WSOR News Archive

 Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Celebrates 25 Years

WSOR SD40-2 4025 received a commemorative paint scheme, designed by several employees, to honor WSOR's 25th Anniversary. WSOR photo.

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co. (WSOR) celebrated its 25 Year Anniversary on Saturday, July 23, 2005 with over 5,000 people in attendance and plenty of locomotives and railroad equipment to see. Featured, and undoubtedly the Main Attraction, were free train rides offered to members of the public.

A total of eight roundtrip train rides were given throughout the day, beginning in Madison at WSOR Johnson Street Yard and traveling to Waunakee. The train set consisted of a diesel-electric locomotive pulling three bi-level commuter coach cars. Each train ride, which had a capacity of nearly 500 people, was booked to capacity.

Visiting steam locomotive SOO 1003 helped WSOR celebrate its 25th Anniversary at Madison, WI on July 23, 2005. WSOR photo.


Passengers board WSOR cars at the Madison yard for a free ride to Waunakee as part of the 25th Anniversary celebration. Pat Weeden photo.
The SOO 1003 Steam Locomotive, based out of Hartford, WI, made its presence known. SOO 1003 was moving freight cars and a caboose, back and forth between the Johnson Street Yards and Monona Bay, providing for great photo opportunities for everyone as well as a special cab ride for a limited number of people.

On static display was the WSOR 4025 25th anniversary commemorative locomotive along with several WSOR freight cars, including two business cars and the 10A locomotive. In addition, there was equipment used for maintaining the railroad corridors as well as historic railroad motorcars on display.

To compliment its community activities on this momentous day, the WSOR asked members of the public to bring non-perishable food items for donation to local food pantries in the Madison area. “The outpour of donations for our food drive was fantastic,” said Don Cesar, Facilities Manager for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. “At the end of the day, nearly eight fifty-gallon drums full of food donations were hauled away by the food pantry,” he added.

Food and refreshments were provided by the Boy Scouts of America “Venturing Crew 11,” concentrating in the study area of Archeology. Every dollar generated by the Boy Scouts of America goes towards purchases of equipment, supplies, and trips for their archeological endeavors. The WSOR Company Store was open with shirts, hats, models and other items available for sale. Other booths included Operation Lifesaver, Trains Magazine, as well as a booth devoted to showcasing railroad photography.

Steam locomotive SOO 1003 chuffs along John Nolen Drive in Madison as part of WSOR's 25th Anniversary celebration, July 23,2005. WSOR photo.

Aside from train rides, static displays, and informational booths, this celebration gave the public an opportunity to see first hand the happenings in and around the Johnson Street yards in Madison, which is usually closed to the public for safety reasons.

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co. began freight service back in 1980 as a 150-mile shortline carrier, eventually operating several other former Milwaukee Road branchlines that were purchased by the State of Wisconsin. The Grand Opening of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad was held at the Horicon Depot on July 26, 1980.

25 Years of Railroad Operations is an extraordinary milestone in today’s railroad industry and we are happy to celebrate this special occasion with the people in our communities,” stated William Gardner, president of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad.