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Wisconsin Great Northern Excursion
Spooner, WI
October 18, 2003
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Photo Gallery
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The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is a tourist railroad in northern Wisconsin
that operates over trackage of the former Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha,
from Spooner to Trego, WI. This wonderful railroad boasts several passenger cars, an
interesting variety of equipment, and plenty of friendly people who work hard to
provide a nice train ride for their customers! I visited the WGN on October 18, 2003,
and rode the train from Spooner to Trego Jct. and back, with a cab ride for the
return trip - here are photos from my visit.
You can find out more about the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad on their web site:
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Spooner, Wisconsin
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Welcome to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad!
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This former passenger station is what is left of what used to
be a larger station, built by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis,
and Omaha Railway Co. Today it is used as a railroad museum, and
the passengers board just north of the station.
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These old passenger cars are located just behind the station.
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This former C&NW caboose and two snow plows are located just
down the track from the passenger cars above. The caboose is
in pretty sorry shape, looking like the inside was set on fire.
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Heading Out
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The 11:00 am excursion returns from Trego Jct. The train backs
from Spooner to Trego Jct., then returns "face forward" to Spooner.
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Guess what train this is?
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Passengers begin boarding the 12:30 pm excursion.
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The coach interiors have been using their original
interior colors, which they discovered after peeling
off many layers of paint while working on them!
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Trego, Wisconsin (Trego Junction)
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The Pumpkin Train arrives at Trego Jct., and the
Pumpkin Patch!
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There were many activities for the kids at Trego Jct.,
including the Pumpkin Patch, face-painting, roasting
marshmallows over a fire, and free motorcar rides
for the kids!
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WGN #423 (former C&NW #4076A, then C&NW #423) poses for some pictures
on what was a totally BEAUTIFUL day.
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The rest of the Pumpkin Train:
- WGN #34 "Presque Isle" (48 seat diner)
- WGN #112 "Namekagon Club" (snack car/gift shop)
- Duluth & Northern Minnesota #32 "Apostle Isle" (50 seat diner)
- Duluth & Northern Minnesota #28 "Arrowhead" (diner/lounge)
Notice the ditch lights mounted on the end of "Arrowhead",
for use when the train is backing up.
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WGN #862, a former Milwaukee Road SW1, was on hand at Trego Jct.
also with a train that had been brought up earlier. (Sorry, the
cab shot had way too much light reflecting on the windows)
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These cabooses were at the end of WGN #862's train.
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Just north of the pumpkin patch, there are several cars
and an old Alco S-6 switcher that are owned by private
owners and stored. The Alco has major engine problems
and there is no word on whether its owner will get it
running again.
The track continues north of here up to Hayward Jct. and
the WGN's interchange with the Canadian National (formerly
Wisconsin Central), their connection to the outside world.
(The track is abandoned south of Spooner)
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Going Back - Cab Ride
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Going back to Spooner, I had the opportunity to ride up front
in #423, along with two children having their first cab ride.
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Our engineer for our trip, John, used to work for the Duluth,
Winnipeg and Pacific Railroad.
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Arriving back at the station!
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Equipment in Storage
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The WGN keeps several pieces of equipment parked in a siding
along Highway 63 just north of Spooner. Most of this equipment
is awaiting restoration.
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This locomotive is former Chicago and Northwestern F-7 #400
(originally C&NW #4084C, then C&NW #415). As #400, it was one
of the "Executive F's" that C&NW used on their business trains
in the 1980's.
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The former C&NW business car Flambeau is in excellent
shape, and is now part of WGN's collection.
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Last modified: June 17, 2007
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