Atmo breaks free!!!

[Lord Atmo]

that's right! the shackles that once bound me to altoona have been cut! (and can be seen on a boxcar somewhere) the acquisition of a job and my mom admitting that i have enough driving experience to be trusted on my own have allowed me to do so!

but straight to the point. now that i am able to drive greater distances and fan tracks farther from Eau Claire, i am asking you all WHERE i should go.

what line is busy and gets a heaping amount of daytime traffic? the BNSF is nice indeed. but i'm sure there are others. like for instance. what uses the CN main to Superior? when can i see some CP or SOO action in Tomah? and how heavily is the traffic up in Junction City?

but most importantly: where can i find anything CNW-related? (bridges, signs, old depots, historical rolling stock, MOW equipment, trucks, anything with that ball and bar still present!)

keep in mind i cant go REALLY far, like, say, Rochelle or anywhere far out-of-state (the minnesota border is an exception to this rule as i cruised along that to get to Winona. paced a road freight too. that was FUN!)

any help would be most-appreciated! i cannot remember another  time in my railfanning life when i was THIS happy since my CNW days!

i feel like dancing....

[CShaveRR]

Congratulations!  Don't abuse the privilege.

Someone from closer to your neck of the woods might better be able to help you with the artifact hunt.  Meanwhile, I'd suggest that your next major investment (after a tank of gas) be a DeLorme atlas for Wisconsin.  Plan some trips of exploration for when you have the time.

[Lord Atmo]

heh heh. i'm careful about not abusing such priviledges. what is a DeLorme Atlas? i might have one

[Murphy Siding]

heh heh. i'm careful about not abusing such priviledges. what is a DeLorme Atlas? i might have one

It's a big, state atlas that shows all roads and most rail lines on a grid basis, with fairly good accuracy.  The cover is bright red.  If you don't have one, check your local library.  A lot of them have the atlases.

[blhanel]

It's a large (about the same size as a Rand-McNally) multiple-page magazine-style book of maps for the state indicated on the front cover.  The maps contained therein are much more detailed than Rand-McNally, and show elevations and railroads as well as the roads, even abandoned lines.

[Lord Atmo]

ohhh yes i think i have that book. each page on mine is a zoomed-in view of part of Wisconsin. this will be nice to plan trips on.

however, it's when and where i can see many trains on these lines that i also am interested in knowing. so i know where to go. currently, i know Alma and the adjacent CP are hot spots. but some days i may not be in a CP or a BNSF mood. that's why i'm interested in where i can see a lot of CN or WSOR action.

i will check my atlas out at home and see if it's any good. thanks much!

[nanaimo73]

South of Saint Paul in Newport or St. Croix you could see paired BNSF/CP.

To the east of you is Owen, where CN's Twin Cities and Duluth lines come together. Follow the line to Marshfield and Stevens Point.

Log onto http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/ and use their tonage map to see which lines haul a lot of freight.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/docs/railmap.pdf  

[Noah Hofrichter]

Delorme Atlas's are definately helpful. A friend of mine has a set for WI, MN, IA, and IL, and they come in very handy for railfanning. 

My recomendations for railfanning central/southern Wisconsin would go something like this:

1. The BNSF along the Mississippi River. Definately one of the higher density lines in Wisconsin, with something like 30-40 trains a day average on the line (though I usually only see three of four in a morning most of the times I'm there). I personally prefer the stretch from La Crosse to Prarie Du Chien, with around Stoddard and Genoa being the best places to go. I've railfanned quite a bit of Wisconsin over the last couple of years, and so far I've yet to find anywhere better than this stretch of railroad in the area (though the DMIR in Northern Minnesota does rival it). There are a couple of overlooks and way-sides as well as towns were you can pull off and sit by the main line to watch the traffic. A scanner will tip you off to trains leaving La Crosse, as most trains get a track warrent from the dispatcher before departing.

2. CP main line across Wisconsin. While not as scenic, there is a decent amount of traffic on the line (I'd say about 20 trains a day average). Most of the trains have big GE's in the lead, but there is still a decent amount of SOO power to be found if you spend enough time along the tracks there as well. Amtrak is due into Tomah eastbound around 11:00am and westbound around 6:30 (I think), and you can get times for other stops on Amtrak's website. Indiana Railroad trains (led by ex-SOO SD60s and the occasional INRD SD40) use the line a few times a week as well. There are good photo locations and places to just sit all along the line from Red Wing, MN, to Portage. It's just a matter of doing a little exploring and finding some that you like. Once again a scanner is a helpful thing, as CP trains call detectors and stations signs as they approach them. It'll help you figure out where quite a bit of the traffic is, though many times trains can still sneak up.

