Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
4.4· 705 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeFamily-owned dining, sightseeing, holiday, and overnight passenger railroad in Northwest Wisconsin
- LocationTrego, WI
- Rating4.4 ★705 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Typical rideMost sightseeing, pizza, wine, and Santa trains are about 2 hours; dinner is about 2.5 hours
About Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is a family-owned and operated passenger railroad based at Trego Depot since 1997. Its two-hour round trips currently run north from Trego to the Bean Brook Trestle and return to the same depot. The schedule spans family pizza and sightseeing rides, four-course dinner trains, adults-only wine service, holiday trains, and an unusual moving bed-and-breakfast experience in private sleeper accommodations.
Choose a Wisconsin Great Northern Train
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, first-time riders, and railfans
Take a classic sightseeing round trip
Ride two hours from Trego Depot to Bean Brook Trestle and back, with live dates on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through October 31.
Families, couples, celebrations, and food-focused travelers
Make the train the dining room
Choose a casual family pizza train or reserve a four-course evening dinner in vintage passenger equipment.
Couples and adult overnight travelers
Sleep aboard the moving train
Book a 21+ deluxe queen sleeper with a private bath, evening departure, four-course dinner, quiet hours, and hot breakfast.
Railfans, history travelers, and multigenerational groups
Pair two Northwest Wisconsin railroad stories
Drive into Spooner for Railroad Memories Museum's thirteen-room collection in the 1902 Omaha depot when its seasonal hours align.
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
- Remaining 2026 calendarSeven product groups across 234 product dates and 270 scheduled sessions from August 25 through December 20; live availability changes
- RouteRound trip from Trego Depot north to Bean Brook Trestle and back; current passenger service does not run the full Spooner-Hayward line
- Ride lengthMost sightseeing, pizza, wine, and Santa trains are about 2 hours; dinner is about 2.5 hours
- Sightseeing fares$30 adults; $22 children ages 2-12; current Thursday-Saturday departures through October 31
- Family Pizza fares$42 ages 13+; $34 ages 2-12; under 2 free on a lap; personal pizza and first beverage included
- Dinner Train$105 per person; four-course meal; gratuity not included; 5:30 p.m. departure on listed dates
- Bed & Breakfast Train$499 per couple or $399 single; deluxe queen sleeper with private bath, four-course dinner, and hot breakfast; ages 21+
- Wine trains$75 per person; ages 21+; Sky Parlour upper deck requires stairs
- Ticket pickupArrive at least 30 minutes before departure; food trains require advance reservations and other trains may be cancelled without reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair accommodations require advance arrangement; Sky Parlour upper deck is stair-only; dinner accessibility is in the club car with accessible restroom
- RestroomsAll trains have restrooms; use the depot facilities before boarding when practical
- AddressN6639 Dilly Lake Road, Trego, WI 54888
Find the Depot
The Trains
Current consists can vary and substitutions are permitted. The railroad uses vintage passenger cars adapted for sightseeing, meal, lounge, and overnight service. The Sky Parlour is an upper-level lounge reached only by stairs. Deluxe overnight accommodations include a queen bed and private bath. The 1935 Budd-built Mark Twain Zephyr arrived in 2020 for restoration; the operator now says it is coming in 2027, so it must not be represented as a 2026 ride option.
History
Budd built the articulated Mark Twain Zephyr for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
Wisconsin Great Northern began its family-owned passenger-railroad operation in Northwest Wisconsin.
The complete Mark Twain Zephyr arrived at Wisconsin Great Northern for restoration.
The operator's current homepage targets 2027 for the Mark Twain Zephyr; this is a future statement, not a 2026 operating promise.
See full history
Wisconsin Great Northern has been family owned and operated since 1997. It purchased and rehabilitated part of the former Chicago & North Western route between Spooner and Hayward and now boards passenger trips at Trego. The current excursion route reaches Bean Brook Trestle before returning to the depot. In 2020, the railroad acquired the complete 1935 Mark Twain Zephyr, a rare Budd shovel-nose articulated streamliner, and began a multi-year restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad depart?
All passenger trains depart and return to Trego Depot at N6639 Dilly Lake Road, Trego, Wisconsin. The current passenger route runs north to Bean Brook Trestle, not the full Spooner-Hayward line.
What trains still run in 2026?
The reconciled live calendar includes Family Pizza, Sightseeing, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Sky Parlour Wine & Cheese, Santa Pizza, and Holiday Wine trains from August 25 through December 20. Availability changes on the booking page.
How long are the rides?
Sightseeing, pizza, wine, and Santa trips are generally two hours. Dinner trains are about 2.5 hours. The Bed & Breakfast is an overnight experience with dinner and breakfast.
How early should I arrive?
Plan to pick up tickets at least 30 minutes before departure. Trains run rain or shine and do not hold for late arrivals.
Are reservations required?
Advance reservations are required for food trains and strongly suggested for sightseeing. The operator may cancel a train that has no reservations.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Some accommodations can be arranged in advance. The dinner train uses the club car with an accessible restroom, while the Sky Parlour upper deck requires stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. Call 715-635-3200 before purchase.
Can I bring food, alcohol, or a pet?
No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed. Smoking is prohibited onboard. Pets are not permitted; trained service dogs are accepted under the operator's ADA policy with advance reservation.
Is the Mark Twain Zephyr operating?
No. Wisconsin Great Northern is restoring the 1935 streamliner and its current homepage says it is coming in 2027. It is not advertised as a 2026 ride option.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Ticket sales are final unless the railroad cancels or reschedules the trip. Review the current policy before purchase.
How should I pair the train with Railroad Memories Museum?
The museum is a short drive into Spooner and is open seasonally through Labor Day, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday. Protect the train's boarding time and confirm museum admission and hours by phone.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage and train directory for current experiences, ownership, contact, booking, and Mark Twain Zephyr 2027 notice
- Official 2026 brochure for schedules, fares, inclusions, durations, and accessibility notes
- Live FareHarbor calendars for every remaining 2026 product date and departure-session reconciliation
- Official route page for Trego Depot, Bean Brook Trestle, round-trip operation, and the broader Spooner-Hayward line boundary
- Official policies for sales, weather, reservations, ticket pickup, substitutions, payment, quiet hours, restrooms, food, smoking, pets, and service dogs
- Official product pages for current fares, inclusions, age limits, duration, and accessibility
- Official contact page for Trego address and phone
- Official Mark Twain Zephyr page for 1935 Budd history, 2020 arrival, and restoration status
- Licensed Wisconsin Great Northern and historical passenger-car image sources
