Located at County Road in Wisconsin Dells, the Riverside and Great Northern Preservation Society allows visitors the unique opportunity to chug through the scenic locales on a quaint old-world steam engine.
The Riverside and Great Northern Railway began as a demonstration railway for the steam engines produced by Elmer Sandley and his son Norman in the late 1940s. The 15" gauge railway is now used for recreational trips which last for a duration of 30 minutes each. The mile and a half long rail route weaves through the canyons, pristine wilderness and exquisite rock formations. Visitors can also view the locomotive being turned by hand on a turntable and finally roll to a halt at the Hyde Park depot where the majestic engine is turned again, as it prepares for yet another exciting journey, while cooling down with water from the traditional water tower.
You can even register as a member of the Riverside and Great Northern Preservation Society to participate in the array of events the society conducts. From Christmas and Halloween specials, a free pass to the railroad rides and even a 10% discount on all the merchandise sold at the gift shop, the opportunities and vast and very exciting. What's more, you can even train to become a conductor or an engineer under the expert eyes of professionals, if you are so inclined!
The society is also in the process of upgrading the roadbed. You can contribute towards this effort with donations of $100, to have your name engraved in a tie which will be used in the roadbed. The Gift Shop is a treasure trove of railroad themed memorabilia. Here, you can expect to find engineers' hats, working model train sets and even Tank Engine Toys, some of which are no longer in production.
Tickets are priced at about $10 per person, which special discounts for children and seniors. For further information, you can refer to the website http://www.randgn.com or call the Riverside and Great Northern Preservation Society at (608) 254-6367.
The Riverside and Great Northern Preservation Society
N115 County Road N
Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
