The depot is open, its historic cars are cleaned and polished, the long winter has come to an end, and the East Troy Electric Railroad kicked off its 2021 season April 24.

Trains will depart on the hour from the East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., on Saturdays starting at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sundays, there will be three trains at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Trains run every Saturday and Sunday through the first weekend in November. Trains will run three times a day on Fridays starting May 28.

"Because we are still dealing with COVID-19 concerns, we ask that you visit our website and purchase tickets ahead of time for a specific train. Capacity is limited to allow for social distancing and masks are required per Federal regulations. Also, trains will only board new passengers at the East Troy Depot, though you will be able to get off the trains to shop at the Elegant Farmer," the railroad said.

The East Troy Electric Railroad operates the last 7 miles of original track from The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company interurban system, which had 200 miles of track in and around Milwaukee. For more than 50 years, trains left from the Public Service Building at 3rd and Michigan in Milwaukee and whisked passengers to and from cities and towns throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Port Washington, Burlington, Sheboygan, Watertown, Kenosha, Racine and East Troy.

The Public Service Building is now part of the We Energies headquarters -- the company that emerged from the original Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company. The tracks are gone, except between East Troy and Mukwonago, where you can still experience what it was like to ride electric interurban trains in Wisconsin.

Prices for the round-trip rides are $9.50 for kids, $15 for adults, and $12.50 for seniors. One round trip takes approximately 90-minutes. Trains stop at the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, which is a popular spot for farm-fresh produce, cheese, and the famous Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag. The trains are heated and there are restrooms inside the East Troy Depot. 

For a full schedule and special event details visit www.easttroyrr.org.    

ABOUT THE EAST TROY RAILROAD         

The East Troy Railroad Museum operates 14-mile round trip excursions from its historic East Troy depot and museum to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago, with a stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli.

This year the railroad is celebrating 114 years of electric railroading through Southeast Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine countryside. This 501(c)(3) not-for-profit railroad museum is operated and managed by over 140 volunteers dedicated to engaging visitors in the heritage of electric interurban railways and trolley systems. For more information, visit www.easttroyrr.org or call (262) 642-3263.