3. While I know you're probably looking to get away from the Adams line, my third choice is always the UP between Adams and Milwaukee. Lots of neat shots, but traffic is sparse as you know all to well. A scanner is pretty much a must here. What I usually do is go railfan the CP with in 20 or 30 miles of the Adams line, and if I hear something get a warrent then I'll cut up to the UP. But otherwise I never just go spend a day sitting on the Adams line as one never knows when you'll get skunked.

4. CN main line from Duluth to Owen and then towards Point, Fon Du Lac, and south to Chicago. I prefer the eastern end of things from Fon Du Lac to Duplainville (especially Byron Hill), but the Junction City and Stevens Point areas are also pretty good and it seems like there's usually something going on at Point. Most everything on this part of the CN passes through Junction City as well, so sitting there isn't bad either. 

There are a number of neat photo locations in the area (At the diamond in Junction City and around Point especially, along with Byron Hill), and I'm sure you could find places to just park and watch trains as well. Wisconsin Rapids also can have some traffic, though the main line up near JO has more. I don't know a real good traffic estimate for the CN, but from what I've seen personally I'd put it at between 20 and 30 trains a day. The CN just doesn't excite me as much, so I don't make as many trips up that way.

5. The WSOR is neat, but the problem is there isn't any real high density area where you'll be garunteed a train. The Reedsburg sub from Madison to Reedsburg usually has a local in the evenings on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (and this is ex-CNW territory), but it's only one train to chase. There is usually something going on around Madison most weekdays and some Saturdays as well, but what they'll be doing varies from day to day. The JH departs Janesville in late evening for Horicon via the WC at Waukesha, and the counter part HJ train departs for Janesville in the pre-dawn hours at Horicon. Janesville has the shops and there is often a yard job working, but as far as road trains, there isn't a real set schedule of trains, and any more it seems like much of the railroad is run in the evening and after dark. The Northern division (the lines radiating out of Horicon) I don't know as much about.

6. If I lived where you do, I'd be making a few long day trips to Duluth and the Iron Range to see what's left of the DMIR. Things are changing fast up there, and who knows how much longer DMIR power will be around.

There are other places as well, but those are the main places I've railfanned and the places I enjoy going to up towards Central Wisconsin. Good luck in your travels!

Noah

[EJE818]

I have to suggest two spots in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Dells, where there is a nice bridge on the CP line, and Janesville, which is where a UP and a WSOR yard are located. The neat thing about Janesville is you never know what you are going to see, as engines going to and coming from Horicon can be found there. At Wisconsin Dells you are not too far from the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, and if you have some cash handy (about $30) they offer cab rides in their S1 on any day during the summer when the train operates. I know you said it is a long shot, but you should try to work out with your parents (I don't want to get you in trouble) a trip to IRM to see the WC 7525. It is worth the trip, and you would probably end up spending a entire day there, especially during Diesel Days. 7525 isn't there yet but it should be there for sure by the end of this year if everything works out, plus lets not forget about IRM's other engines. I know you like the CNW, and there is a CNW F7 that operates during special events, and it is a beauty (plus it pulls matching bi-level cars), plus the CB&Q E5 is always nice seeing.

[CopCarSS]

The CP Line around Camp Douglas has some really nice opportunities for integrating some fall color into any rail shots. It's been awhile since I've been out that way, but I seem to recall a lot of Sumac growing along the ROW. Sumac turns a brilliant red in fall. Could be nice for some shots...

[Anonymous]

Not throwing too much cold water but gasoline, insurance, license fees, tag fees, food, upkeep, tires, etc...

Especially the insurance. I recall my first year with a V8 car ran about 1400 a year. Today I dont even pay 600 for two cars or three, I cannot remember.

Oh and the tickets... especially the tickets. Let's see...**Riffles tickets... throws them away.. no need to go there now. That was a LONG time ago. =)

[wgnrr]

Come on down to Adams and Oxford for a weekend! We've got 2 C&NW depots, 2 C&NW cabooses, plenty of trains, 3 C&NW coaling towers, and plenty of other things. They are replacing the track with CWR (welded rail) so there are over 100 pieces of M-O-W equipment.

I'll take you on a good tour of the line.

Phil

[eolafan]

May I suggest LaCrosse for lots of trains per day on the two roads that travel through there plus Amtrak...or for less action but quite nice would be Stevens Point (not too far but fairly busy most times).

