Fennimore, WI
Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum
4.6· 97 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-25- TypeSeasonal railroad museum with a public 15-inch-gauge youth miniature ride
- LocationFennimore, WI
- Rating4.6 ★97 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Operating windowMuseum open May 23-October 25
About Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum
Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum is a volunteer-supported nonprofit museum in a former city power and utility building remodeled to resemble a turn-of-the-century depot. Its railroad story centers on the narrow-gauge Fennimore-Woodman line remembered as the Dinky, while its broader collection includes railroad artifacts, model trains, early household items, farm tools, military material, and local history. South of the museum, the separate operational Wilkinson Railroad gives weather-permitting miniature-train rides to youth on Saturdays and Sundays during the published 2026 season.
Plan a Fennimore Railroad Museum Visit
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies with children and miniature-railway enthusiasts
Ride the youth miniature train
Use the exact remaining Saturday-Sunday calendar, then call for weather because no departure times or online inventory are published.
Railfans, local-history travelers, and school-age visitors
Trace the Dinky's local role
Connect the display locomotive, telegraph and ticketing artifacts, photographs, and models with the line that linked Fennimore and Woodman.
Equipment-focused visitors and multigenerational groups
Compare current ride power with display steam
The diesel pulls the outdoor train; the indoor miniature steam locomotive demonstrates its motion using compressed air, and the 1907 Davenport is a static representative display.
Regional-history travelers and adults planning a half-day extension
Extend the history day to Potosi
Make a separate drive to the National Brewery Museum for breweriana, transportation history, and Great River Road interpretation when time permits.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- 2026 seasonMuseum open May 23-October 25
- Museum hoursWednesday noon-4 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; October Saturdays and Sundays only
- Remaining ride calendar18 Saturday-Sunday dates from August 29 through October 25
- Ride audienceThe current official page specifically advertises miniature train rides for youth
- WeatherRides are weather permitting; call before a long trip
- Ride chargeThe current 2026 section says a small fee; no exact current amount is safely established
- Museum admissionNo set museum admission fee; donations support operations and maintenance
- TicketingNo online booking or departure inventory is published; use the official page and pay the ride fee onsite
- RailwayOperational 15-inch-gauge miniature railway with 700 feet of outdoor track south of the museum
- Building accessOfficial page describes the museum building as handicap accessible and lists a bus unloading zone; train boarding is not documented
- Call aheadCall 608-822-6144 for weather, accommodations, or a long-distance visit
- Address610 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore, WI 53809
Find the Depot
The Trains
The operational Wilkinson Railroad has a depot, engine barn, water tower, gondola, two hopper cars, coach, two engines, and caboose. The official page says a diesel locomotive pulls the outdoor public train. A miniature 4-4-0 steam locomotive is displayed inside and runs on compressed air to demonstrate moving parts; it is not current ride power. A separate 1907 Davenport 2-6-0 and tender stand on the museum grounds as a locomotive similar in size and appearance to the original Dinky. The original Dinky locomotive is owned by the City of Pioche, Nevada, and displayed there.
History
The narrow-gauge line remembered as the Dinky began operating between Fennimore and Woodman.
Chicago & North Western acquired the larger 92-mile narrow-gauge system that included the Fennimore-Woodman segment.
Most of the system was converted to standard gauge, while the Fennimore-Woodman line remained narrow gauge.
The Davenport 2-6-0 now displayed on the museum grounds dates to 1907 and represents the original Dinky in general size and appearance.
The Dinky's Fennimore-Woodman service ended after nearly five decades.
See full history
The narrow-gauge Dinky ran from Fennimore through Werley to Woodman from 1878 to 1926. The Wisconsin historical-marker text describes a 16-mile daily Green River Valley service carrying passengers, mail, milk, livestock, and freight. It was the remnant of a 92-mile system acquired by the Chicago & North Western in 1880; the rest was converted to standard gauge in 1882. Today's museum interprets that history from a former municipal power and utility building remodeled as a depot, with a replica platform that incorporates brick from the original Fennimore depot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum?
The visitor address is 610 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore, Wisconsin 53809. The museum phone is 608-822-6144.
When is the museum open in 2026?
The season runs May 23 through October 25. Hours are Wednesday noon-4 p.m. and Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; in October the museum is open Saturdays and Sundays only.
When do miniature train rides run?
The current page advertises rides on Saturdays and Sundays through October 25, weather permitting. It does not publish exact departure times, so call before a long drive.
Who are the rides for?
The current official 2026 wording specifically says miniature train rides are offered for youth. Do not assume an adult-rider policy without calling the museum.
How much does the ride cost?
The current 2026 section says only that a small fee applies. A lower undated section says $1, but that amount is not safely established as the current 2026 fare.
How much is museum admission?
There is no set museum admission fee. Donations are appreciated and support museum operations and maintenance.
Is the public train steam-powered?
No current steam operation is advertised. The official page says the diesel locomotive pulls the outdoor train. The miniature 4-4-0 steam locomotive is indoors and uses compressed air to demonstrate moving parts.
Is the displayed 1907 locomotive the original Dinky?
No. The 1907 Davenport 2-6-0 is similar in general appearance and size. The official page says the original Dinky is owned by the City of Pioche, Nevada, and displayed there.
Is the museum accessible?
The official page describes the museum building as handicap accessible and lists a bus unloading zone. It does not establish accessible train boarding, so call 608-822-6144 for ride-specific needs.
How should I pair Fennimore with the National Brewery Museum?
Treat Potosi as a separate half-day extension. The straight-line separation is about 21.7 miles and actual rural-road travel is longer, so protect the train's weekend weather window first.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 25, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Current official museum page for 2026 season, hours, youth rides, weather, fees, address, phone, building access, collection, equipment, and history boundaries
- Official Dinky gallery for the 1878-1926 operating span and Fennimore-Werley-Woodman route
- Official Wisconsin historical-marker PDF for the 16-mile service, traffic, Green River Valley route, 1880 acquisition, and 1882 standard-gauge boundary
- Licensed exact 2012 museum exterior and CC BY 3.0 rights record
- Public-domain January 1905 Fennimore Sanborn map rights record
- Public-domain September 1912 Fennimore Sanborn map rights record
- Licensed 2009 downtown Fennimore contextual image and CC BY-SA 3.0 rights record
- Licensed 2009 Fennimore welcome-sign contextual image and CC BY-SA 3.0 rights record
