After a great breakfast, Dave Smetko and I drove north into Wisconsin to East Troy. We arrived at the station and parked.
East Troy Railroad MuseumThe East Troy Railroad Museum operates on the last remaining piece of the original interurban network which operated in Wisconsin. By 1939, the railroad was retired by The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company due to lack of ridership. Since everything from gas to groceries came in to East Troy by our line, the town passed a referendum to purchase the remaining 7.5 mile stretch of track and overhead for freight purposes. The Village of East Troy operated the railroad until the year 2000 when it was purchased by the Friends of East Troy Railroad. Today, the East Troy Electric Railroad has 32 pieces of equipment with over 500 members worldwide, 110 active volunteers and 15,000 visitors each year! With your support, we can fulfill our mission to keep the trolley history alive for generations to come!
Step back in time when life was a little simpler. Our historic rail cars travel a 10-mile trip through beautiful Southeast Wisconsin. Board at either the depot in East Troy or at The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago. Meander through the depot museum where kids can be a trolley motorman, discover the joy of model layouts and learn about electricity. The gift shop features a unique selection of railroad souvenirs for all ages.
Delight your tastebuds at Lauber's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor next to the depot or enjoy a delicious meal at Ivan's on the Square in East Troy.
The East Troy Electric Railroad is a not-for-profit 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 this museum. Your contributions are tax deductible as permitted by law.
The Wisconsin Official Marker for the East Troy Railroad.
Union Refrigerator Transit refrigerator car 37004, leased to the Milwaukee Road, built by General American in 1948.
The East Troy former Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company substation, now a museum and gift shop.
We walked down to the car barn.
Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company Street Car 846 built by the St Louis Car Company in 1920.
Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company 50-ton steeplecab locomotive L-8 built by the company in 1935.
Twin Cities Rapid Transit double truck streetcar 1583 built by the company in 1921.
The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company line car D-23 built by the railway in 1927.
East Troy Electric Railroad single truck open car 21 built by the railroad in 1975 as a reproduction of an 1890's style open streetcar.
Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Diner 24 "Beverly Shores" built by the Pullan Company in 1927 and rebuilt into a diner in 1940 by East Troy Electric Railroad.
Sheboygan Light Power and Railway wooden interurban 26 built by the Cincinnati Car Company in 1908.
Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company utility crane car L-6 built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1911.
Chicago, South Shore and South Bend steel interurban 9 built by the Pullman Company in 1926.
Chicago, South Shore and South Bend steel interurban 13 built by the Pullman Company in 1926.
Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad 761 Steel Interurban built by the Standard Steel Car Company in 1930. This car was part of the consist of the last North Shore Line train when the operation ceased on January 20, 1963.
Chicago Elevated 4420 {CTA} Rapid Transit Car built by the Cincinnati Car Company in 1924.
Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Diner 25 "Ravenswood" built by the Pullman Company in 1927.
Chicago Elevated {CTA} Rapid Transit Car 4453 built by the Cincinnati Car Company in 1924.
Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad steel interurban 30 built by the Standard Steel Car Company in 1929.
East Troy Electric Railroad Equipment.
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Steel Interurban 21 built by the Pullman Car Company in 1927.
Car barn scene.
Interior of one of the dining cars used on their dinner trips.
Interior of car 26.
The original Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company station built in 1920 and now a residence. I then walked back to the East Troy station and started working on this story up to this point, finishing it. We heard the toot of a whistle and set up for our next set of pictures.
Out came Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad car 30 for display today. Dave bought our tickets while I went back to the Car Barn for a little more information about three pictures. After exploring the interior of the East Troy station, I heard another toot then Dave and I set up for the car we would be riding today.
Our car would be Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company 1583 which arrived at the station boarding area.
After this picture, we boarded.
The interior of the car. Good friend Bob Gallegos joined us for our ride this morning.
Leaving East Troy station.
View along our route in the rain.
The switch to the old East Troy industries.
Views along our route.
A view from the trolley.
Views as we made our way east.
A rural grade crossing.
The siding at the Main Substation.
Views of the Wisconsin countryside.
Views along our route this late morning.
Our trolley has reached Lake Beulah siding.
These steps once took people from the trolley to Lake Beulah.
The Lake Beulah siding.
Our route took us under this bridge.
Views on a very wet late morning.
We went through this switch to reach the Elegant Farmer station.
We arrived at the Elegant Farmer station.
East Troy Electric Railroad has a car barn just east of the here.
Thing 1 & 2 were aboard the trolley.
Future trackage to ride aboard their dinner train service.
Elegant Farmer station.
Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company 1583. As the trolley started to move for our trip back, I called the Let's Talk Trains show and told them about our adventure here.
A home on a water tower.
Weather conditions improved on the return trip.
Our trolley went through the spring switch to go around the outbound car, Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company Streetcar 846, at the Army Lake siding.
Passing Car 846 at Army Lake Siding.
Army Lake Siding.
The line to the former industries in East Troy. We returned to the East Troy station and said goodbye to Bob Gallegos before Dave and I made our way to Rockford, our next stop on today's adventure. We stopped at a KFC for my lunch and Burger King for Dave.
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