'The Varsity' Nickel Plate No. 765 train-watching guide

on Monday, June 6, 2016

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A Wisconsin & Southern freight passes the former Milwaukee Road depot at Walworth, Ill. Mike Gramm photo

Steam is coming back to Wisconsin later this month, with former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 powering an excursion, dubbed "The Varsity," to Janesville on June 12. Now, I'm a transplant to Wisconsin, and haven't spent much time on the Wisconsin & Southern's Illinois extension, because much of the regular traffic runs overnight. So I've enlisted the help of local railfan Mike Gramm to fill in some of the details for railfans looking to make the most of the one-day event:

"Let’s start at the Fox Lake Metra station… If you decide that’s where you want to get your first glimpse of No. 765 it could be your last. Route 12 out of Fox Lake goes down to one lane each way and will be choked with both railfans and every resident of Fox Lake who will come out to watch; it will likely become a parking lot.

A Wisconsin & Southern freight approaches Hilltop Road near Zenda, Wis. Mike Gramm photo

Next spot is at Hilltop Road overpass Zenda, Wisconsin MP 66, also just west of here is where Amtrak's “Lake Country Limited” stopped until 2001. (In Zenda is a little two-axle "critter" to switch the grain elevator, and a stone marker honoring a former Milwaukee Road employee. -- Brian) "This is where a chase gets tricky; departing Zenda you will be heading west on Highway B contending with Lake Geneva weekend vacation traffic, as you enter Walworth and the speed limit goes down to 25 mph and it will be hard to get ahead of 765 before it crosses over Highway 14. The former Milwaukee Road depot at Walworth is still standing and is a great spot. Next spot is County Highway X in Darien, which crosses the tracks on an overpass at a spot called Bardwell by the railroad. Next up Avalon, near MP 88, has good photo spots on either side of town. (And an SD40-2 to switch grain cars at the elevator. -- Brian) Chasers should note that the Emerald Grove Road overpass west of Avalon is closed to vehicle traffic, but still accessible by foot.

"Highway 14 between Walworth and Janesville is only two lanes and thus will make it hard to catch up to 765, so go and stake out a location for the return trip. This excursion will bring everyone out, and the roads quickly become a large convoy; play it cool and map out your spots ahead of time, and drive safely."

A westbound Wisconsin & Southern grain train passes the now-closed GM assembly plant in Janesville. Brian Schmidt photo

One place I have been is Janesville. The excursion will enter the city on the south side, passing through the former General Motors assembly plant and crossing the Rock River near U.S. Route 51. Be careful at the bridge, because the Union Pacific's former Chicago & North Western structure is closest to the highway bridge and you wouldn't want to setup for a train on the wrong track! The Wisconsin & Southern yard and roundhouse in Janesville are also easily, and safely, viewed from sidewalks along South Pearl and West Court streets.

To listen in to the action, turn on Ch. 31 (160.575) for Wisconsin & Southern and Ch. 44 (160.770) for Metra.

If you're looking to kill some time in Janesville, there are a number of fast food restaurants and gas stations on the west side of town along West Court Street, which is near the roundhouse and yard. More dining and shopping options are available on the north side where U.S. Route 14 and Interstate 39/90 join.