Ok gang…promotion at work is sending me to Madison for 6 weeks, looking for interesting suggestions…
It’s a hike, but there’s some stuff to see at New Freedom … worth the drive in my estimation. Short hop to see WSOR stuff in Janesville, though it’s not especially tourist friendly. National RR Museum in Green Bay, again a hike, but they have everything from a Big Boy to the Ely Thomas #6 shay. There’s some kind of mini-train place in the Dells, not too far from Madison – never been there, but it’s supposed to be interesting, assuming it’s still there. Also a mini train in Fenmore, with a 30" gauge locomotive they’re using as their representation of the “dinky” that once served the town… in actuality it’s a Godchaux sugar engine that’s had several different wheel configurations in its lifetime.
That can get you started. (I never lived there, but had a brother in Edgerton, WI who I used to visit …)
Matthew (OV)
OH. And, depending on when it starts, keep your eyes open for “Rail Days” in Edgerton and … um … Whitewater … often using Soo 1003 (2-8-2) or WSOR’s E units (they have a BL2 as well…but I’m not sure it’s serviceable.)
Aw, crud. 1003’s on it’s 1472 … http://www.sooline1003.com/ so much for that idea.
Oh, and before I forget… consider a ride out to the East Troy Electric… http://www.easttroyrr.org/
Bart, you might travel south, and hit the Illinois railroad Museum, in Union, IL… http://www.irm.org/
And if you do that, St Aubin’s isn’t far away. Just don’t expect anyone there to be polite to you in the store.
Wow Union is actually closerthan the other two…but still a out a 2 hour drive…hmmmmthree of the four weekends covered…
Union really gives you a lot of variety - from steam, to diesel to street cars to buses. you can’t take it all in in one day!
Get a cheese head novelty hat while there!
Well, not so far to drive, but not exactly railroad related… http://www.ehlenbachscheese.com/
(http://www.ehlenbachscheese.com/images-local/home_image.gif)
At least you won’t go hungry.
Don’t forget the circus museum at Baraboo (sp) Wisconsin. It’s quite close to the RR museum at New Freedom for a "double header. It’s been some years since I visited either museum but New Freedom had a scad of equipment undergoing restoration when I was there and the circus museum had well over a hundred or more fully restored circus wagons of all types. The circus museum featured a one ring circus act in a tent and a demonstration of loading and unloading wagons from RR flatcars with horses. I do hope these two museums are still in operation as they were real jewels.
Maybe someone has been there recently and can give their current status. Well worth the time if they’re still going.
found the link:
http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/
One other thing you’ll like , Bart, …New Freedom (Mid-Continent, as linked by Richard…) does have one Shay, not operational: http://www.mcrwy.com/collectn/steam/gl9.html
I always thought it was interesting because of the outward sloping cylinders … I can’t find anyplace that it was originally 3’ gauge, so I’m not sure why. It’s actually in a lot better shape now than the last time I saw it.
I don’t know much about railroading in the area, but you MUST go to a Culver’s for a Butter Burgher and Ice Cream 
I got sent to Madison once for work. Spent a free afternoon wandering around the outskirts looking for trains. Came across an old box-car inside an office type building. I wandered around inside for 15 minutes and never saw a soul.
And if you are looking for some ‘HOT STUFF’ Bart you could try here:
It is just outside Madison I believe. lol
Bart,
What are the dates of when you are going to be there?
Fly out on Sept 11, three weeks there, home for a weekend thn back out theremfor three more weeks…
Watch for email.
Jon Radder said:
I don't know much about railroading in the area, but you [b]MUST[/b] go to a Culver's for a Butter Burgher and Ice Cream :DI got sent to Madison once for work. Spent a free afternoon wandering around the outskirts looking for trains. Came across an old box-car inside an office type building. I wandered around inside for 15 minutes and never saw a soul.
And now, the discussion about the difference between ice cream and frozen custard (eggs, I think… but the taste discussion can go on for days!)
Yeah, what he said … eat there!
I forgot is was Frozen Custard, but your right Matt All I know it sure was good.
Ric Golding said:Does it have train porn attached?
Watch for email.