East Troy Museum Tour with Dinner Outing
The IEEE Madison Section, in collaboration with IEEE Chicago and Milwaukee Sections is sponsoring a dinner trip on the East Troy Electric Railroad. The 7.5 mile ETRR is the only remaining segment of a once extensive electric interurban system that radiated from Milwaukee to Sheboygan, Watertown, Burlington, Waukesha and Kenosha. This is an opportunity to experience travel a century ago when an interurban electric network of nearly 50,000 miles covered America, providing transportation to many small towns not served by the conventional rail network. The cars were heavy and well-sprung to minimize rough riding at speeds of 70 mph on often poor roadbed.
In addition to a dinner served in two air-conditioned 1927 ex-Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee interurban cars, we will have the opportunity to visit the car barn where several vintage streetcars and interurbans are undergoing restoration. While the 600v. DC power is now supplied via solid-state rectifiers, the original rotary converter substation is in the depot. The station is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.
The ride is through bucolic countryside, to its eastern termination in Mukwonago at the Elegant Farmer. A fully-stocked cash bar is available on board.
Departure is 5PM; return about 7PM, with the car barn tour starting at 4PM.
Location: 2002 Church Street, East Troy, WI. Ample parking available.
Fare: $75 (Madison IEEE Section Members and one guest get a $35 discount)
LIMITED to 50 people -- Please sign up promptly. (Note a minimum of 30 must sign up to run this tour).
About the Museum:
The 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!
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. Donations are welcome.
Dinner Menu
Dinner: Housemade Meatloaf,
Garlic Mashed Potatoes with bacon gravy
Seasonal Vegetable
Dinner Rolls, butter
Dessert
Lemon Bars
Dark Roast Regular & Decaf Coffee or Hot Tea served with cream and sugar
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 10 Aug 2023
- Time: 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM
- All times are (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
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Add Event to Calendar
- 2002 Church Street
- East Troy, Wisconsin
- United States 53120
- Contact Event Host
- Co-sponsored by Milwaukee, Rockford and Chicago Sections
- Starts 17 July 2023 10:18 AM
- Ends 08 August 2023 10:18 AM
- All times are (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
- Admission fee ?
- Menu: Madison Section, Other Sections
Agenda
4:00 PM: Car Barn Tour
5:00 PM Board the Dining Car and depart
7:00 PM. Return to the start