Dells MINIRAMA Wanting information

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am looking for people who remember the Wisconsin Dells attarction known as the MINIRAMA. It was an O scale diorama of the Dells, with boats and trains. It was in existence from 1960 thru 1969. I am looking for home movies, slides, trains, buildings,etc. as I continue my research into this great diorama. I also own some of the trains, etc. from the diorama, and thus my research into the subject. Please help if you can!

2

Try the link below. The Wisconcin Historical Society has pictures for sale.

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=53855

Bob

3

Yes, and thanks. I have done research at the WHS, and have a few of the pictures, which is why the State posted them for other possible interested people. Some of the pictures depict some of my MINIRAMA collection.

Jeff

4

Around 1965 or so Model Railroader had a major article on Minirama. The focus was on the kind of wear and tear a constantly running exhibition layout’s equipment undergoes. For whatever reason the website’s index of magazines does not come up with the article however.

What I remember from the article is that the boats moved in the water.

Dave Nelson

5

Using “Minirama” in the Title Text search brings up the June 1965 issue of Model Railroader.

http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=G&cmdtext=minirama&MAG=ANY

6

Thanks Dave: The article you are referring to was in the June 1965 issue of M-R. The issue had a great color picture of the MINIRAMA on the cover of that issue, and an inside article about the wear and tear of the engines/trains as they had many miles on them in their ten years of operation!

As for the boats, yes they did move up and down the river! A very ingenious underwater locomotive was built which operated on tracks in the bottom of the “river”. The boats were towed on the surface by these locomotives under the water. The underwater locomotives were made of brass, and operated on 14-18 volts AC.

Also, RMC magazine did an article in March of 1965.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

7

Thanks for the tip. However, as you will read I do have the June 1965 issue of M-R. I appreciate your response to help me out!!

Thanks,

Jeff