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The Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum, home of the "Dinky", is located at 610 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore, Wisconsin, in the former city power house and utility building. The building has been remodeled inside and out to resemble a depot of the turn-of-the-century. The replica loading platform is laid with brick from the original depot using just sand and brick --- the way it was originally built. Similar in general appearance and size to the original narrow gauge Dinky, a 1907 Davenport 2-6-0 locomotive was obtained through the efforts of the members of the Fennimore Railroad Historical Society. The Dinky* and tender now reside on the museum grounds. Visit this delightful railroad museum and visit with friendly folks who will help bring this charming part of history alive.
Fennimore's narrow gauge train, affectionately known as the Dinky, operated from 1878 to 1926, far longer than most 3-foot gauge lines in Wisconsin. At a nearby depot, standard and narrow gauge trains exchanged their passengers and freight. Trains ran daily between Fennimore and Woodman by way of Werley, Anderson Mills and Conley Cut, meandering 16 miles through the Green River Valley and serving as a key link to other railroads. The line was famous for a horseshoe curve that made it possible to climb the steep slope from the valley to the ridge west of Fennimore.
The Dinky was noted for its versatility, carrying farmers, fisherman, salesmen and school children, as well as the U.S. mail, milk, livestock and other freight. The narrow gauge line was a remnant of a larger, 92-mile system in southwestern Wisconsin purchased by the Chicago and Northwestern in 1880. All except the Fennimore,Woodman line were converted in 1882 to standard (4-feet 8 1/2-inches) gauge.
Narrow gauge tracks once were scattered across the country, as railroad builders looked for economy in construction and equipment costs to reach remote areas. At the peak of narrow gauge operations, the state had 150 miles, some used in logging operations in northern Wisconsin, now all abandoned.
An operational 15" gauge rail with 700 feet of track sits south of the railroad museum. Scale buildings complete the miniature layout. Rides are available ($1.00 for a train ride) on the 15" miniature train system on weekends and scheduled holidays. (Please call before traveling a long distance.)
This miniature train layout was purchased from the late Vern Wilkinson who spent most of the spare time of his adult life creating the layout. It was Vern's greatest hope to share this system with the public.
The Wilkinson Railroad consists of a depot, engine barn, water tower, gondola, 2 hopper cars, coach, two engines and a caboose. The engines, a diesel locomotive and a 4-4-0 steam locomotive, took up to three years each to build. The diesel locomotive pulls the outdoor train, while the 4-4-0 steam engine is on display inside the museum. It is set up on a trestle using compressed air to show how moving parts of a steam engine operate. A steam boiler is set up to show how it is constructed. Other displays include patterns used for casting the various parts for the equipment.
Learn more about this city
City of FENNIMORE, WI official site
City of FENNIMORE, WI chamber of commerce
City of FENNIMORE, WI general info
City of FENNIMORE, WI yellow pages
City of FENNIMORE, WI newspaper
County of JEFFERSON, WI official site