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player ready...Calling it the 2018 version of “The Little Engine That Could,” Fox Valley Trolley Museum volunteers said they will hold an open house at the South Elgin museum this weekend so the public can see the damage believed done by two juvenile vandals.
“It won’t be anything fancy but I can promise each and every person will get a guided tour of the damage and of the car barn,” said Jeff Bennett, chief car officer for the museum.
Police announced Monday that two boys, ages 11 and 13, had been arrested and charged with breaking into the museum at 365 S. LaFox St. during the Fourth of July week and shattering glass windows on eight of the museum’s historic trolley cars. Damage has been estimated at more than $100,000.
Museum officials described the incident as “the most difficult challenge in its 57-year history” in a news release announcing the weekend open house.
There is “lots of damage, particularly to car 458 from the Chicago Aurora and Elgin (railway). Operations continuing despite damage,” the release said.
The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
An online fundraising campaign has raised more than $16,000, and museum volunteers hope they will receive more this weekend.
“The museum sees this as a thank you, a call for additional donations and as a call for potential shop crew volunteers to work on repairs and renovation,” the release said.
Volunteers will lead tours, answer questions and work with those who would like to volunteer their time to the museum.
The museum sits on the last remnants of the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric interurban (inter-city) electric railway, which once linked Carpentersville with Yorkville. The museum has owned the property since 1972.