Lumberjack Steam Train and the Fall Foliage
In Northern Wisconsin, fall has definitely made its arrival with the leaves beginning to shed their beautiful colors. Fall color trees are no doubt most impressive to witness, especially when riding in the cab of a Vulcan built, 1916 steam locomotive.
We head to Laona, Wisconsin as the Lumberjack Steam Train hosted the Saturday Fall Festival. From on board to trackside, you'll see prairie type steam locomotive, 4-spot, in action as it handles the Lumberjack Special on the old Laona and Northern Railway from Camp 5 to Snyder's Landing Depot.
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Laona and Northern, The Lumberjack Steam Train!
In the northwoods of Wisconsin, a small bit of logging history still remains, come along as we take a glimpse at the Laona & Northern Railway in Laona Wisconsin.
Lumberjack Special - Part 1
First visit to the steam-powered Laona & Northern Railway in 1998. Various scenes of the Lumberjack Special steam train on its trip between Laona, Wisconsin (Snyder's Landing Depot) and the Camp Five Museum. The locomotive is the 4 Spot, a 1916 Vulcan 2-6-2; the coaches are ex-Soo Line; the cabooses are ex- Soo and DM&IR. This is a fantastic little railroad and well worth a visit if you are in the area.
A Steam Train Ride In The North Woods - DISCOVERING
Join me as we climb aboard the famed Lumberjack Steam Train for a journey into the late 1800's.
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, an open air observation car and two cabooses.
The 4-spot is the only PRAIRIE style steam locomotive operating in the state of Wisconsin. The PRAIRIE style steam locomotive is a classification based on wheel arrangement. The PRAIRIE style is a 2-6-2, which means there are 2 leading wheels, 6 coupled driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels. The first American Prairie type were built in 1900 by Brook for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad for use in the Mid-West prairies (hence the name). Baldwin also made a number of these engines which were used by the Aitchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe Railroad and also by the Burlington Railroad. A majority of American 2-6-2 Prairie type were tender locomotives.
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. The 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.
In 2008 the Lumberjack Steam Train added a new feature; an old box car originally built by Haskel and Barker in July 1920 and part of the Laona & Northern Railway, has been carefully converted into an open air observation car.
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. 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.
Lumberjack Steam Train
The Lumberjack Steam Train passing by.
Lumberjack Steam Train Arriving at the 1880's 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.
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 4-spot is the only PRAIRIE style steam locomotive operating in the state of Wisconisn. The PRAIRIE style steam locomotive is a classification based on wheel arrangement. The PRAIRIE style is a 2-6-2, which means there are 2 leading wheels, 6 coupled driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels. The first American Prairie type were built in 1900 by Brook for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad for use in the Mid-West prairies (hence the name). Baldwin also made a number of these engines which were used by the Aitchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe Railroad and also by the Burlington Railroad. A majority of American 2-6-2 Prairie type were tender locomotives.
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.
In 2008 the Lumberjack Steam Train added a new feature; an old box car originally built by Haskel and Barker in July 1920 and part of the Laona & Northern Railway, has been carefully converted into an open air observation car.
Learn more at
The Lumberjack Steam Train
How is this one of only two operating standard gauge steam locomotives in the state of Wisconsin? A lovely little line but it's a shame it's in such an obscure location so it's quite the trek to get there. Definitely make sure you have a full day off or two if you want to see this little railway.
Music from Railroad Tycoon II
DVD Preview - Wisconsin Steam Stories
Here is a preview of our DVD featuring steam locomotives in action - all in Wisconsin! There are four chapters on the DVD:
Grand Scale Steam Railways Of Wisconsin - Grand Scale describes a miniature railway large enough for the operator to ride inside the locomotive. This story presents three of the state's Grand Scale railways: the Riverside & Great Northern, the Milwaukee Zoo, and the Whiskey River. These locomotives may be small, but they work and sound like their big brothers. We also explore the history of building Grand Scale equipment in Wisconsin by yesterday's Sandley Works and today's Merrick Light Railway Equipment Works.
261 In Wisconsin - This story covers several trips in different years made by Milwaukee Road 261, focusing primarily on round trips between Milwaukee and New Lisbon. This was home territory for the big Northern when it was still in service for the Milwaukee Road!