[WCfan]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

[wgnrr]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

It's too bad they put a fence up by the yard though..

The C&NW caboose that used to be in Wausau is now in Scandanavia, WI.

Phil

[eolafan]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

I'll give you some idea how old I am...I remember moving into Wausau when the Milwaukee Road had a roundhouse in town where they did some light engine work and refueling and a yard right there by the roundhouse where they did switching and made up and broke down trains from/to the north and south.  CNW also had a yard on the south side of town.  Back then MILW tracks went up to join the SOO and the CNW tracks came into town from Green Bay (via Shawano) and continued on (past the old CNW station...by then Billy Moy's One World Inn) to the Eau Claire area (Altoona I think).  OK, how old do you think I am from how I described Wausau when I lived there?

[Lord Atmo]

thanks for all the help, guys. i'm compiling a list on word made from your posts which will be used as a "master guide" whenever i can go on another outing like this!

the UP line between adams and milwaukee might be a better shot for me because of the fact that since i will be closer to butler, i might see BUVP while the sun is still out. and it is my understanding that the Itasca trains still use that section of the line?

CNW depots? cabooses? coaling towers?! SIGN ME UP!!

i have been through camp douglas and it looks very nice indeed. i dont know how far my mom will let me go currently. but i DO know she lets me go afar to catch historical and special stuff. but if i can make it that far, camp douglas seems like a good spot. i want to try to fan there while the ford plant remains and i can catch the rack train i have seen a few times while traveling to milwaukee

another spot i would enjoy fanning at is the merrimac bridge. i have seen it many times and rode the ferry too. but alas, never any trains on it. i need to get with the WSOR program here

and yes, i know i need to get me a scanner. my manager just told me the other day that they got the budget issues sorted out and i can get some more hours in soon enough

Stevens Point. i have been to the WC yard there eons ago. it has been too long. and i really would like to go back there. especially cuz i'm also a dam enthusiast (yeah i know. laugh it up. they look neat) and i only saw the dam there from behind. never in front. is there any WC power working that yard? if i go to junction city, i will definitely also go to the point! 

things are looking good for me!

 

but for now, i just fanned the mississippi area so i cant head off right away. but i'm trying to be able to chase a UP local along the track of my CNW past up to Chippewa Falls. it's a VERY scenic route and good for pictures!

again thank you, everyone. it's greatly appreciated. i hope to sclae the whole state this summer and see it all! so be on the lookout for a beige chevy venture!

 

[wgnrr]

I really couldn't tell ya' what the symbols of the trains are. All I know is that I always catch the freight manifest from Butler at 4:00 exactally, next to the Oxford, WI depot. What does the BUVP haul? No idea on the Itasca trains either. I would persume yes, because there is no other way for a UP train to get up there.

Oxford (as mentioned) and Grand Marsh still have depots; the Grand Marsh depot is a house, and there is also the Necedah depot that is a house. So, 3 C&NW Standard #2 depots.

Coaling Towers: Adams, Dalton, Clyman, JCT. You can see one of every type of coaling tower used on the C&NW in one day. (This is probably the only subdivision on any RR in the US that has all of it's coaling towers still standing)

Cabooses: 2 C&NW's in Adams next to the Yard office. One of them used to run the locals that went to LaCrosse, before it got into a little accident this June. It nearly tore off the whole side of the caboose (Anyone in need of a C&NW caboose for free??)

Phil

 

[CNW 6000]

Don't forget Progressive Rail (Wisconsin Northern).  Not exactly a hopping main line but it's neat none-the-less.  You could try to get to Stevens Point for a 'big' CN yard.  Otherwise I'd say try the CP mainline.  Good luck!

[WCfan]

Atmo, if you go to Point I GARNTEE WC power. There are usually 2-3 switchers there. Two of them are used for yard work, and one is mainly used on the Plover Patrol. You also have a good chance to see a WC GP40, and a VERY slim chance to see a WC SD40-2. Its even slimmer when 6003 got retired, and possibly 6002 in storage.

[Lord Atmo]

Don't forget Progressive Rail (Wisconsin Northern).  Not exactly a hopping main line but it's neat none-the-less.

 

i'm way ahead of ya there!

i have a lot of love for the WN. they have S-3Ls on their locomotives. CNW horns. and the yard has a crossing so i get plenty of that musical sound. but i cant fan them much. i try though.  it's a nice road up there! 

