in Northwest Wisconsin,
where the air is so fresh, here in the legendary Northwoods.
We're about to introduce you to a determined family
that never says "we can't."
And over the last 25 years, they have created
some of the most unique rail venues in North America.
-Thank you. [ Indistinct conversations ]
-Dining, lounge, and sleeping cars
bring back fond memories of America's railroad past,
mostly only seen in history books and old movies today.
But a family in the small town of Trego, Wisconsin,
have re-created parts of that era,
along with introducing an array of new venues,
to catch the imagination of current generations.
-What you'll find here at the Wisconsin Great Northern
is absolutely unique in the industry.
Different services, different equipment.
Every time you come back,
I can pretty much guarantee it'll be a different experience.
-Different than any other tourist railroad
in North America
when you experience all the venues they offer,
with wine tastings and a historic dome car,
pizza trains for the kids, fine dining for the adults,
a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast,
and on the horizon are a restoration of a streamliner
that seemed more a sky-flying rocket ship
than railroad-bound.
-People want something unique to experience.
And so that's what we're trying to present to the public,
is a unique opportunity that they can't get anyplace else,
whether it be by the service we provide
or by the equipment that we operate,
that it's different from everybody else.
-The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
has been running since 1997.
In those early days, it was a multitask operation
running on fumes.
-There were times when we just simply didn't have the money,
and she'd sell tickets in the ticket office, hand me
20 bucks out of the till. I'd run to the gas station
and get 15 gallons of diesel fuel,
drive around the back side of the train, and pour it in.
And that was enough to make the trip.
-Sheer persistence helped the railroad grow,
along with the elimination of a certain word.
-There is no such word as "can't."
You may say, "Oh, I can't."
Well, you just find a way to do.
And so it might be a convoluted way of doing something,
but you try your darndest to find a way to get it done.
-I don't recognize the word "can't."
Don't tell me it can't be done
because we'll show you how fast it can be done.
-Greg and Mardell's son, Alexander,
has grown up around trains his whole life,
and because of that, he bluntly dismisses
more popular teen pursuits.
-Cars suck. Trains rule.
And sports are overrated.
All right. We are now coming into the Namekagon River
and Veazie Springs.
-Like his parents,
Alexander wears a lot of hats on this railroad.
Tonight, he's a server and is impressing his guests.
-He was an anomaly.
An amazing young man.
-Yeah, another day of Alexander fan club.
-You see a little bit of that funny, ha-ha sarcasm.
He's always learned sarcasm. He's learned it good.
I like to describe him as my 83-year-old farmer.
He is very straight-faced around people
he doesn't necessarily know.
-Just a sponge.
He just picks up data and information
about the various pieces of equipment
like I can't even imagine.
He knows more about the equipment than I do.
-The family stays very busy doing a variety of jobs
for each of its unique trips.
There is one constant in all of them, though --
experiencing the splendor and beauty of the Great Northwoods.
-You can't beat the view. It's so beautiful in the fall,
especially when the tamaracks start to change.
-Through the pastoral landscape and deep woods, guests
take in all the beauty this trip offers.
One of the favorite spots is so serene and peaceful,
the train comes to a stop to allow all
to take in the natural wonders of the Namekagon River.
-When we stopped at the watershed earlier,
we just thought it was like someone had painted the sky
and the brush.
Like, it was just so beautiful with the sunset
and the moon over top.
I just love every moment of it, honestly.
-And what could add to these moments?
How about a meal prepared
and served in your own private dining room?
-The dinner was amazing.
It was just beyond expectations, honestly,
to get to spend time with family here,
to look out and see this painterly landscape
that just glistens and is golden with autumn light.
I just love every moment of it.
-Fine dining is just one of the many options here
on the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad.
-Here's your pepperoni pizza, Mr. Van Camp.
-Thank you, Jose. The other is their pizza train,
and it is definitely a hit with families.
-It's very unique. The kids love it.
They get to go on a train,
and they get to have their favorite meal.
They are cheeseaholics, being from Wisconsin.
[ Laughs ]
It's very nice to have --
have this here and keep that in our culture.
-Speaking of culture,
the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
also offers a sophisticated wine and cheese pairing trip
aboard the Sky Parlour, a 1956 dome car
that was once part of the famed El Capitan
that operated from Chicago to Los Angeles
on the Santa Fe Railroad.
-It's definitely a rolling piece of history.
It's really neat to be on something like this.
Unique experience, for sure. The wine was great.
