Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission News

WRRTC Members Tour Boscobel - Arena Segment

November 9, 2007 - Members of the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission, Wisconsin DOT staff, county and city officials were once again invited on board Wisconsin & Southern Railroad's theater car to inspect track conditions and to see up-close, new businesses that have located on its rail lines. This time, the train departed Boscobel and traveled east about 40 miles to Arena.
WRRTC members arrive in Boscobel via motorcoach from Arena.

The Boscobel Chamber of Commerce held a reception in the restored depot and allowed guests to tour the museum housed inside. Afterward, WRRTC members held their meeting at the nearby Boscobel Hotel.
WSOR Trainmaster Don Pingel (in orange vest) speaks with Commission members at Boscobel.

Following the meeting, the Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR) train crew greeted WRRTC members at the depot, who then boarded the train.
The inspection train is ready to board at the Boscobel Depot.

One highlight of the trip was an up-close look at the new Olson Brothers grain elevator just west of Boscobel. This facility was built on the rail line in order to take advantage of bulk movements of grain in 50-car "unit trains". This increased efficiency gives farmers a better price for their product and gives better access to markets in Chicago and the Twin Cities, as well as on-line, local markets.
The new Olson Brothers grain facility near Boscobel has two tracks to store nearly 100 grain cars.

New track and bridge replacement near the Olson Brothers grain facility west of Boscobel.

Departing Boscobel eastbound, the inspection train travelled over track in need of upgrades to better handle the new traffic from Olson Brothers and other new shippers in the area. Seeing these track conditions first-hand allows WRRTC members to report back to their county boards how their investment in preserving and rehabilitating freight rail lines in their counties attracts new industry and allows business to stay competitive in world markets.

WSOR President Bill Gardner narrates the trip as the train crosses the Wisconsin RIver at Spring Green.

While this particular segment of track will not see major rehabilitation for a few more years, plans in 2008 call for 21 miles of new, continuous welded rail to be laid and thousands of new ties to be installed in areas between Horicon and Hartford, Milton and Madison, and in areas in Janesville and Waukesha.

Recent track realignment in Mazomainie was completed to make room for the new promonade at right. This view is from the cab of the locomotive.

Previous inspection trip reports can be read here and here.

Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission
719 Pioneer Tower
One University Plaza
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818
608-342-1057
info@wrrtc.org