Trempealeau - Inn on the River

[rsovitzky]

Has anyone stayed at this motel on the Mississippi? It is touted for very good viewing/access to BNSF, CP, ICE. My wife and I are contemplating a night or two around there.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Rick

[dknelson]

I have not stayed there but I know where it is and people who stay there all agree that you see plenty of trains without having to budge much. Some even say it gets a bit noisy at night. There is also river traffic to watch which can be interesting. You are on the Wisconsin side of the river, meaning the BNSF runs more or less right below your room (it is on a bluff). The CP (former Milwaukee Rd) is across the river. that is also where the ICE would run. There is a very nice state park just to the north with some good viewing and photography spots, if you like to see trains reflected in water. Also good bird watching, including eagles in the area.
I strongly recommend getting to the LaCrosse area and watch trains from high above Grandad's Bluff. If you get across the river to the MN side I recommend the viewing platform in Dakota MN for CP railfan photography esp of an afternoon. Best time of year is unquestionably fall.
By the way Steam Powered Video has finally released their railroad map atlas that includes Minnesota. So if you have the Wisconsin and Minnesota atlas books with you, plus up to date road maps that show rail lines, you should have some good railfanning opportunities in the area.
Dave Nelson

[Bergie]

I've stayed there and I highly recommend it. From the railfan's aspect, it's awesome. Now, if you're wife wants a lot of ammenities (pool, hot tub, excercise room, etc.), this isn't the place for her. It's a very clean, well-kept hotel, but it doesn't offer all the bells and whistles of a large hotel chain hotel. But for a railfan, you'd have to look long and hard to find a place that offers a second story balcony this close to the tracks. It's awesome.

I wrote about it in Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 7 a couple of years ago.

The owners, George and Debra, are great people and George is a railfan too.

Have fun,
Erik

[rsovitzky]

Thanks, guys. We've made a reservation for April. Not the best season for photography, but it's the TRAINS...

[william6]

My wife and I stayed there 2 nights last fall (Oct., 2005). It does have lots of train action. The BNSF freights are frequent, but they are really rolling as they go thru the area. If you are a photographer, you probably won't be getting any still shots. I'd say the trains are all moving at 40 to 50 MPH, maybe more. The CP and ICE trains are on the Minnesota side of the river and are about a mile away, so viewing them from the motel is a bit of a challenge. I have to disagree with Dave Nelsen, who says the motel sits on a bluff. I'd say the motel is at track level, and the tracks are only a few feet above water level. It is a 2 story motel and the best views are from the balcony of the second floor rooms. Check out the motel's website to see a picture of it and decide for yourself.
If you are a biker (bicyclist), you'll want to bring your bike along and pedal the bike trail, especially to the south, towards Onalaska and LaCrosse. The tracks are in sight quite often, so you'll get to see trains from the bike trail, too. The lock and dam on the Mississippi at Trempealeau is within walking distance (about a half mile) of the motel, so that's something to do also while staying there. It's always interesting to watch the barges go thru the lock, especially when they have to break the tows in order to get them thru the lock.
I certainly recommend The Inn on the River and Trempealeau as a great vacation and train watching spot for any railfan.

William

[dknelson]

William you are right the Inn on the River is more or less at track level as in this picture here
http://www.explorewisconsin.com/innontheriver/
There are as a matter of fact several motels, inns and B&Bs in the area that would offer pretty good trainwatching.
I may have been thinking of the Grandview
http://www.grandview-motel.com/
Dave N