I’m heading to Milwaukee for the long weekend and was hoping for some suggestions on railroad/model railroad sites. I plan to visit Walthers and also the railroad museum in Green Bay but didn’t know of anything else railroad-related to see. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Brad
HI THERE
Hobby shops in the area are
Sommerfeld’s train in Butler, WI
Greenfield News & Hobby in Greenfield, Wi
Jetco’s Hiawatha hobbies in Waukesha, Wi
all these shops are within 30miles or less from downtown Milwaukee,Wi
We also have Two Museums in downtown Milwaukee one is Art, the other one is regular.
We also have three Micro Brew companies LAKEFRONT, SPRECHER, and WATERSTREET .
There is also Miller Brewery.
I hope this helps.
And IIRC, Kalmbach may still have a tour if you call ahead. They are located in Waukesha.
Jim
Wathers has there headquarters in Milwaukee they have a showroom and layout
It’s about a hour and a half drive…but Madison is having the Train show…
The Amtrak depot downtown might be of interest from a railfannng perspective. Not much outdoor railfanning is done in the winter but if you can google map your way to Duplainville where the CP mainline (former Milwaukee Road) crosses the CN main (former Soo Line) there is good parking on Marjean Road nearby. Do not attempt to go to the diamond or you will be detained by the authorities very likely. Railfanning the UP at Butler Yard is a bit more difficult (it is however very near the Sommerfeld’s train shop mentioned above). There is a good place to eat at the Butler Inn if you like pub food.
The Walthers showroom hours Saturday are 9 to 1. It is unlikely that many folks would be at Kalmbach on Saturday, but Friday or Monday are possibilities if it is an extended weekend. Kalmbach is not too far from Duplainville mentioned above.
Sunday the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division of the NMRA is having its monthly meet in Brookfield and all are welcome, including non NMRA members. There are clinics, a contest, swap meet and layout tours afterwards. http://www.wisedivision.org/
Friday night is Program Night at MSOE downtown, a free presentation with a slide show about the Soo Line. Info is here:
http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=17556
The Grohmann art museum at MSOE is showing David Plowden’s magnificent bridge photographs. Mr Plowden was there a few weeks ago for an unforgettable evening of discussion about photography and the bridges.
The list of hobby shops above omitted South Side Trains on Howell Avenue.
http://www.southsidetrains.com/
Personally I do most of my buying at the Walthers showroom – ordinarily I’d be happy to show you around Milwauk
I just wish the Madison train show was next month when I will be there