[WCfan]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

I'll give you some idea how old I am...I remember moving into Wausau when the Milwaukee Road had a roundhouse in town where they did some light engine work and refueling and a yard right there by the roundhouse where they did switching and made up and broke down trains from/to the north and south.  CNW also had a yard on the south side of town.  Back then MILW tracks went up to join the SOO and the CNW tracks came into town from Green Bay (via Shawano) and continued on (past the old CNW station...by then Billy Moy's One World Inn) to the Eau Claire area (Altoona I think).  OK, how old do you think I am from how I described Wausau when I lived there?

My father told me that that CNW depot was once used for a restraunt! Oh and a little up date here. You know the 3M plant here? Well they are adding on to the yard. I think it's about a 5 track stub yard.

[CShaveRR]

Don't forget Progressive Rail (Wisconsin Northern).  Not exactly a hopping main line but it's neat none-the-less.

 

i'm way ahead of ya there!

i have a lot of love for the WN. they have S-3Ls on their locomotives. CNW horns. and the yard has a crossing so i get plenty of that musical sound. but i cant fan them much. i try though.  it's a nice road up there! 

That's because this is a former CNW GP15-1!  Can't see enough of the other one to determine its heritage, but those louvers behind the cab are a giveaway.

[EJE818]

I totally forgot about La Crosse! I've never been there but it sounds like a neat place. I'm more familiar with southern Wisconsin (Wisconsin Dells on south), but there are many places I haven't been like Milwaukee or Duplainville. I'm not very familar with anywhere in Wisconsin north of the Dells, and I know nothing about Minnesota. I've heard (but never been to, but being a big shortline fan I do want to come see the Minnesota Commercial) of a couple good places in the twin cities, and I really don't know anything about them, but thats about it. The area I know is the Chicago area, and I know that wouldn't do you much good. I've always wanted to go to Fond Du Lac or Stevens Point. Its ok, I've seen enough WC power to keep me busy this year, but I still would like to go to one or both of those yards.

[eolafan]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

I'll give you some idea how old I am...I remember moving into Wausau when the Milwaukee Road had a roundhouse in town where they did some light engine work and refueling and a yard right there by the roundhouse where they did switching and made up and broke down trains from/to the north and south.  CNW also had a yard on the south side of town.  Back then MILW tracks went up to join the SOO and the CNW tracks came into town from Green Bay (via Shawano) and continued on (past the old CNW station...by then Billy Moy's One World Inn) to the Eau Claire area (Altoona I think).  OK, how old do you think I am from how I described Wausau when I lived there?

My father told me that that CNW depot was once used for a restraunt! Oh and a little up date here. You know the 3M plant here? Well they are adding on to the yard. I think it's about a 5 track stub yard.

Wow, I recall the 3-M plant all right but as I recall it was sandwiched between the Wisconsin River and the main street on the other side (I believe either 2nd. or 3rd. Ave.).  Where did they find room for the extra tracks?

[Poppa_Zit]

Good luck, and don't let us hear you are pacing trains and trying to take pictures out the car window while moving. OK?

[Lord Atmo]

pacing is for the fun of the moment. i take pictures when i;m standing trackside. so dont worry about that. heh. if i wanted a pic of a trtain i'm pacing, i would beat it to a fanning area and set up for the shot before it arrives.

the WN fleet is ex-CNW? i thought they were ex-Frisco

[WCfan]

Ah yes Junction City. There's a fair amount of action there. About 20+ trains a day. Another good spot close to Junction City is, like Noah said, is Stevens Point or as we call it Point. Point is a VERY good spot to RF. The yard is VERY accessible, there are many side streets going right along it. The engine tracks are also very accessible. Also, if you have the time you could head up to Wausau. We still have some CNW heritage up here. But sadly it has declined. We use to have wig way crossing here, and a CNW caboose sitting here. But the wig ways are now gone and the caboose, I don't know any thing about. We still have some CNW no trespassing signs, the depot, and the 2 yards. But that's really it.

I'll give you some idea how old I am...I remember moving into Wausau when the Milwaukee Road had a roundhouse in town where they did some light engine work and refueling and a yard right there by the roundhouse where they did switching and made up and broke down trains from/to the north and south.  CNW also had a yard on the south side of town.  Back then MILW tracks went up to join the SOO and the CNW tracks came into town from Green Bay (via Shawano) and continued on (past the old CNW station...by then Billy Moy's One World Inn) to the Eau Claire area (Altoona I think).  OK, how old do you think I am from how I described Wausau when I lived there?