Lumberjack Special - The Laona & Northern carries passengers from its hometown to the Camp 5 Museum. Built in 1916 by Vulcan, 2-6-2 number 4 puts on a great show! We cover a day with the locomotive, beginning with the engine crew starting the fire, greasing, washing, then operating out on the line (including a cab ride), and back into the barn for the night.
Soo Line 1003 Photo Freight - 1003 is a 2-8-2 Mikado type locomotive, built in 1913 by the American Locomotive Company. Our two-day photo charter was the last one for 1003 before rebuilding. We had a glorious October weekend. The images of 1003 and her train are stunning as the special worked its way between Hartford and Fairwater on the Wisconsin & Southern. Lots of runbys!
Running time approximately 110 minutes - Multiple tripod-mounted hi-fdef cameras - Minimal narration.
Wisconsin Steam Stories DVD -
Thanks for watching!
Steve Mitchell,
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Lumberjack Steam Train Leaving the Logging Camp 5 Complex
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, an open air observation car and three cabooses.
The 4-spot is the only PRAIRIE style steam locomotive operating in the state of Wisconisn. The PRAIRIE style steam locomotive is a classification based on wheel arrangement. The PRAIRIE style is a 2-6-2, which means there are 2 leading wheels, 6 coupled driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels. The first American Prairie type were built in 1900 by Brook for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad for use in the Mid-West prairies (hence the name). Baldwin also made a number of these engines which were used by the Aitchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe Railroad and also by the Burlington Railroad. A majority of American 2-6-2 Prairie type were tender locomotives.
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. The 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.
In 2008 the Lumberjack Steam Train added a new feature; an old box car originally built by Haskel and Barker in July 1920 and part of the Laona & Northern Railway, has been carefully converted into an open air observation car.
Learn more at
Riding in the cab of the Lumberjack 2,6,2 steam locomotive in Laona,Wisconsin
This steam locomotive was built by the Vulcan Iron works of Wilkes Barre,Pennsylvania, in February,1916 her number is #4
Lumberjack Steam Train Crossing the Rat River
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 4-spot is the only PRAIRIE style steam locomotive operating in the state of Wisconisn. The PRAIRIE style steam locomotive is a classification based on wheel arrangement. The PRAIRIE style is a 2-6-2, which means there are 2 leading wheels, 6 coupled driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels. The first American Prairie type were built in 1900 by Brook for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad for use in the Mid-West prairies (hence the name). Baldwin also made a number of these engines which were used by the Aitchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe Railroad and also by the Burlington Railroad. A majority of American 2-6-2 Prairie type were tender locomotives.
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.
In 2008 the Lumberjack Steam Train added a new feature; an old box car originally built by Haskel and Barker in July 1920 and part of the Laona & Northern Railway, has been carefully converted into an open air observation car.
Learn more at
Lumberjack Steam Train
Video of the Lumberjack Steam Train crossing it's tressel.
A brief tour of Laona, Wisconsin (WIS 32 & US Hwy 8)
Traveling thru Laona, Wi northbound during July of 2013. See portions of Wi Hwy 32 & US Hwy 8, including the location of a former Chicago & Northwestern railroad crossing.
Video continues NB out of Laona for several miles.
Steam train in Laona I
Camp 5 Lumberjack Special at Laona, WI
National Railroad Museum (Part 1)
The Midwestern Paranormal Investigative Network(c) conducted an investigation at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI on February 3rd, 2012.
Canadian National over the Flambeu River, Ladysmith Wi.
4.23.16 Camp Creek State Park lumberjack Contest
What little footage I was able to get while announcing
Local Representatives Issue Statements on Train Derailments
Wisconsin representative Ron Kind issued a statement on this weekend's derailment. State Senator Jennifer Shilling and Representative Jill Billings also released a joint statement.
Riding the Jamestown Steam Train #3
Haven't been on this train since 1885, so to speak. Well, actually, not since September/October 1989 when Back to the Future 3 was in production. Shortly after Doc & Marty visited 2015, they ultimately ended up in 1885 where they took this train....right over a cliff. Good thing it was only a movie.
World's Largest Soup Kettle, Laona Wisconsin
This video is of the world's largest soup kettle. It is located in Laona, Wisconsin.