Rails to Victory WW2 Reenactment

Event Details

Celebrating our 15th year, RAILS TO VICTORY 2025 is rolling out of the station this summer the weekend of June 6th - 8th. Rails To Victory is a WWII Living History Reenactment and Encampment, hosted by the Fox River Trolley Museum and the WWII Historical Re-enacting Society. "Papers Please!"

Ride the WWII Trolley Adventure into History, a two hour long theatrical experience where by passengers are transported back into time when America was at war alongside our Allies to defeat the tyranny of the Axis Powers.

Prior to boarding the trolleys, passengers will be guided on a tour of the military encampment where they will hear stories of the history of the various units attending the reenactment. From the encampment, passengers will then board the trolleys to experience scenes from the war years depicting battles, resistance insurgencies, civilian homefront activities and much more. On board the trolleys, all passengers will need to have their papers (provided with your ticket) inspected by our period German Police and Reichsbahn (German Railway) conductors. These performances are family friendly; however, not recommended for very young children who may be upset by loud noises, theatrical gun fire, and battle scenes.

There will be two daily departures on Saturday and Sunday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Tickets can be purchased on the Fox River Trolley Museum website at www.foxtrolley.org

Before and after your ride, feel free to walk to the military encampment and talk to the soldiers and period civilians, one on one, learning about the equipment, vehicles and weapons used in the war.

Period Rockford Peaches Ball Game

In addition to Trolley Adventure and Camp Tours, the Rockford Peaches will be playing a ball game on Saturday evening where visitors can cheer on the famous Rockford Peaches.

WWII Re-Enactors

WW2 Reenactors belonging to the Historical Reenactment Society (HRS), Tactical Studies Group/Living History Reenactment Association (LHRA), the WWII Girls Baseball Living History League, or other approved and recognized WW2 reenacting groups are invited to participate in this event by registering for the event on our reenactor registration page. Reenactor Registration Details

About

The Fox River Trolley Museum is a railroad museum in the Village of South Elgin, Illinois. The museum maintains a collection of 30 antique electric trolleys, railroad cars, and locomotives which range in construction dates from 1887 to 1959. The Museum operates a heritage railroad over a 4-mile stretch of tracks along the banks of the senic Fox River.

The WWII Historical Re-enactment Society 'HRS' is an organization of over 1200 members from the US, Canada, and Europe. The mission of the HRS is to bring the history of World War Two to life with public displays, simulated battle, participation in parades, and a variety of other community activities. The HRS strives to honor and preserve the memory of those who served in World War Two, as well as preserve the artifacts of that period. The society focuses entirely on the military history of World War Two and has no sympathy for the ideology of nazism or fascism, and such beliefs are not welcome at HRS sponsored events.

Event Hours

Trolley Adventure

Advance Tickets for Trolley Adventure

Museum Address

Event Details

Period Rockford Peaches Ball Game

WWII Re-Enactors