Wisconsin Dells MINIRAMA

There are plenty of photographs and videos of Minirama all over the internet doing a simple search. This is a sample:

https://www.wisconsinhistory.o...cords?terms=minirama

Wisconsin Dells was my only source for getting real Mexican jumping beans in the 50's. Strange memory!

We lived in Middleton when I was growing up and would periodically go to the Dells. My two strongest memories are Fort Dells (and the infamous Black Bart) and the Minirama. That was the first time I ever saw a red, white, and blue B & A car. I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures.

@Bruce Brown posted:

There are plenty of photographs and videos of Minirama all over the internet doing a simple search. This is a sample:

https://www.wisconsinhistory.o...cords?terms=minirama

Wisconsin Dells was my only source for getting real Mexican jumping beans in the 50's. Strange memory!

Thanks Bruce. Between several pictures from the State of Wis. Hist. Soc. and the rest are mostly all mine when you do a search. Someone did a video using mostly all my stuff and sound files from the library in the Dells. I just continue to search for more photos and movies to add to my collection.

@Jim Brenner posted:

We lived in Middleton when I was growing up and would periodically go to the Dells. My two strongest memories are Fort Dells (and the infamous Black Bart) and the Minirama. That was the first time I ever saw a red, white, and blue B & A car. I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures.

Thanks for your comments. Always interesting to bring up FORT DELLS, long gone as well. I'll have to check if I have that boxcar you speak of in my collection. That was a colorful car and I think many of us liked that color scheme.

For its day Probably, one of the Best 0 scale layouts, ever built.

Nice video!

I strongly think so myself. Especially when you are a teenager at that time and seeing this operation and how many innovations, ( which I later learned of), were thought of to make the whole layout a fantastic experience!

@Jim Brenner posted:

We lived in Middleton when I was growing up and would periodically go to the Dells. My two strongest memories are Fort Dells (and the infamous Black Bart) and the Minirama. That was the first time I ever saw a red, white, and blue B & A car. I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures.

Jim:  This should be the MINIRAMA boxcar you remember from long ago. Hope this brings back memories! This is in my collection.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Jim:  This should be the MINIRAMA boxcar you remember from long ago. Hope this brings back memories! This is in my collection.

How cool! 😊👍⭐️

That's it! Thank you for posting the picture. It really is cool.

Jim

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Jim:  This should be the MINIRAMA boxcar you remember from long ago. Hope this brings back memories! This is in my collection.

Hey Jeff, Et, All.. Train Room Gary said it best! With great content like this please: 😁👇

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

Hey Jeff, Et, All.. Train Room Gary said it best! With great content like this please: 😁👇

Good to know I will try and remember to do that next time!!

@Jim Brenner posted:

That's it! Thank you for posting the picture. It really is cool.

Jim

That cars was always a stand out it is so colorful. Glad I have it from the Minirama too, since I have it in Lionel postwar.

Now if only I could smoke out some more people who took pictures.

What was its (Dell's) peak operation time (years). I had heard of it for years but got there in the fall ten? years ago and did not see much.  Assumed season was over.  But ..there was an article l saw on vanished amusement parks, and have blundered on one...

@colorado hirailer posted:

What was its (Dell's) peak operation time (years). I had heard of it for years but got there in the fall ten? years ago and did not see much.  Assumed season was over.  But ..there was an article l saw on vanished amusement parks, and have blundered on one...

The MINIRAMA started construction in 1959 and opened in 1960 and ran thru 1969.

Cool! 👍👍😎