East Troy will host its Arts & Craft Fair on Saturday, June at Rossmiller Sports Complex and Skate Park 8 at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St., featuring (fka Amusement Park), 3090
July 5 East Troy’s First Fridays event series will continue with Splash into Summer on Friday, July 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St. Dive right into summer with a party featuring inflatables, a DJ, yard games and kids water fun zone. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
Corn & Brat Roast-Knights of Columbus July 26-28 The Knights of Columbus will host a Corn & Brat Roast at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St., featuring brats, hamburgers, roasted sweet corn and live music. For more information, call (262) 642-5198.
First Fridays Square Fest Aug. 3 East Troy’s First Fridays event series will continue with Square Fest from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3 at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St. The event will feature live music on the Square and in surrounding businesses, food vendors, kids crafts, and East Troy’s First Fridays Beer Tent. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles Aug. 10 East Troy will host its second Planes, Trains & Automobiles event on Saturday, Aug. 10 bringing a fun filled and action packed day to town. The event will kick off with the Friends of the East Troy Airport’s open house & pancake breakfast fly-in from 7-11 a.m. featuring an assortment of vintage, homebuilt and certified aircraft and car show. From there attendees can SUBMITTED PHOTO Trolley Times The Poor Boys perform at East Troy Village Square Park during East Troy’s First Fridays Food Truck Fest, which head to the East Troy Fire will return June 7. The series, hosted by the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, will return in May through Department’s Open House featuring demos, games, November of 2019. For more information, visit easttroy.org. (Photo by Dither Studio)
food and firetruck rides (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) then explore a variety of antique trolleys and interurban coaches at the East Troy Electric Railroad (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and finish the day with vintage and muscle cars at Gus’s Drive-In Cruise Night (4 p.m.). For more information, visit easttroy.org.
First Fridays ET’s Got Talent Sept. 6 East Troy’s First Fridays event series will continue on Friday, Sept. 6 from 5-8 p.m. with ET’s Got Talent at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St. A stage awaits anyone who can work up the courage. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
East Troy Bluegrass Festival Sept. 7-8 The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 26th annual Bluegrass Festival at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St. The event features top Bluegrass bands, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar competitions, gospel music service, food and craft vendors. $10 weekend wristbands. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
First Fridays OcTROYber Fest Oct. 4 East Troy’s First Fridays event series will continue on Friday, Oct. 4 from 5-8 p.m. with OcTROYber Fest. This family-friendly party will include Polka music, a dance floor, beer tasting and competitions, including stein-holding and a costume contest. There will also be German-style fare for sale. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
First Fridays Art Walk Nov. 1
Enjoy downtown East Troy, while you sample unique wine selections and cheese pairings by Hill Valley Dairy and enjoy local artist showcases from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. For more information, visit easttroy. org.
12
TROLLEY TIMES • 2019
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