Riverside and Great Northern Railroad - Wisconsin Dells, WI
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Go Boilers!
N 43° 38.505 W 089° 47.436
16T E 274920 N 4835868
Ride a live steam trains along a 3 mile roadbed winding through scenic canyons, beautiful wooded areas, and majestic rock cuts beside the Dells of the Wisconsin River.
Waymark Code: WM90D3
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 06/08/2010
Views: 13
From Wikipedia:
The railroad was started in Janesville, Wisconsin, as a demonstration railroad for Sandley locomotives. In 1952 the Sandleys were forced from Riverside Park, where they were running. Elmer and Norman (father and son) Sandley relocated to the former right-of-way of the Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad, which was abandoned in favor of a route with a smoother grade 500 feet (152 m) to the west.
The Sandleys built their factory, a replica and C&NW depot (scaled down), and a train line to demonstrate their products. They built about 15 locomotives and over 30 pieces of rolling stock. Trains that once ran at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and the Knoxville Zoo were produced at the Dells facility. The locomotives and rolling stock currently running at the Milwaukee Zoo were made here as well.
In the early 1980s, new locomotive and rolling stock orders dropped off and Norman was forced into bankruptcy. The train ride closed as well. In the early 1990s a group of enthusiasts began working to purchase the property. The Preservation Group was formed, and members began replacing ties and repairing buildings, but they still had to find a train. One of the groups members had built a diesel locomotive and this was traded to the Milwaukee Zoo for the #82 steam locomotive, which had not been running as was on display. #82 is still owned by the society. The society has since acquired another steam locomotive, the #98, from the Old Wakarusa Railroad in Indiana. Both locomotives were built at the Wisconsin Dells shop facility in the 1950s, with #98 being originally the motive power for the Hoot, Toot & Whistle Miniature Steam Railway near Elgin, IL.
Open from April 1 to Nov 30
Summer hours:
April 1 to Memorial Day Weekend - Open Saturday and Sunday at 9:30. Trains run at 10 am, 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Gauge of railway: 15 inch
Engine Type: Live Steam
Miniature Railroads Web Page: [Web Link]
Public Availability: Seasonal
Ride Fee: Yes
If Yes: $12 adults, $8 children
Entrance Fee: No
If There is an Additional Fee: 0
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Visit Instructions:Provide a picture of something with the train or related to the train. Possible photos include the train itself at any location along the route, a picture of the scenery with part of the train in view, the kids borrowing the engineer’s hat or of a family member with one of the miniature r.r. crossing signs. Show us you had a good time visiting the train. If the train isn't running when you visit get a photo of one of the miniature railway related items that can be found in locations like this