RAILS TO VICTORY 2023 WW2 Event

361 South LaFox Street,South Elgin IL 60177

09 June, 2023

Description

Reenactors of all WWII impressions are invited to join us for the 13th annual “Rails to Victory” WWII Reenactment at the Fox River Trolley Museum in the Village of South Elgin. In 2023, we plan to showcase participating WW2 units through an expanded Trolley Adventure. New this year, we are adding pre-ride camp tours to our passengers before they board the trolleys. We shall lead museum guests on a tour of the encampment where by participating units may offer a short 5-7 minute history talk, demo, or skit about the history of their unit. The presentation format is up to the unit to decide. For units who are more daring, we are also offering trolley stops along our trolley route where by the trolley will stop to view your unit present a short WW2 skit, tableau, and/ or skirmish designed to immerse our passengers in history. The annual bridge battle will also take place during the Trolley adventure runs twice a day. There are a limited number of Camp Tour presentation slots and Trolley Adventure stops which shall be assigned as units register. Early registration is recommended to secure your trolley stop or encampment demo/talk. Please contact the Trolley Adventure Coordinator ([email protected])for Trolley Stops or the Camp Tour Coordinator ([email protected]) for a Camp Tour stop. Period Civilians who wish to ride on the trolleys with our Trolley Adventure passengers, please contact our Civilian Coordinator ([email protected]). On Saturday evening, there will be a Rockford Peaches game that all are invited to attend as period fans; such as soldiers home on leave and civilians on the Home Front. Then, later that night we are organizing a brand new activity exclusively for reenactors participating in the event; A WW2 Murder Mystery. Reenactors will be able participate in this “Who Done It?” activity directly from the comfort of the encampment. Rails to Victory's goal is to immerse our patrons in WW2 during the Trolley Adventure rides along the museum's beautiful three mile trolley route along the Fox River, during which reenactors are able to interact with patrons in first person on board the trolleys and in view of the trolley audiences from several skit locations along the trolley route. Period Civilians who wish to ride on the trolleys with our Trolley Adventure passengers, please contact our Civilian Coordinator Kathryn Westberg at [email protected] . We invite outgoing units to adopt a Trolley Stop and develop a short 3-5 minute skirmish, demo, skit, or other historical offering that highlights the history of your unit and the war. Think of it as Rockford Event Style Town and Woods skirmishes and skits, except the audience comes to you by trolley. Home Front and Civilians are also encouraged to jump in on this as well such as; medical demos and WAC displays, to Land Girls and USO presentations. To reserve a Trolley Stop, or Sign up for an Encampment Talk please mark so when completing your on-line registration. Additionally, please contact the Trolley Adventure Coordinator, Bob Hodill, at [email protected] ; or for the Encampment Tour Demos/Talks, Rebecca Tulloch, at [email protected] . Over the years, Rails to Victory has received numerous compliments from patrons commenting on how they just love the 1st person interactions and memories. With your participation, we hope to create even more. *All Reenactors must be Registered prior to event. *Registration: FREE ON-LINE Registration through June 7, 2023. Camp Amenities: Flush Toilets on site. Camp sites are assigned on a first come first served bases. Event Times:- Friday, June 9th: Reenactor check-in, 4pm to 9 pm.;- Saturday, June 10th: Reenactor check-in, 8 am to 9:15am;- Sunday, June 11th: Reenactor check-in, 9am to 9:50am;- Daily morning formations and S&A Check In;- Museum Opens at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday;- Visit the Event Web Site for Additional event details (schedules, maps, and updates). Website: http://www.railstovictory.com Authenticity Notes: HRS safety and authenticity rules apply. Invited Vehicles/Items:  All WWII vehicles including tracked vehicles are welcome, weather conditions permitting; tracked vehicles may be limited to the gravel road and battle field.  Smaller vehicles such as Jeeps, Motorcycles, Kubels & Lightweight Trucks may drive on the grassy areas. Boats and other period water crafts such rafts are also welcome on the Fox River, but should contact us first prior to bringing out. River depth is only 2-3 feet in the vicinity of the museum. Restrictions on Minors: HRS Rules Other restrictions: All participants must go through Check-In when arriving at the event. All are required to attend Safety and Authenticity. No alcoholic beverages permitted in the Museum and County Park. No digging, but camp fires are allowed in above pits and military stoves and grills. Firing weapons of any kind in the encampment area is prohibited. Additionally all weapons are prohibited in the Forest Preserve ; but approved in the designated battlefield/skirmish locations along the Trolley Route. Dogs attending must be muzzled while on property. Motels: Accommodations available in nearby Elgin and St. Charles Illinois: Hampton Inn, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites and West Dundee's Marriott International-Courtyard & Towne Place Suites; and in St. Charles: Best Western, Country Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Geneva Motel, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Baker, and Super 8. Restaurants: There are eating establishments with in a very easy walk of the museum ranging in variety from hot dogs to pizza.Sponsoring Unit(s): US10th Mtn LHDG, 3rd Gebirgsjaeger Division, and Feldgendarmerietrupp 353