Milwaukee Day at East Troy Railroad

On Saturday, Aug. 3, the East Troy Electric Railroad will feature historic Milwaukee railroad equipment and family-friendly activities designed to put smiles on the faces of kids from two to 92. Take a train ride on an historic Milwaukee streetcar or a coach that ran between Milwaukee and Chicago. Alderman Bob Bauman, from Milwaukee, will speak at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. about the early years of the museum in East Troy (where he was a young volunteer from 1978 to 1982) and also about his work to develop a new Milwaukee streetcar line (The Hop). North Shore Car 228 – the Railroad's latest restoration project – will also be on display.

Kids of all ages will enjoy a concert and sing-along from the Plinkers Ukulele group, performing railroad-related songs starting at 1 p.m. Free popcorn and balloon animals will be available for everyone in the Depot throughout the day.

During Milwaukee Day, you’ll experience what it was like to ride streetcars and interurban trains in and around of Milwaukee 100 years ago. Electric interurban trains were a very common way to travel between cities before the automobile became affordable and roads were improved for travel. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children and $13.50 for seniors. Children 2 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance for specific departures. Walk-up tickets are also available for most trains.

The East Troy Electric Railroad operates on 7 miles of track that has been in continuous operation for 117 years. The first train from Milwaukee arrived in East Troy in December of 1907. The Village of East Troy purchased the line between East Troy and Mukwonago in 1939 and operated the railroad as a freight line for many years. Tourist trains started running 1972 on the only remaining electric interurban railroad in the state of Wisconsin. The 2024 operating season extends from April through October.

The East Troy Railroad Museum is located at 2002 Church St. in East Troy, Wisconsin, approximately 15 miles north of Lake Geneva via Highway 120 and 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee via I-43. When traveling to East Troy from Milwaukee on I-43, please use the Highway 120 exit, since the Highway 20 exit is under construction.