Milepost
212
Volume 5 Issue Number
2 - Summer 2000
Page 2
First
Wisconsin and Southern Excursion of 2000 a Success
by Craig Bluschke
On
Saturday May 13th 25 motorcar operators and their guests
converged at Milton, Wisconsin for the second NCR-sponsored
excursion of the season and the first run this year over
the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad, from Milton to Waukesha,
Wisconsin. The previous day's warm humid weather had given
way overnight to temperatures in the 40's with a stiff northwest
wind making it seem more like March than mid-May but everyone
seemed pretty well-prepared for this turn of events, although
some comments about running "winter" excursions was overheard
from several folks with open cars. Fortunately our morning
40-mile run east to Waukesha would be with the wind, minimizing
wind-chill factors and allowing things to warm up before
our return trip in the afternoon.
While
everyone arrived, unloaded their cars, and set-on at Milton's
passing track, safety inspections were completed followed
by the usual pre-departure meeting where Excursion Coordinator
Craig Bluschke had a couple of surprises to pass along.
First, that we'd be sharing the first 12-miles of our route
between Milton and Whitewater with a Wisconsin and Southern
passenger excursion necessitating a meet each way between
the motorcar group and passenger train, and second that
due to a major freight train derailment in Waukesha the
line was impassable through the area and we'd have to end
our run a mile or so short of the planned turnaround point.
To avoid delaying the passenger train on the return trip
it would also be important that we keep on schedule throughout
the day so a "no break-down" rule was put in effect, meaning
that if any motorcar developed mechanical problems it would
be put under tow immediately to minimize delays.
Following
the meeting everyone returned to their motorcars and completed
any last-minute preparations so that we could be ready to
roll as soon as the westbound passenger train passed us.
After only a brief wait a headlight appeared in the distance
and soon Wisconsin and Southern's stunning Northern Pride
passenger train glided by the motorcar lineup headed by
back-to-back FP7A 71A and E9A 10C trailing a matched string
of red and silver passenger cars complete with dome/observation
car Northern View bringing up the rear. Quite a sight! Within
minutes our Wisconsin and Southern escort Gary Cooley had
received a track warrant via radio from the dispatcher,
the main-line switch was thrown, and another NCR motorcar
excursion was underway.
With
everyone out of the siding and on the main line we found
ourselves rolling east through typical Wisconsin farm scenery,
soon passing through the small town of Lima Center where
the last remaining wig-wag style crossing signal on the
line still stands guarding the main highway crossing. A
few miles later we're entering the outskirts of Whitewater,
passing the restored Victorian station before making our
first rest stop of the day and giving everyone a chance
to stretch their legs. Keeping in mind the need to stay
on schedule we're soon underway once again and as we pass
the small towns of Palmyra and Eagle the scenery slowly
changes from farm fields to more wooded and hilly as we
begin to enter the southern Kettle Moraine area, one of
two such places in southeastern Wisconsin which remained
untouched by glaciers and as a result are much more rugged
than the surrounding terrain. Another change as we progress
further east is that more houses are visible scattered through
the hills, meaning we're slowly entering the fringes of
suburban Milwaukee with it's accompanying extra traffic
on many of the back roads requiring each motorcar operator
to pay extra attention at every crossing. Soon even the
scattered homes give way to true suburbia with rows of newer
houses lining the streets.
The
original plan for the trip was to continue to Grand Avenue
in downtown Waukesha, where Wisconsin and Southern's track
ends, and turn our cars adjacent to the former-C&NW depot.
Although repair crews had been working to restore service
after a freight derailment two days before, upon our arrival
we found that the last mile or so of the line still remained
closed so instead we turn the motorcar group at a convenient
street crossing on the west side of Waukesha, a spot which
also becomes an impromptu lunch stop.
Since
everyone attending had been instructed to bring all of their
food and supplies with them our lunch break was relatively
brief and soon we found ourselves rolling west on the return
leg of the excursion. Our first afternoon stop was at the
small town of North Prairie where a stone marker near the
track marks the grave of the first person killed in the
line of duty on the Milwaukee Road, in 1859. Although the
inscription on the marker is extremely faded and almost
unreadable co-excursion coordinator Roger Miller had located
a historical article recounting the story which was handed
out to everyone, making this one of the more unique stops
made during one of our excursions.
Arriving
back at Whitewater for a second rest stop we find ourselves
right on schedule but soon learn that the returning passenger
excursion, which we're supposed to meet 12 miles further
west at Milton, is running almost an hour ahead of schedule
and in fact is already waiting for us at Milton. After some
radio discussion between our escort, the crew of the passenger
train, and the dispatcher, it's decided that rather than
have the passengers aboard the train sit through an extended
wait the motorcar group would proceed a mile or so to the
west edge of Whitewater where we could take a siding to
let the train pass by. Twenty minutes later the motorcars
are in the clear, our track warrant is released, and the
passenger excursion has resumed it's journey. After a short
wait we begin to hear the train whistling in the distance
and soon we're once again treated to the sight of a classic
passenger train gliding by the lineup of motorcars. With
the train safely past, the motorcars are soon back on the
main line and underway once again for the short run back
to Milton and conclusion of another memorable NCR excursion.
Thanks
to our Wisconsin and Southern escort Gary Cooley and also
to Bob Welke, the railroad's Manager of Passenger Excursions,
for their help with another safe and successful motorcar
event.
Excursion
Updates...
The
September 16th Spring Green to Prairie du Chien excursion
has sold out in record time with all 25 available spots
filled within two days of the June 1st start of registration.
A waiting list was also started to fill any openings if
they become available, making this one of the most popular
runs in NCR history.
I
have received word that Great Lakes Railcars has posted
the ever popular Marquette, MI., LS&I excursion. As a service
to NCR members, I'll post what details I have:
When: August 26, 2000
Cost: $55 per car
Car Limit: 25
Where: LS&I Marquette Ore Dock/Yard
facility.
Arrival
Time: 8:00-8:30. No
set on till RR shows up; safety briefing.
Registrations:
Accepting with payment after June 1, 2000. Materials/Information
packet will follow.
Special Considerations: Along with
GLR requirements, the following is posted mandatory: Hard
Hats, Safety Glasses with side eye shields, and shoe toe
protectors required, and at each persons own responsibility.
Other things remain the same.
Information
Contact: Jim Lindholm, 836 Fairfield N.W. Grand Rapids,
MI 49504 lindholm_jim@hotmail.com
Also
check Great Lakes Railcar newsletter or NARCOA excursion
page for more information.
If
any of you have photos for the web page, they would be greatly
appreciated. Send to: swrg@att.net Have a safe enjoyable
summer. See you on the rails.
North
Central Railcars, Ltd. Milepost 212, Editor 2661 Northern
Road Suite E Appleton, WI 54915
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