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Fox River Trolley Museum Part 2 5/19/2018

The track crew boarded me on CP Rail track speeder 7700-12 and I sat on the engine cover so photography would be easy as we travelled down the line of the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company. After a brief safety meeting, we were on our way.

We went to the first switch into the yard.

Passing the museum's equipment.

We stopped before the second switch as we had to move a cardboard trailer off the mainline. Our crew aligned the switch, my operator moved the trailer down the track to the switch and with the switch thrown, the operator cleared the mainline.

Another brief stop before the final yard switch then the cones were moved off the track so they were ours to use and we took off.

Passing by a pair of roof frames that were along the tracks.

Scenes along the journey.

Signals and other railway-related items on display at Woodcliff.

Crossing a steel stringer bridge built in 1906 over an un-named creek.

Paralleling an access road.

The Canadian National Railway bridge came into view ahead.

This bridge was once the Illinois Central's Chicago-to-Iowa line.

We came to the junction of the connection track to the former Illinois Central.

The connection track yard.

Here we left the tracks of the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company and entered the Forest Preserve, who put in new tracks for the Fox River Trolley Museum.

Proceeding to Blackhawk.

The switch for Blackhawk.

The Blackhawk station came into view and we stopped for photographs.

CP Rail track speeder 7700-12. We then started the return trip.

We left the station at Blackhawk behind.

A former gravel pit filled with water.

Returning onto the tracks of the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company.

A grab shot of the former connection track to the former Illinois Central, where we stopped for more photographs.

The 527 foot Warren deck truss bridge across the Fox River built in 1921.

These rocks inside of the culvert on the connection track resembled Lucy of Charlie Brown fame.

Leaving the Canadian National Railway bridge behind.

Passing the flag stop of Woodcliff.

Someone has a good sense of humour. All too soon we returned to our starting point and I thanked the speeder crew for letting me ride, then I walked to the crew of the diesel and said goodbye, thanking them also.

I drove south on Illinois Highway 31 and stopped at A&W for lunch then drove the Interstate 88 Tollway to the Interstate 294 Tollway to Interstate 55 to Cicero Boulevard and Illinois Highway 50 back to the rental car center. After turning in the car, I rode the shuttle bus back to Midway Airport and went through security who lost my shoe for about five minutes, then held my bag for ten minutes before it was returned to me with no reason given. I had two char dogs from Gold Coast that put me in a great mood then called home before making my way to Gate 4B for my flight to Las Vegas and checked e-mail. Once done I walked over to the gate and waited.

This flight was over clouds so I did Sudoku puzzles to pass the time.

While this flight was going to Santa Ana, the city is not small, so it was a complete surprise to learn the gentleman sitting beside me lived on French Street, seven-tenths of a mile way from my street. I called Elizabeth when I landed and found Robin ready and waiting at the curb to drive me home, ending an excellent and fantastic trip to Illinois.

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