2-20-16

This was our first time going to this railroad show, cost was $11 at the door. We parked for free one mile away at Olin Park, it would have cost us $7 and it was a beautiful day for a walk anyway.  The major sponsor is The South Central Wisconsin Division National Model Railroad Association Midwest Region.  See the info booklets for the show here.

This building is bigger than it looks, and there were plenty of displays in the hall area. The ticket booths looked like little train ticket counters, cute!

Trains were the main exhibits here, but there was one that stood out from the crowd.   There was an exhibit dedicated to the Late ore freighter Edmund Fitzgerald that sank on November 10, 1975.  There was even a ship bell that kids had fun ringing. Jim Ferguson ran this exhibit.

Let’s hear the bell!

We went inside and were amazed by the sheer volumes of trains of all sizes. The smallest trains were the size of a glue stick to ones large enough to give people rides. There were two of those! Here is a sample of all of this activity.

We also saw booths from some of the train attractions we have visited before.  The Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum, home of the “Dinky” train. Read about our visit here in 2013.

Another place we have been to represented here was the North Freedom Mid-Continent Railway Museum. We have enjoyed two rides on their full-sized train, lots of fun!  See more about our visits here. The Autumn train ride is especially exciting.

This display is by the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society. We have seen them at two other events. One was Olbrich Botanical Gardens Holiday Express. Also at Janesville’s Rotary Garden Holiday Light Show.

This very impressive display by the Powers Family is a tribute to the circus.  They will be visiting our church St. Peters in August.

Enjoy a ride on the large circus train that was there too.

Many souvenirs were available for purchase too, from t-shirts to train cars and of course, train hats and whistles.

An enjoyable morning for any train enthusiast, we are glad we went.