Wisconsin Visitors info needed

[Trailryder]

I am going to the Wisconsin Dells area this weekend (8-20-05)
I was wondering if there is any good rail watching spots that I should be sure not to miss.

Thanks for the info.
Later Bill

[Big_Boy_4005]

The Mid Continent isn't far from the Dells. Nice little steam ride and museum.

http://www.midcontinent.org/about/about.html

The CP's main runs through there, bringing Amtrak's Empire Builder twice a day. Other than that, trainwise speaking, it's pretty quiet.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Big_Boy is right, traffic on the CP(MILW) main is pretty light. The station near downtown is probably the best place for train watching.

[fuzzybroken]

A stop in Portage might be a good idea. There's a major yard and an Amtrak depot there, and you may even see a set of BNSF power there. Some of the yard is less-than-accessible for photos, but there should be enough stuff to make it worthwhile, then head to the Dells on WIS-16.

Also, you may want to make a side trip to Janesville on your way there or your way back. Wisconsin & Southern's major Southern Division facility is down there, right in the middle of town -- Five Points! Depending on what time and day you go through there, you may catch one of their mainline trains, but the accessibility of Five Points may still make it worthwhile!

Enjoy your trip! Post any good photos you get!
-Mark
www.fuzzyworld3.com

[Noah Hofrichter]

Bill,

Wisconsin Dells is kind of my Hunting grounds, It's one of the few places I get to see mainline railroading very often at. I will give you all the information I know about the area. One of the best spots in the area is Boman road. The CP's tracks make a nice "S" curve right in the area. Here's a map of the area:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&location=GI0NodVgQK4Sy6ulF%2bPmN0R6yb%2bjEDZmgH0hPmsD7E9CKerrWQUKHRVN1osswS%2bIyyeSKgJoEoGmiZq7wpZ1PMZai2sYt62Nl5MUbzumAoE0VILhKAMvOBxA9bKw8s01J9kUElzmom5zaWvBuDMa%2f4mYE1CYqrqR

There really isn't a ton of traffic everyday, but if you know the peak times, you can usually see quite a few trains. I'd say it averages out to 10-15 trains a day. Here's the information from an engineer on the CP line in the area, about the peak times for traffic:

"The subdivision is called the Tomah Sub., it limits run from Portage to a place called River Junction West, a siding across the river from La Crosse. You are on the correct radio frequency of 161.520.

A thing we have to do on all trains now is announce when we are approaching a station or siding. It is usually done when we go by the one mile marker for each station or siding. As we are approaching each location we are to announce where we are apporaching and also announce our next restriction on the radio. A restriction is usually a slow order or a form B notice, which is a foreman working on the track usually with a gang or crew. If there are no restrictions you just announce where you are approaching and leave it at that. From a railfan standpoint it is kind of a handy way to find a train you are chasing or wanting to photograph. The company states the reason for announcing our location is to let other trains know where we are and to remind not only yourself about the next restriction but everyone else too. It was and still is being done with some opposition from the work force.

As for the busiest time, it can be hard to say. Early mornings can be good between say 6am-11am. Both Westbounds and Eastbounds can pass through that location during that time. Of course Amtrak #8 is also in there at that time. In the early afternoon it can be a little quiet, the Westbound wayfreight can pass through at this time 11am-3pm and there are the occasional West or Eastbound. Much of it just depends on train volume and day of the week.
Evenings get busier especially for Westbounds, early evenings especially. Between 5pm-midnight you can get a few of the regular Westbounds. Eastbounds start to show up later in the evening, say 8pm on.
As for photo locations, any of the crossings between the Dells and Portage are good spots along Hightway 16. Lewiston siding is located in this stretch too. Kilbourn siding is located just West of the Dells. If you head West out of downtown Dells on Highway 16, just before you get to the interstate a road turns to the right(I can't remember the name) and it takes you to a crossing at the East end of this siding. If you continue on Hwy 16 toward Lyndon Station, another right hand turn down the road maybe two miles or less will bring you to the West end of Kilbourn siding. Hwy 16 parallels our tracks quite a bit between Portage and Tomah for you to follow trains.
Bowman road is a great location as we are climbing a hill into the Dells going Westbound and it can slow us down a bit."

So between Boman Road and the Lewiston Siding just to the south of that, you should have a lot of fun. I've only tried going in the afternoon. I usually plan it so that if nothing else, I should get to see the Westbound Empire Builder, which is supposed to be though the Dells at 5:52PM. The Southbound Empire Builder is supposed to come through the Dells at 11:44AM. Both can make for fairly good photo oportunities. Most of the time the trains are on time with in a good 15 minutes, but then again, it sometimes can be as much as 4 hours late, as it was once when I was at the Dells. Either way good luck, and post some photos of you trip when you get back!

Noah

[dknelson]

I do not believe they are currently running any steam at the Mid Continent RR Museum in North Freedom. The FRA rules sidelines their operating steam a couple of years ago but they are working on the issue.
It is still very much worth visiting however.
There is a fair amount of CP action in Portage. Go west and you have the BNSF main along the Mississippi River.
Across the river is the CP.
Dave Nelson

[blhanel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Noah Hofrichter


If you head West out of downtown Dells on Highway 16, just before you get to the interstate a road turns to the right(I can't remember the name) and it takes you to a crossing at the East end of this siding.

That's the crossing where I videotaped the Empire Builder back in '95 or '96.

[Trailryder]

Thanks for the great info. I will be going up from the Northwestern Illinois area, so maybe I will hit Janesville and then up to Portage and then on to the Dells area. I am actually going to Mauston.
does anyone know if there is a good view of the tunnel up by Tomah, if so I may find time to check that out?.

I was at the Mid Continent RR Museum about a month ago, and yes they are without steem for the time being,
hopefully back by Christmas.

thanks so much, if not for your help I would have skipped the janesville-portage area.

Later Bill
as for pictures check out
http://www.pbase.com/trailryder/rail_photos
this is just the start of my collection.

[Noah Hofrichter]

The Tunnel By Tomah is acutally in Tunnel City, a little town just slightly North of Tomah near Fort McCoy. One can get right up near the Mouth of at least the East side of the tunnel, and I think one can get to the west side of the tunnel fairly easily too, from photos I've seen. I've never personally been there, but I've talked to people who have and I have seen photos from both sides. For photography, the east side is best to hit in the morning, and the west side is better to go to in the Afternoon.

Here's a map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=&city=Tunnel+City&state=WI&zipcode=

Haveing never been there, my suggestion would be to check out Highway 21 for a short stretch, as well as that Flagship ave paralelling the tracks to the south and see if you can't find the tunnel. This is what I plan on doing when I go there sometime soon, as I'd like to pay a visit to the area in the fall.

Noah