Toy Train Barn - Argyle & Eastern Railroad

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The Toy Train Barn
Argyle, Wisconsin

Operating Model Train Layouts
- All Scales -

The Argyle & Eastern Railroad

Note: Please call ahead to inquire about availability of train rides

The "Argyle & Eastern Railroad" is a real 12" gauge operating railroad. The "Argyle Zephyr" train will enable you to ride the rails and view the beautiful rolling hills that are part the Guthrie farm. There are high trestles, deep ravines, grade crossings and deep cuts through the hills.

Construction work on the railroad will be completed in phases. Phase one began operation in the fall of 2002 as seen in these photos. Plans for phase three are in the works and construction will be on going.

Laying the First Rails

After more than a year of planning, preparations, roadbed grading and landscaping, the first stages of the 12" gauge Argyle & Eastern Railroad in Argyle Wisconsin is finally ready to operate. Visitors can ride and operate the train across the main loop just outside of the main barn.

The bobcat and backhoe have been busy once again as they made final repairs and adjustments the roadbed and finished adding dirt to the long eight foot high fill that approaches the A&ER's big through truss bridge over the main ravine. As of sunset Saturday the first ballast was spread out by the freshly completed homemade ballast spreader.

On Sunday, June 23, 2002, the FIRST RAILS were laid despite the 90 degree plus temperatures. The large through truss bridge, which is the centerpiece of the railroad, and a smaller trestle were completed during the last week of June. In the car shop, Dylan Guthrie's large wooden caboose ( based on a Illinois Central design ) is nearing completion. The first Argyle & Eastern train is rolling now.

The 12" gauge "Argyle & Eastern Railroad" which began operating phase one this past Fall after a considerable amount of construction work on the roadbed and a large wooden trestle was completed. Work on the "Argyle Zephyr" train and the A&ER Circus Train cars will continue through the Winter months inside the warmth of the roundhouse shop until better weather permits further trestle construction and track work outside once again.

Argyle & Eastern Railroad Update

The Argyle & Eastern Railroad kicked off the new season in a big way this past weekend. The A&ER's second bridge was put in place on Saturday at Fox Jct. followed by the addition of 180' of new mainline track laid on Sunday. The new track will connect the current North Loop trackage with Kodi Springs and also a second Junction point (Shops Jct.) for a spur track to the Roundhouse when completed.

Track work will resume next Saturday weather permitting and continue down the long hill towards the Springs and Guthrie Falls. There is much much more work to be done but the A&ER crew is off to a fast start and very excited about finally getting rails laid down on this long anticipated stretch of railroad.

On the sub grade for this section of track was one of the first sections of A&ER right of way begun in the summer of 2001 and contains a large amount of fill for the grade. Last

Buck is seen here building the shell for the Argyle Zephyr locomotive.

season all attention was spent on building the North Loop track and it's trestle, It is good to finally get rails laid on the hill.

A driveway grade crossing with signal lights will also be added soon to this section of track. Expanding A&ER Roster The Argyle & Eastern Railroad has also added some more equipment to the railroad during the past couple of weeks. The A&ER has added more rolling stock in the form of three flat cars ranging from 8' to 14' in length as well as a vintage Speeder Car powered by a single cylinder Eureka engine.

A fourth Circus flat car should also be arriving soon as well. The Toy Train Barn & Argyle & Eastern Railroad had a very productive weekend with a large number of visitors. It should shape up to be a great season!

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Argyle & Eastern Railroad

The Toy Train Barn is open all year round, so come on out and see the ever changing lay outs and displays! Note: Please call ahead to inquire about availability of train rides!