I am thinking about this place as a possible vacation spot in the future. Can anyone give me some info on the the Izzak Walton Inn. What’s the deal with all of those cabooses on the side of the hill? Is it a busy line? Is it worth the time? I am also planning on going to Fostoria, Ohio in Fall 2007.
I have never stayed there, but have visited. Lots of trains. Check out this web page for info.
I know that you can rent those cabooses… I think that they are part of the Izak Walton Inn.
CC
Go straight to the source:
Depending upon you normal travel habits you may find the rates very expensive or very reasonable considering all that is offered. I can say it is certainly worth the experience. I do it once a year as a treat and have been treating myself for over 25 years like that.
My Review
The Izaac Walton is perfect place for a railfan, not only do you have the very busy BNSF Seattle-Chicago mainline, the Inn itself has a lot of old photos to look at, a collection of Trains maginzines, and there is someother stuff too. The rooms are clean and in good repair, they are a little on the small side (some are bigger but they cost more I stayed in an Empire Builder room) but I didnt mind. I found my stay there a very pleasurble.
I visited for the first time in October and had a great time. The best seasons for availabilty are spring and fall. Summer is crowded with Glacier Park tourists and winter with skiers.
The railroad is busy. It is two main tracks on concrete ties at Essex, and the two mains continue to Summit, which is 18-20 miles East. Easy photo access Summit and East. I only had half a day so did not scout out Essex to Summit other than to drive US 2.
You will get train noise at the inn. To my surprise was not locomotive noise but flange squeal on the curve immediately East of the inn. Some trains run with helpers, some not. I saw three helper sets in October.
Mac
Each of the 4 cabeese have been made into a cabin, with a knotty pine interior. Very nicely done. My folks were out there a few years ago and brought back photos from inside and outside of the caboose group. They make pretty attractive cabins and I guess they’d be bear proof.
Go to Google Images and put in “Izaak Walton Inn Caboose” You’ll get photos from in the main lodge and inside of a caboose.
When I visited, the rooms had no bathrooms, only a shared bathroom at the end of each hall.
The folks at the IWI did a substantial upgrade to the motel more than 5 years ago. Included were upgrades to the heating system, better handicap access and conversions of the closet in each room into a bathroom with stool and shower. All the new woodwork and plumbing runs were constructed to match the existing materials. The bathrooms on each floor were converted back to sleeping rooms to increase capacity.
There are still not telephones not TVs in any of the rooms but free WiFi works through most of the building and you can rent an automobile at the front desk if you arrive via AMTK.
Progress had not diluted the ambiance of the early 20th century nature of the building.