ablemann

Although the power still waves the CNW flag, This is really the Twin-Cities to Chicago day train, operated by the MadCow. Note the UP inspired paint scheme on the first sleeper. This car is lettered for the CNW.

A 'pure' CNW F7A leads a sister and a GP-9 westbound at Ablemann. These units are starting to get the MCOW re-stenciling.

Ole' Joe Miller really knew how to go in style. This truss-rod equipped Observation car was the finest of it's day. The Miller Bros. Wild West Show travelled the U.S. putting on authentic "Cowboy and Indian" performances. The car is on it's way to the museum at Baraboo.

Crawling down the rocks at Ablemann has it's advantages. I was amazed at the condition of these old coaches, having been built in the 1800's. Through the years, it took a ton of TLC to insure these cars made it to our generation.

While these cars are still incredible shape, special FRA waivers were required to move them from one carrier to another. The cars will be stored in a special building in Baraboo.

On a tip, I made my way to the high Bridge at Ablemann to see something I was told "one doesn't see everyday". Imagine my surprise when a couple of MadCow geeps rolled onto the bridge with WOODEN parlor cars!!!

While most of the retired Strates' cars are coaches, These two heavyweight observations made a beautiful sight! The cars were in storage in Florida and were donated to the Baraboo museum when the owner of them passed.

Still wearing the old CNW freight scheme, F7A 4083 leads a train of retired James E. Strates carnival cars over the Ablemann high bridge.

Employess of the Madison Central of Wisconsin Ry. enjoy a Saturday excursion over the newly acquired Reedsburg sub. Managment runs the special train seen here at the Ablemann High Bridge.

Ex-CNW 1203 gets into position for spotting the empties arriving from the west. The GP-30 & GP-9 are now owned by the Madison Central of Wisconsin, a private entity.

Bluffs are painted. Track is painted and ballasted. All it needs now is vegetation and details.

A light black wash has been applied to carvings.

Carving begins for the quarry diorama at Ablemann.

New owner Madison Central of Wisconsin is under control of the Ex-CNW Madison Division. Five brothers from Baraboo Wisconsin have purchased the line and a large assortment of equipment. Here a MadCow SD50 and SD40T-2 arrive at Ablemann with an empty rock train for loading.

Ex-CNW GP35 and F7A units are hard at work on the new Madison Central of Wisconsin or "MadCow Route". As part of the purchase agreement, MCoW agreed to provide trackage rights to the Ablemann Quarry for three years. Thus providing the CNW with the famous "pink lady" ballast.

A CNW GP-30 and an NW pull bad orders from the quarry at Ablemann. A sure sign that we'll see the commuter F's in freight service soon!!