All aboard the nostalgia express! Wisconsin’s got a secret stash of train-tastic treasures that’ll make you feel like a kid again.
From tiny toy trains to massive locomotives, we’re chugging through the Badger State’s most delightful railway attractions.
1. Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad (Spooner)
Imagine stepping into a time machine disguised as a train car.
That’s exactly what you get at the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner.
This isn’t your average choo-choo ride; it’s a full-blown adventure on rails.
Picture this: you’re lounging in a vintage dining car, sipping on a steaming cup of joe, while the Wisconsin countryside rolls by like a living postcard.
It’s like being in an old Hollywood movie, minus the dramatic plot twists and plus some really good cheese curds.
But wait, there’s more!
They’ve got themed rides that’ll make you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled onto a movie set.
Murder mystery dinners on a moving train? Check.
Santa Express during the holidays? You betcha.
It’s like Agatha Christie and St. Nick decided to throw a party on wheels.
2. Mid-Continent Railway Museum (North Freedom)
Hold onto your conductor’s hat, because the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom is about to take you on a wild ride through railway history.
This place is like a time capsule with a really loud whistle.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by iron horses from a bygone era, each with its own story to tell.
It’s like a retirement home for locomotives, except these retirees still know how to party.
The star of the show? A restored steam engine that puffs and huffs its way down the tracks, making you feel like you’ve just stepped out of a sepia-toned photograph.
But don’t think you’re just here to look at pretty trains.
Oh no, you get to ride these bad boys!
Hop aboard for a journey through the Baraboo Hills, where you half expect to see a dinosaur peeking out from behind the trees.
It’s Jurassic Park meets Thomas the Tank Engine, and it’s glorious.
3. The Toy Train Barn Museum (Argyle)
Prepare to have your mind blown by miniature marvels at The Toy Train Barn Museum in Argyle.
This place is what happens when someone’s childhood obsession grows up but refuses to grow old.
Imagine a barn-sized wonderland filled with intricate model train layouts.
It’s like someone shrunk an entire railroad empire and stuffed it into a hay loft.
You’ll find yourself hunched over, nose practically pressed against the tiny tracks, watching minuscule trains zip through microscopic towns.
It’s enough to make you wonder if you accidentally ate one of Alice’s “drink me” potions.
The best part? This isn’t some hands-off, look-but-don’t-touch museum.
Oh no, they encourage you to push buttons and make things move.
It’s like being the god of a tiny train universe.
Just try not to let the power go to your head.
4. National Railroad Museum (Green Bay)
Forget Lambeau Field, the real touchdown in Green Bay is at the National Railroad Museum.
This place is the motherlode of locomotive lore, a veritable Valhalla of vintage vehicles.
As you wander through the sprawling complex, you’ll come face-to-face with behemoths of the rail.
We’re talking engines so big, they make monster trucks look like Hot Wheels.
The star of the show?
The Union Pacific Big Boy, a steam locomotive so massive it probably has its own zip code.
But it’s not all about size here.
The museum also boasts a collection of presidential train cars.
That’s right, you can walk through the same corridors where presidents once paced, probably trying to figure out how to explain to the First Lady why the country needed another railway.
5. East Troy Electric Railroad (East Troy)
Ever wondered what it would be like to ride in a train car older than your grandparents?
Well, wonder no more!
The East Troy Electric Railroad is here to fulfill all your time-traveling fantasies, minus the paradoxes and butterfly effects.
This isn’t just any old train ride.
We’re talking about electric interurban railcars that have been zipping around since the roaring twenties.
It’s like stepping into a moving museum, complete with that unmistakable scent of history (which, let’s be honest, smells a lot like old leather and ozone).
The journey takes you on a scenic 10-mile round trip between East Troy and Mukwonago.
Along the way, you’ll cruise past sparkling lakes and rolling farmland.
It’s like someone took all the best parts of Wisconsin, shrunk them down, and arranged them neatly along the tracks for your viewing pleasure.
6. Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway (Osceola)
Nestled in the picturesque St. Croix River Valley, the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway is like the love child of a train enthusiast and Mother Nature.
