Wisconsin Southern Access

[wi_bigfoot]

Hi - I live around the Slinger area. The CN tracks are about a 1/2 mile from my house and I hear them daily. I would like to photograph the Wisconsin Southern trains but don't know the best access places.

 I understand they go through Richfield but on no set schedule. I see a lot of mention to Slinger but does anyone know how often?

 I drove up to Horicon for the first time and saw a few engines on the track but not running or anything. With the town ripped up it was hard to get anywhere.

I'm thinking of doing the Janesville trip to get pictures of the round house.

 Overall I'm after the best place to get pictures of them. The CN track I could say is used hourly so I know if I sit there I won't have a long wait. But what about for Wisconsin Southern?

 Thanks,

Jim

[dknelson]

On pleasant fall and spring days I like to railfan at Slinger Road not far from your home, because I can photograph botht the CN/WC and WSOR trains at the grade crossing(s).  The curves offer some nice opportunities particularly for westbounds facing the afternoon sun.

A bit to the east of there is Rugby Jct which offers a fair amount of public (nontresspass) access, and again the chance to see either CN/WC or WSOR trains.

Further to the east, Pioneer Road also offers crossings for both railroads, but a bit further apart. 

There is some degree of public access near the Janesville roundhouse, particularly if you have a good telephoto lens.  To the north is Milton Jct where the WSOR often parks trains. 

The depot in Whitewater would make a nice backdrop for photos.  Another photo op is the wig wag crossing signals in Lima Center.  Mark Hintz features this on his website

 http://www.fuzzyworld3.com/pictures3/railroad/tc06-wsor_hj-jh.html

Google maps can be your friend in this kind of quest.

Dave Nelson

[wi_bigfoot]

This morning I did some investigation. I started at the dead end on Lakeview in Hubertus but that was for CN only. I then headed north and found the one on Pioneer Rd. I parked in the side area and here I could see all 3 tracks.  From there I continued north and scored in Ackerville which is just east of 164 on 175. I parked in a resturant parking lot and within a few minutes a lone CN engine passed.

 The big score came when the WI Southern was on the track right in front of me. They must of been doing switching due to it went back and forth on the tracks about 4 times each time stopping right in front of me. Time was about 7:15 am.

 I then figured since the engine was facing east that it would show up in Richfield but I couldn't find a good parking spot.

 I came home and looked at Google Maps and found the Slinger road crossing you mentioned. I also eyed up Firemans Park in Slinger. It appears both sets of tracks go behind the park. Problem is I don't know if the trees seperate the track vs the park. If not that may be a good location as well. I will have to check out Ruby Junction. I was close to there from what it seems on the map.

[wi_bigfoot]

On another topic the line east of where I live I only see CN trains. Somewhere I read about Ruby Junction and then also read that WI Southern uses the CN line to get to Waukesha for the Janesville run.

Am I reading this correct that the WI Southern uses the CN track then that's right by my house? May sound like a stupid question but in the 5 yrs I lived here every train I have seen is CN so I figured that was the only train that was on it.

 Would be pretty  exciting if I am reading this right and there is a chance I could see the WI Southern on it as well.

 I looked on Mapquest and I don't see a switch track in Ruby Junction so I'm guessing if this is the case they switch just outside of Slinger and Ackerville to get on the CN tracks.

[CNW 6000]

Welcome to the site (and maybe the hobby?) Jim.  According to http://www.wsorrailroad.com/home/wsormap2007.pdf WSOR has trackage rights in your neck of the woods, so keep your eyes peeled.  Good luck!