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About Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad runs historic passenger trains along a 26‑mile corridor centered in Trego, Wisconsin, linking Spooner and Hayward with a stop at Springbrook. The line offers dinner trains, bed‑and‑breakfast trains and scenic sightseeing tours, allowing guests to travel through northern Wisconsin’s forested landscape while enjoying restored passenger cars such as the 1914 Pullman business car “Allen L.
History
The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is founded on April 1 1997 as a heritage‑rail line centered in Trego, Wisconsin. From its inception the company operates a historic passenger service that includes dinner trains, bed‑and‑breakfast trains, and scenic sightseeing tours. No additional ownership changes, revivals, or fire incidents are recorded in the available sources.
The Trains
The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad runs a 26‑mile standard‑gauge line between Spooner, Wisconsin and Hayward, Wisconsin, with passenger service also stopping at Springbrook, Wisconsin. Its diesel roster includes GE 50‑ton prototype LS&M #41 (built 1941), Alco C424 WGN #314, EMD F7s WGN #423 and WGN #1950/1951, EMD SW1s WGN #600, #862 and #891, EMD SW600 WGN #1280, GP35Ms WGN #1386‑#1388, SD40‑2 WGN #6006, and rebuilt Alco S2M WGN #8760, plus the Mark Twain Zephyr cars CB&Q #9903 “Injun Joe,” WGN #500 “Effie Dean,” WGN #506 “Becky Thatcher,” WGN #551 “Huckleberry Finn,” and WGN #573 “Tom Sawyer.” Passenger equipment features Pullman business car WGN #1 “Allen L. Vreeland,” Budd RDC‑1 WGN #8, sleeper “Namekagon Dreams” WGN #9, dining cars WGN #100 “Amnicon Falls”/“Manitou Falls,” WGN #300 “Copper Falls”/“Morgan Falls,” and the 64‑seat diner WGN #32 “Apostle Isle,” among numerous restored coaches, cabooses, and specialty cars used on its dinner, bed‑and‑breakfast, and sightseeing trains.
Nearby
The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad runs scenic excursions through the north woods — plan an unhurried half-day for the trip.
Where to Stay
Bookings made through this map support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Book tours & activities near Trego
Pre-book guided tours and things to do around the area.
Bookings made through these links support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
More in Wisconsin
All train rides in Wisconsin →Train Types in Wisconsin
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