Can anyone give me a breakdown of the train related stuff in and around Milwaukee? Looks like there’s a number of museums. Thanks for any recommendations.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Summerfeld's Trains. West Hampton Ave, Butler, WI. West side of Milwaukee. I haven't been back there from Oregon for several years but grew up near there and I would stop in when I'd visit family. I even had them do repairs on my pre war Flying Yankee a couple of years ago. Great people.
Thanx @Trainfamily
Milwaukee still has some train stuff, but nothing like 65 years ago. Milwaukee Road and the North Shore - virtually all remnants are gone now.
Milwaukee use to have a Lot of great Hobby Shops. Many less now, but Sommerfeld's is still there, last time there (a year and a half ago) it had a new owner. (On the way there will probably be driving over the southend of the former CNW yard.) They were the 3R place after Owen Upp went to the big railyard in the sky. Also Hiawatha Hobbies out in Waukesha is great, but not 3R focused. And Walthers (Train Hobby Distributor and Manufacturer) is there, but check if showroom is open before going!
The downtown public library houses the Milw RR archive, but you need to contact them, if you want to use it.
Not sure what your plans are in the area and when you are going, but the Illinois Railway Museum is not that far away. They have added a model railroad building in the last few years. If you are into Trains you need to go there. Although I have moved from WI to NY am still a member. Check schedule before going!
I second Sommerfelds as a great stop. There are still a few old swing bridges in operation, and of course Amtrak comes through if you are looking to railfan with some good viewing on the south side of town on the old MR tracks. The 1003 is up in Hartford at the auto museum as well.
Thanks to all respondents. Staying at Milwaukee Westin, no car, need stuff within walking distance. Open on Sunday a plus.
Hi Mark, A number of years ago, I had some schooling in Milwaukee. It is the home of the Cleaver Brooks Boiler Company. While there, I visited the Milwaukee Railroad Club. It is still in existence in an old Milwaukee Road Station south of the city. I just looked on line and they have contact info there. Its an O scale 2 rail layout but very well done. I remember they accommodated us on a long lunch hour. If you can get there, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Bill
It might be worth a one-day car rental. Sometimes single day weekend rates are low. On the Westin Milwaukee web page it says that the hotel has car rental.
If I were in your position, I'd be at the Illinois Railway Museum (which really impressed me, and which runs trains on weekends) or out in a rent car, hitting all the spots where good photos can be made.
Just a thought . . .
IRM can be kinda dead until Mother's Day. Best weekend in my opinion is Members Weekend, sometime after Labor Day and maybe before Oct. 1. Avoid Thomas Day in August unless you have young kids.
The Milwaukee Lionel Railroad club is worth a visit… it’s in New Berlin. Maybe you could catch an Uber?
@Mark V. Spadaro posted:Thanks to all respondents. Staying at Milwaukee Westin, no car, need stuff within walking distance. Open on Sunday a plus.
I'm saying this to help you, although it will sound quite sarcastic. I lived in Wisconsin most of my life until 2018. I now live in NY. You are going to Milwaukee not NYC on a (Sunday no less) good luck! LOL
Seriously, check to see what museums are open, or if you want see a professional sports game, see if there is one while you are there. You can also walk to the Amtrak Station. If it is warm enough, you can walk down to the lakefront (art museum is there).
I totally understand it depends on the neighborhood and that we can't live in a bubble forever, but in today's crazy world of eruptive violence, is walking around there safe anymore? Just saying I'd be a little bit skeptical. Maybe I'm wrong
If you wanted to Uber it from the hotel (about 30-40 minutes), the East Troy Electric Railroad runs interurbans on the weekends in the warmer months. They haven't posted their 2024 schedule yet but something to keep in mind. It's a small museum and gift shop, and you can ride the trains all day. They run between East Troy and Mukwonago.
Don't forget Walthers if you are so inclined as they are pretty much HO, but of course they will be at Trainfest.
Sommerfelds is the best!! And Jack still owns it, it is not under new management! It was started years ago by his father however.
The O scale club on National Ave. near Allen Bradley is a very old club, in fact the forefathers are who started the NMRA, like Wm. K. Walthers; the mayor of Milwaukee at that time in 1937 when they located at their present site; and of course A.C. Kalmbach ANd their group most likely could have a small display at Trainfest.
And yes if the Lionel CLub of Milwaukee has an open house at night that is a must see.
My two cents.
East Troy is a fun spot. Would also highly recommend Mid-Continent Ry Museum in North Freedom, 45 minutes north of Madison. Would guess about the same transit time as a visit to IL RY Museum. Mid-Continent has a marvelous collection of wood freight and passenger cars and some (presently) static display steam locomotives. Still waiting for the return of 4-6-0 #1385 to operation.