The train ride experience was awesome.
-The various train rides run about 2 1/2 hours.
And for many guests, they can't bear to leave.
So leave it to the Wisconsin Great Northern
to offer something for them to stay --
a unique experience with their bed-and-breakfast package,
where delighted travelers ride and dine
and get to sleep overnight in their historic cars.
-It way exceeded my expectations.
It was first-class all the way.
The staff was awesome.
Last night's supper --
The hors d'oeuvres, the drinks, the food was awesome
all the way to the end, to the dessert.
Then we had our own sleeping car.
It was awesome. [ Laughs ]
And it was a queen-sized bed. First-class, first-rate.
-After a restful night's sleep
in one of the beautiful railcar suites,
guests awake to the wonderful smells
of a country cooked breakfast,
compliments of Chef Greg, truly a Renaissance man.
Mmm.
Mmm-mmm-mmm.
-We believe that we are continuing to create the history
of these pieces of rolling stock.
100 years from now, hopefully these cars will still be here
and still be usable because of our efforts.
-Of course I'm proud of all of this.
How could you not be proud of it?
'Cause if I weren't proud of it, I wouldn't be a part of it.
-Thanks to Greg and Mardell and Alexander,
along with the rest of their staff,
you can be a part of something very special --
experiences that are created by a dedicated family,
preserving and presenting many one-of-a-kind railroad journeys
deep in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
?
Next stop takes me hererererererererer deep iof Wisconsin.ods
?
Next stop takes me her in Northwest Wisconsin,
where the air is so fresh, here in the legendary Northwoods.
We're about to introduce you to a determined family
that never says "we can't."
And over the last 25 years, they have created
some of the most unique rail venues in North America.
-Thank you. [ Indistinct conversations ]
-Dining, lounge, and sleeping cars
bring back fond memories of America's railroad past,
mostly only seen in history books and old movies today.
But a family in the small town of Trego, Wisconsin,
have re-created parts of that era,
along with introducing an array of new venues,
to catch the imagination of current generations.
-What you'll find here at the Wisconsin Great Northern
is absolutely unique in the industry.
Different services, different equipment.
Every time you come back,
I can pretty much guarantee it'll be a different experience.
-Different than any other tourist railroad
in North America
when you experience all the venues they offer,
with wine tastings and a historic dome car,
pizza trains for the kids, fine dining for the adults,
a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast,
and on the horizon are a restoration of a streamliner
that seemed more a sky-flying rocket ship
than railroad-bound.
-People want something unique to experience.
And so that's what we're trying to present to the public,
is a unique opportunity that they can't get anyplace else,
whether it be by the service we provide
or by the equipment that we operate,
that it's different from everybody else.
-The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
has been running since 1997.
In those early days, it was a multitask operation
running on fumes.
-There were times when we just simply didn't have the money,
and she'd sell tickets in the ticket office, hand me
20 bucks out of the till. I'd run to the gas station
and get 15 gallons of diesel fuel,
drive around the back side of the train, and pour it in.
And that was enough to make the trip.
-Sheer persistence helped the railroad grow,
along with the elimination of a certain word.
-There is no such word as "can't."
You may say, "Oh, I can't."
Well, you just find a way to do.
And so it might be a convoluted way of doing something,
but you try your darndest to find a way to get it done.
-I don't recognize the word "can't."
Don't tell me it can't be done
because we'll show you how fast it can be done.
-Greg and Mardell's son, Alexander,
has grown up around trains his whole life,
and because of that, he bluntly dismisses
more popular teen pursuits.
-Cars suck. Trains rule.
And sports are overrated.
All right. We are now coming into the Namekagon River
and Veazie Springs.
-Like his parents,
Alexander wears a lot of hats on this railroad.
Tonight, he's a server and is impressing his guests.
>> IT'S A TRUE AMERICAN
TREASURE.
FROM THERE, WE'RE RIGHT AROUND
THE CORNER FROM ANOTHER HISTORIC
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.
WE'LL DEPART FOR A JOURNEY
THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL STATE
PARK.
NEXT WE'LL HEAD TO THE
MAGNIFICENT WOODS OF NORTH
WISCONSIN.
YOU'LL EXPERIENCE THE VARIETY
WISCONSIN OFFERS, INCLUDING A
BED AND BREAKFAST DREAM.
OUR NEXT STOP FEATURES
BREATH-TAKING VIEWS.
