Home of the Lumberjack Steam Train
LUMBERJACK STEAM TRAIN 2008 SEASON BEGINS JUNE 19TH |
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The Lumberjack Steam Train was not affected by Wisconsin's devastating spring storms, which hit Southern and Central Wisconsin. Laona, in Northern Wisconsin, is having a beautiful summer. |
Make Plans for An Old Fashioned Steam Train Trip
Take the whole family on a trip back in time this vacation with a ride on a vintage steam train. Head for Laona and climb aboard the famed Lumberjack Steam Train for a journey into the late 1800's. Sit in a rare cupola caboose as the vintage steam engine takes you to an actual site of a Northwoods logging camp.
About the Train
The “4-spot” Steam Locomotive was built in 1916 by the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. It was purchased September 22, 1926 and was brought to Laona for use in the logging industry. The steam engine pulls two all-steel passenger coach cars, and three cabooses.
The American Car and Foundry Company built the coach named the “Hamilton Roddis”, in 1923 for the Soo Line.Barney and Smith built the coach named the “Otter Creek” in 1911 also for the Soo Line. It was rebuilt in 1941. Two cabooses have unique cupolas and offer “up in the trees” views of the passing forest. The Camp 7 caboose is an 18 passenger cupola style caboose. It was originally the Duluth, Mesabi, & Iron Range caboose #589. The Camp 5 caboose was Soo Line’s Caboose No. 147.
Laona Soo Line Depot
Visitors board the Lumberjack Steam train at the 1880’s Soo Line Depot, located 1/4 mile West of the junction of Highways 8 & 32 on Highway 8. Inside the depot, tickets can be purchased for the train ride, just as people did at the turn of the century.
The depot has an old fashioned railway clock, roll top desk, early typewriter, and barrel stove. It also has an unusual elm bow, used by passing train conductors to catch dispatches from a depot agent.
Today, a ticket on the Lumberjack Steam Train takes you out to the site of an Old Logging Camp. Lumberjacks numbered their Camps, and this site was the site of Camp 5. Later it became the site of the Lumber Company Farm. Today when you arrive, you find some of the old buildings which were a part of the Lumber Company Farm. There is the old Hog Barn which is now the Petting Corral, the Blacksmith Shop which is now a part of the Museum, and the Old Slaughter House. In the distance is the old Boarding House and several original barns, as well as the "Woods Boss's House".
Your ticket is all inclusive and includes the Round-trip Ride on the Lumberjack Steam Train and admission into the Logging Camp Complex of historic and natural attractions, including the Logging Museum and Blacksmith Shop, Green Treasure Forest Tour, Animal Barn and Corral, the Nature Center, Cracker Barrel Store and Choo Choo Hut Restaurant.
