The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is well worth a visit. These pictures can show only a part of the collection. And it happened to be raining when we visited, so some of them are not as good as I might like.
The operating train consists of a commuter coach and an open car built on a flatcar. Due to the rain, plastic covers are in use.
But the best place to watch this operation is the observation tower. I'd really like to have one of these! It gives you a great view of the property and the surrounding area. It's probably higher than we would need, I think.
In any case, there goes the train!
In any case, there goes the train!
The main display hall has lots of open space, and is often used for private events of various sorts. A Big Boy, a GG-1, and some Pullman cars are the main attractions here.
There are also extensive displays of railroad china, drumheads, and other memorabilia, some of which are changed out periodically.
You can walk up a ramp to view the cab of the Big Boy.
And also the cab of the GG-1.One of the Pullmans.
The Aerotrain is very interesting. They have the locomotive and two of the cars. I remember many years ago, c. 1975, w
hen they were using these silly four-wheel cars for the service train. The ride was terrible, like riding a speeder. You could feel every rail joint. This was supposed to be space-age technology, but in some ways was a big step backwards. In any case, it's a very interesting artifact.
And here's a wooden Russell Plow, for those who are interested in such things.
I talked to Dave Bertrand, the head of the mechanical department. They have two or three full-time employees who do most of the restoration work, plus some which is done by volunteers. He showed us around the shop and some of the equipment.
Dave is very proud of the fine job done on this Burlington obs-lounge-diner. This is used for the Polar Express trains, which are very popular and profitable for the museum.There's a lot more I haven't even touched on. So if you're passing through Green Bay, I can heartily recommend a visit to NRM. The alternative (football) is too revolting to contemplate.
The Aerotrain used a rubber bag suspension, much like a bus or tractor trailer. The air was supplied by the train's air system. This seemed to compound the train's notoriously rough ride, partially caused by each car only having two axles. I bet by the time these cars were being used in the service train, the air suspension was non-operational.
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