WE'LL VISIT THE AIR MUSEUM AND
SEE AIRCRAFT HOUSED IN THE
LARGEST HANGAR OF ITS KIND.
THEN AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT THE
AMERICAN BALD EAGLE IN WEST
VIRGINIA.
WE'LL TRAVEL ON THE SOUTH BRANCH
OF THE POE TOO POTOMAC RIVER.
THE MOUNTAINS OF MARYLAND IS
HOME TO THE LARGEST STEAM ENGINE
ON THE WEST COAST.
WE'LL GO FROM CUMBERLAND, PULLED
BY THE BEAST OF THE EAST, 1309.
THEN WE HEAD TO SANTA FE,
NEW MEXICO.
IT OFFERS ENTERTAINING TRIPS AS
YOU PASS THROUGH THE MAGICAL
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT.
WE END OUR ADVENTURES IN THE
ROCKY MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO.
THEY PROVIDE A FIVE-STAR SERVICE
OF LEGENDARY SCENERY AS YOU
TRAVEL THROUGH THE BEAUTY.
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
RAIL MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK, SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
EXHIBITS.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
LOCATED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
TRANSPORTS YOU TO THE GLORY AGE
OF RAIL TRAVEL ABOARD ROLLING
TIME MACHINES.
VISITORS OF ALL AGES ENJOY
EXPLORING ITS HISTORIC
COLLECTION AND CAN EXPERIENCE A
RIDE ON A LOVINGLY RESTORED
TRAIN.
YOUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL GIFT
INCLUDES FAMILY PASSES FOR BOTH
MUSEUMS.
AND, INCLUDED WITH YOUR MUSEUM
PASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
INTERESTED IN DINING ON THE
RAILS WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILROAD?
MAKE A GIFT OF $360 OR AN
ONGOING $30 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
AT OUR CONDUCTOR’S LEVEL, AND
YOU’LL HAVE THE CHOICE OF AN
ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO OR A FUN
MEAL FOR FIVE ON THE PIZZA
TRAIN.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD OFFERS THE COUNTRY’S
FIRST PRIVATE DINING SERVICE,
WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR OWN
ROOM AS YOU’RE SERVED AN
APPETIZER PLATE, A CUP OF SOUP
AND THEN YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF
THREE PRESELECTED ENTREES.
A LITTLE LATER YOU WILL DELIGHT
IN A GENEROUS SLICE OF A GOURMET
DESSERT.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL ENJOY THE
BEAUTY OF THE AREA AS YOU PASS
BY FARM FIELDS, DEEP WOODS, AND
THE SCENIC NAMEKAGON RIVER.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS,
THEN SELECT THE PIZZA TRAIN
PACKAGE.
IT’S ONE OF THE RAILROAD’S MOST
POPULAR, FAMILY-ORIENTED TRAIN
RIDES EACH SEASON.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO FIVE GUESTS
AND CHOOSE FROM PEPPERONI,
SAUSAGE OR CHEESE PIZZA BAKED
FRESH IN THE DINING CAR ON THE
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS YOU
WILL ALSO RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON WHICH
PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
THEN GET THEM ALL AT OUR
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL WITH A GIFT
OF $420, OR AN ONGOING
CONTRIBUTION OF $35 PER MONTH.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND A CERTIFICATE FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD’S DINNER OR PIZZA
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS IS
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET,
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK
AND THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
AND, AS AN EXTRA THANK-YOU GIFT,
WE’LL INCLUDE THE GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS DRINK TUMBLER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
RECEIVING JUST ONE OF THE
EXCLUSIVE GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
THANK-YOU GIFTS, CONTRIBUTE AT
OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AND YOU CAN
CHOOSE FROM THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW
3-DISC SET, THE NEW 8TH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, OR THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY WITH A
ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OF $120,
OR AN ONGOING GIFT OF JUST $10
PER MONTH.
THE ANNIVERSARY 3-DISC DVD SET
INCLUDES THE SHOW YOU’RE
WATCHING NOW, ALONG WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 40 RAILWAY ADVENTURES
PLUS BONUS FOOTAGE NOT SEEN IN
THE BROADCAST, INCLUDING A
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE
CREATOR AND PRODUCER, ROBERT VAN
CAMP, AND PAST SHOW HOST, DAVID
HOLT, AS THEY PROVIDE
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE HISTORY
OF THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER,
RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT THE MANY
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS IN NORTH
AMERICA, PLEASE ASK FOR THE NEW
8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
IT’S A COMPLETE AND UPDATED
DIRECTORY TO OVER 500 TOURIST
RAILROADS, RAILWAY MUSEUMS, AND
RAILROAD-RELATED ATTRACTIONS.