My father told me that that CNW depot was once used for a restraunt! Oh and a little up date here. You know the 3M plant here? Well they are adding on to the yard. I think it's about a 5 track stub yard.

Wow, I recall the 3-M plant all right but as I recall it was sandwiched between the Wisconsin River and the main street on the other side (I believe either 2nd. or 3rd. Ave.).  Where did they find room for the extra tracks?

Yeah it's between the WI river and 1st Ave. Now I don't know if this is in your time (lol, no offense) but that Window Factory next to 3M got torwen down. The land is really toxi now and some other person owns it and they got little white shacks all over it. 3M dosn't owen it. But if you recall, there was space from the existing yard to First ave. That's where they are putting it. If you look on google earth you can see there was room there. They also are adding another place to fill the cars.  

[Noah Hofrichter]

MBUVP usually does seem to be through the Adams line in mid afternoon. This summer I seemed to have good luck catching a eastbound frieght around 1400 out of Adams headed east, and he'd meet the MBUVP at Dalton which I could then get a shot or two of on the way back to Adams.

I've yet to nail down a schedule for MITPR (not that there's really a schedule for anything on the Adams line, but more like a typical time they are seen). Seems like early morning eastbound and late in the day westbound is what I've heard though.

I'd forgotten, Adams does usually have a couple of CNW cabooses hanging around, and at least a while ago one was regularly used on the UP's Adams-Winona job (Do you know if the Winona Job still uses a caboose Phil, or not since they wrecked their last one?). And of course there's the one little bitty building still left standing from the old CNW roundhouse at Adams near the coaling tower.

Carl, I've always been told the WN GP15s are both ex-Friscos and not CNWs (though I wish they were). Never have nailed down frisco numbers for them (or at least not that I remember), but I've been told several times of their heritage. I think I've got a shot of the builders plate of one of the engines somewhere, I should really check out the number on there.

Robby, Mid Contient's S-1 is more or less OOS for repairs now. They're currently running a locomotive they bought last fall on the regular train, a RS4TC that used to work at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant south of Baraboo for most of it's life (which means it never did much actual work). It's number MCRY 1256 (used to be USAX 1265). Still need to get over there and shoot it in revenue service on MCRY yet...

Noah

[wgnrr]

To show you what you are missing in Central Wisconsin, I have compiled a year in photos review of the main highlights of what I saw...

It statred when the 2719 had to be transported to LSRM in Duluth. In order to get there, the engine had to travel to Adams...

After a March snowstorm, we see a ex-C&NW SD40-2 plow it's way through the snow west of Grand Marsh...

We missed the EC-4 at Oxford, so we caught it at Clyman, Jct. This is the first of 3 coaling towers on the Adams Sub...

A few days later, the 3300, or the United Way engine, is seen near Necedah, along HWY 21. As I write this (Midnight, 9-26) I am listening to the scanner, and hearing this same engine receive a track warrant to Oxford...

On the last day of school for me, I skipped out and saw the local switching at Oxford. In this consist, is the "Dirty Snoot Nose", or UP 3251 (but you can't see it in this photo)...

Later that day, I went to ride the UP Operation Lifesaver Train in Adams. Unlike other years, this years train was of the UP business fleet, hauled by their E9's. The second coaling tower...

When I was sitting in the Dome Car on the OLS trip, I looked at the cabooses, and wanted to yell...What happened!!! They ruined the caboose that ran on the local to Winona!!! Oh well. The other caboose has never ran, and used to sit under the coaling tower until that track was torn out...

My hometown depot, Oxford, WI...

The current gang of track equipment replacing the rail with welded rail...

A typical NS roadrailer...

Mid Continent's RS-4-TC locomotive. If you have ever watched Pentrex's Michigan Iron Ore Railroads, and heard the horn on the LS&I alcos, this horn is the exact same one. It is beautiful! The engine sounds like a semi going by, because it has a CAT engine...

Later that day, one of two WSOR SD20s that were switching grain cars at Rock Springs...

A not too uncommon occurance at Portage, WI is to see plenty of SOO power next to each other...

The third coaling tower at Dalton. Yes, it is complete (besides the metal). It is called a direct coaler, which did not have a area to store the coal when not needed.

The road that I live on goes over the tracks a short distance from my house. Here, a manifest is seen struggling up the grades. I have seen trains actually stall on this grade from time to time.

Probably the prettiest shot I have ever taken was about a week ago near the bridge mentioned above. The lighting effect was spetacular!!

So, there is quite a bit to do down here. Don's hesitate!

Phil
Oxford, WI