Wisconsin Dells MINIRAMA

Minirama. So that's what it was called. I remember seeing it in 1959/1960. I never knew the name of the place. I consulted The Google and came across some good pictures.

MINIRAMA was opened for the first time in 1960, and closed after the 1969 season.  Everything was sold off. It was known as the Wisconsin Dells MINIRAMA, depicting the RR and the scenery of the wonderful Wisconsin Dells formations. I also look for family pictures taken of their visit. Movies or stills of the attraction. Thanks.

Amazing that kids didn't destroy everything.

I visited Minirama in the 1967.  Behind the scenes the Minirama had a hidden staging yard where the trains advanced in position for their next run out into the display area.  As I recall there were several trains staged for each direction on the double track main.  Relays were used to advance the trains incrementally in the staging area.  With each advance the locomotive got a full shot of track voltage.  I recall a magazine article (MR??)discussing the wear and tare this style of operation had on steam locomotive side rods. 

Glad to hear from another person who visited Minirama! I was there in 1963, 1968 and 1969. Took pictures in 1968 & 1969. I am always looking for other peoples pictures they took at the attraction; be they slides, or movies. You are right about the staging area in the back. The trackage was 666 feet, and a continuous loop. There were seven trains in the 30 minute program, and as you say they advanced through the staging area and then came out into the diorama from the right. At that time the sound effects and speech for each particular train would come on via continuous loop tape players. When the train left the diorama it again wound it's way around the staging area, and this time, would enter the diorama from the left, and silently traverse thru the diorama, and then the process started all over again as the trains entered correctly from the right

Anyone with pictures could sure contact me if they wish. And anyone knowing the whereabouts of the Dells Boat House, Hydro electric plant building, or the interesting bridge, I'd really like to track these items down. Always looking for B&W postcards, bumper sticker, etc.

Thanks,

Jeff