I live in Reedsburg, so over the past few years I've tried to keep track of this information as best I could. It used to be a couple of years ago I could tell you almost exactly when the train (now known as the "M3") would leave Madison, and you could darn near set your watch by him until he got to Baraboo. In recent months though their on duty time and time out of Madison has become a little more sporadic.
I can tell you for sure that the train runs Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursdays out of Madison, and pretty much always leaves in the evening. Last I was told their offical start time was 1500, though that can be changed in either direction by two hours I beleive.
It used to be they were almost always out of town within a half hour or 45 minutes of their start time. Lately though it seems their train isn't always made up, and so they can spend some time putting their cars together and air testing. But from reports I've seen I'd put their typical time out of Madison at somewhere between 3:30 and 5:00 PM, with about 4 to 4:30 being the most common report I've seen. If they are set back an hour or two though, it could theoretically be even later. Unfortunately it's hard to get any more specific than that anymore.
I chased the train a few weeks ago, and although their schedule was effected by the WSOR passenger train runs that day, they didn't get out of the yard until close to 7:00 PM. Only allowed me to chase to Waunakee before the light ran out. My best advice is that if you really want to catch the train, head over to the WSOR yard sometime in late afternoon (say around 3:30 or 4) and bring a book or something to do incase you end up waiting a little while. There are a couple of parking lots near the north side of the yard that would let you park and wait until you can see the train pull accross Comercial Avenue and get underway. That's what I've done, and it usually works, though I have been skunked before. Of course, I haven't chased as much since their schedule became erratic though either.
Good luck, and I sure wouldn't mind seeing pictures if you get any!
Noah
The Reedsburg train runs 5 days a week. Sunday through Thursday. The train is ussually run by the M4 crew. and they go on duty in Madison at 1700 on most days. Sometimes a little later and sometimes a little sooner.
I'd heard that the train was changed a few months ago to 5 days a week now, but I hadn't heard what the usual on duty time is now, so thanks much for the info. From reports from a friend it appears they are making it to Baraboo at a decent hour again (many nights before 7:00PM), so if they can keep up a consistent run through the summer there might be a good chance at shooting the M4 in daylight on the Reedsburg sub again. Sure would be nice...
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