THIS BOOK INCLUDES DETAILED
WRITE-UPS, PICTURES, ROUTE MAPS
AND ROLLING STOCK, ALONG WITH
FULL CONTACT DETAILS ON EACH
LOCATION.
INTERESTED IN VISITING ALL THE
LOCATIONS IN THE BOOK ON YOUR
PC, MAC OR TABLET?
ASK FOR THE NEW DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IT FEATURES THE SAME LOCATIONS
AS THE BOOK, BUT OFFERS EVEN
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION,
VIDEOS, PICTURES, AND
INTERACTIVE MAPS, PLUS DIRECT
WEB LINKS TO OVER 500 LOCATIONS,
INCLUDING DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
STHAW FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND
YOUR SUPPORT OF PBS WISCONSIN
WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION AND
REQUEST ONE OF THESE THANK YOU
GIFT PACKAGES.
>> WELL, MICHELE, I TELL YOU, 30
YEARS OF RIDING THE RAILS.
IT'S SO GREAT TO BE BACK HERE IN
WISCONSIN CELEBRATING THIS GREAT
PROGRAM.
WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT WAYS FOR
YOU TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND GET
ON THOSE TRAINS.
>> WE SURE DO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
I'M MICHELE GOOD WITH WISCONSIN
PUBLIC RADIO.
30 YEARS!
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO KEEP DOING
THIS?
>> >> IT'S YOU, OUR MEMBERS.
YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
EVERY TIME ONE OF YOU CALLS IN
AND MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF SUPPORT,
IT'S A VOTE OF SUPPORT.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
I NEVER IMAGINED THAT I'D BE
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THIS
PROGRAMMING AND PBS WISCONSIN
ALONG WITH THREE GREAT VENUES
RIGHT HERE IN YOUR OWN REGION.
>> AND 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
>> WE'VE GOT UNIQUE THANK YOU
GIFTS.
WE'VE UPDATED A LOT OF STUFF YOU
SEE THERE.
WE HAVE GREAT TICKETS TO GO TO
THE ILLINOIS RAILROAD MUSEUM AND
THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
ALONG WITH THE FAMILY PIZZA
TRAIN.
FAMILIES JUST LOVE IT.
YOU'VE RIDDEN TRAINS.
YOU WERE TELLING ME EARLIER
ABOUT THERE'S JUST ABOUT IT.
>> IT'S ROMANTIC.
IT'S A CLICHE, BUT IT REALLY IS
THE ROCKING OF THE TRAIN.
IT TAKES YOU BACK TO AN ENTIRELY
DIFFERENT TIME.
>> YEAH.
>> AND THE THING THAT YOU WERE
JUST TELLING ME WAS EVERY GIFT
THAT WE HAVE HERE IS EXCLUSIVE
TO LISTENERS -- OR TO VIEWERS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> IT'S THAT NPR THING.
WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME FAMILY.
>> WELL, WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND WHEN YOU MAKE A GIFT AT ANY
LEVEL RIGHT NOW DURING THIS
BREAK OR DURING THIS ENTIRE
PROGRAM, YOU CAN REST CONFIDENT
IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE A
MEMBER AND YOU'RE HELPING BRING
THIS PROGRAM INTO THE HOMES ALL
OVER THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
IN ADDITION TO THE WONDERFUL
GIFTS WE HAVE AS A THANK YOU,
YOU ALWAYS GET "AIRWAVES," OUR
PROGRAM GUIDE.
THIS IS GREAT.
IT'S BEHIND-THE-SCENES.
WE KIND OF PULL BACK THE VEIL SO
YOU CAN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
HERE AT PBS WISCONSIN AS WELL AS
BEHIND THE SCENES ON SOME OF
YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS.
THERE'S A GREAT GRID SO YOU CAN
WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE.
NO NEED TO FIGHT OVER WHO'S
GOING TO WATCH WHAT WHEN.
YOU ALSO GET MEMBERSHIP IN
PASSPORT, OUR ONLINE LIBRARY OF
ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS.
ALL THAT WHEN YOU BECOME A
MEMBER RIGHT NOW.
1-800-236-3636.
