mjm458%uiucuxa@Uiuc.ARPA (Michael John Mrazek) (08/05/85)
/* Written 9:44 am Jul 26, 1985 by mjm458@uiucuxa.Uiuc.ARPA in uiucuxa:net.railroad */ /* ---------- "Soo - passenger railroad?" ---------- */ Rumor has it that one can ride in the caboose of a Soo train, if one makes reservations. Can anyone give more information? It would be interesting to try it sometime! Thanks. <The Ghost Rider> /* End of text from uiucuxa:net.railroad */
Chuck.Weinstock@cmu-sei.arpa (08/05/85)
You can buy a ticket from either Neenah, WI or Rhinelander, WI to Sault Saint Marie. I don't know the timings or cost. As I recall the freight leaves Neenah early in the morning, and arrives in SOO late in the day. I also recall that the fare is cheap. The only other thing to be aware of is the need to make somewhat advance reservations. I understand that they only accept one passenger per trip. There was an article about this on the front page of the Wall Street Journal not too long ago. Chuck
dave@uwmcsd1.UUCP (Dave Rasmussen) (08/05/85)
I've been meaning to ride the caboose of the Soo since I was a little kid, when we had a lake cottage about a mile from the Soo's Rhinelander to Escanaba route. I plan to do so every summer and just never get to it. I DO want to get to it now before they upgrade the line and eliminate cabooses, heaven forbid! (I have seen various SOO trains lately without cabooses, but I would suspect they would have one on this lengthy run.) I have the following info that I wrote down in 1980: Fondulac Station Master: Harry Ellison, 715-344-4821 4820 Neenah depot: 414-722-4291 (could be 4281) Assuming you drive in from the South on highway 41 take the 114 exit east to the first set of tracks (other set is C&NW I think). Go two blocks to the right on Henry Street and then right. Assuming these directions are still correct, you should be at the Neenah station. I think the price was something like $13.50 back then from Neenah to Escanba. I was under the impression that they WOULD NOT carry passengers between Rhinelander and the east, but that may have changed. I also heard that sometimes they let you ride up front in the second engine. If only we still had passenger service in this state besides Amtrak. Maybe the new Soo-Milwaukee system can start serving delicious french toast as the old Soo did in days of past (doubtful). If anyone finds out more info on this excursion please send me mail. Dave Rasmussen, train buff/student/unix programmer
tanner@ki4pv.UUCP (Tanner Andrews) (08/09/85)
The reason for the 1 passenger/trip restriction is that there are two seats in the cupola (where people sit). The condutor rides in one of them. -- <std dsclm, copies upon request> Tanner Andrews, KI4PV uucp: ...!decvax!ucf-cs!ki4pv!tanner