This scenic railroad offers rides that’ll make you want to break out in song, Julie Andrews style.
As you chug along the old Wisconsin Central line, you’ll be treated to views that’ll have you questioning whether you’re still in the Midwest or if you’ve somehow been transported to a railway in the Alps.
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The highlight? Crossing the 156-foot-high Dresser Bridge.
It’s like being on a roller coaster, except instead of screaming, you’re sipping coffee and munching on snacks from the concession car.
But the real magic happens during their special event rides.
Murder mysteries, pizza trains, and even a “Pumpkin Express” in the fall.
It’s like someone took all your favorite things and put them on rails.
Just don’t get so caught up in solving the murder that you miss the scenery!
7. Riverside & Great Northern Railway (Wisconsin Dells)
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a giant in a world of trains, the Riverside & Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells is your ticket to Brobdingnagian bliss.
This 15-inch gauge railroad is what happens when trains decide they want to be adorable instead of intimidating.
As you squeeze into the miniature passenger cars (don’t worry, they’re built for human-sized passengers), you can’t help but feel like you’re starring in your own Lilliputian adventure.
The 3-mile round trip takes you through towering rock formations and dense forests, making you feel like you’re on a journey through a fairytale land where everything is just slightly out of proportion.
But don’t let the size fool you.
These little engines pack a punch, huffing and puffing their way up grades that would make their full-sized cousins break a sweat.
It’s like watching a chihuahua pull a sled – surprisingly impressive and undeniably cute.
8. Little Amerricka (Marshall)
Buckle up, buttercup, because Little Amerricka in Marshall is about to take you on a wild ride through a wonderland of whimsy.
This charming amusement park is what happens when trains and carnival rides decide to throw a party together.
The star of the show is the 16-inch gauge railroad that circles the park.
It’s like someone took a regular train, hit it with a shrink ray, and then said, “You know what? Let’s make this fun!”
As you chug along, you’ll pass by other rides and attractions, giving you a bird’s eye view of all the action.
But wait, there’s more!
Little Amerricka also boasts a 2-foot gauge railroad and a miniature railroad.
It’s like a Russian nesting doll of trains.
You half expect to find a microscopic train running around the park if you look close enough.
9. Whiskey River Railway (Marshall)
Just when you thought Marshall couldn’t get any more train-tastic, along comes the Whiskey River Railway.
Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t a booze cruise on rails (although that does sound like a million-dollar idea).
This quarter-scale railroad takes you on a mile-long journey through Little Amerricka’s back forty.
It’s like someone shrunk down the Wild West and plopped it right in the middle of Wisconsin.
As you rumble along the tracks, you’ll cross bridges, chug through tunnels, and maybe even spot a (miniature) tumbleweed or two.
The best part? The locomotives are exact replicas of their full-sized counterparts, just small enough to make you feel like you’ve suddenly grown into a giant.
It’s like “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid,” but with less Rick Moranis and more choo-choos.
10. Green County Model Railroad Club (Monroe)
Last stop on our whimsical Wisconsin train tour is the Green County Model Railroad Club in Monroe.
This is where train enthusiasts go to geek out, and even if you don’t know your HO scale from your N scale, you’re in for a treat.
Picture this: a room filled with meticulously crafted miniature worlds, each one a perfect little slice of Americana.
It’s like someone took Norman Rockwell paintings, shrunk them down, and added trains.
You’ll find yourself peering into tiny towns, marveling at minuscule mountains, and maybe even spotting a few mini-mysteries (Is that a tiny bigfoot hiding in those trees?).
The attention to detail is mind-boggling.
It’s like a “Where’s Waldo?” book come to life, except instead of looking for a guy in a striped shirt, you’re trying to spot all the clever little scenes the club members have hidden throughout the layouts.
So there you have it, folks – ten terrific train trips to tickle your fancy and fuel your wanderlust.
Plot your path to adventure!
This map is your key to smooth travels and exciting discoveries.
Wisconsin’s railway attractions are sure to have you whistling a happy tune all the way home.
All aboard for adventure!