>> AND AS YOU SAW, ONE OF OUR
PACKAGES IS TO GO TO THE TWO
GREATEST RAILROAD MUSEUMS IN THE THE
REGION.
A LOT OF YOU REMEMBER NICKEL
LAST.
HE COMES IN EVERY TIME WE COME
ON.
I WAS AMAZED WHEN I WENT TO YOUR
LOCATION AND SAW THE VASTNESS OF
WHAT I WOULD CALL 70 YEARS OF
PASSION.
THEY STARTED IN 1953 COLLECTING
EQUIPMENT AND YOU TO ME HAVE ONE
OF THE FINEST COLLECTIONS IN
NORTH AMERICA OF OUR RAILROAD
HERITAGE.
TELL US WHAT PEOPLE CAN
EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY GO TO A
MUSEUM.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
COMPLIMENTS.
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM IS
CELEBRATING ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY
THIS YEAR, AND WE'RE STILL
ACCUMULATING.
>> I KNOW.
I READ THE NEWS.
YOU GOT ANOTHER CAR.
YOU GOT ANOTHER ENGINE.
IT'S JUST GREAT.
>> SOME PEOPLE SAY IS THERE
ANYTHING LEFT TO GET?
>> THERE ALWAYS IS.
>> YEAH.
YEAH.
IT SEEMS LIKE STUFF KEEPS COMING
UP.
BUT WE'RE STILL AT IT.
WE'RE STILL DOING THE EVENTS
THROUGH THE YEAR.
WE DO A CHRISTMAS TRAIN.
WE DO THOMAS THE TRAIN IN
JULY AND THAT.
BUT COLLECTING IS WHAT WE DO.
>> WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
NOW WITH THESE FAMILY PASSES?
THEY CAN TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY.
>> MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO COME
ON THE WEEKENDS BECAUSE THAT'S
WHEN WE RUN THE STEAM ENGINES.
SO THE CHANCES THAT PEOPLE ARE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO RIDE BEHIND
STEAM IS REALLY GOOD FOR THE
WEEKEND.
>> WE KNOW THE STEAM IS A BIG
DRAW.
>> IT IS.
>> IF YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE
SEEING AND YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION,
PBS, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.
YOU'RE CELEBRATING ALL THE GREAT
PROGRAMMING.
I CALL IT THE 360 DEGREES OF
PROGRAMMING.
WE HAVE ANOTHER GREAT GUEST HERE
WITH ANOTHER GREAT ATTRACTION.
TOWARDS GREEN BAY.
>> YEAH.
YEAH.
>> MICHELE?
>> I'M JOINED BY JUSTIN
TENPENNY, MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM.
>> GREEN BAY.
>> SO IT'S CLOSE.
WE CAN GO ANYTIME WE WANT.
>> YES.
>> TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
SOME OF THE THINGS FAMILIES CAN
DO.
>> YEAH.
OUR MUSEUM IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES
WITH ALL THOSE TRAIN LOVERS, YOU
KNOW, WHETHER IT'S A PARTNER OR
A CHILD.
THEY CAN EXPLORE ALL OF THE
TRAINS THAT WE HAVE.
WE HAVE OVER 07 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK.
YOU CAN WALK THROUGH
EISENHOWER'S COMMAND CENTER FROM
WORLD WAR II.
YOU CAN SIT IN THE CAB OF THE
BIG BOY, EXPLORE THE ARROW
TRAIN.
>> CAN YOU RIDE IN ANY OF THE
TRAINS?
>> WE DO OFFER SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES.
THE TRAIN RIDES GO AROUND OUR
GROUNDS.
THEY TAKE TWO LAPSE AROUND.
IT'S REALLY GREAT.
THEY START IN THE SPRING AND GO
THROUGH EARLY FALL.
>> ARE YOU OPEN IN THE WINTER?
>> YEAH.
WE ARE OPEN ALL YEAR LONG
BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH.
WE ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS.
OTHERWISE WE WELCOME YOU ANYTIME
OF THE YEAR.
>> THAT'S GREAT.
WITH ONE OF THE GIFTS, I'M NOT
SURE WHICH ONE IT IS, FOR $35 A
MONTH AS A SUSTAINER, YOU CAN
VISIT THE MUSEUM WITH THE
TICKETS THAT WE WILL GIVE YOU
WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION AT
1-800-236-3636.
>> I LOVE GOING UP INTO THE
GREAT WOODS AS THEY CALL IT.
YOU LIVE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL
AREA OF THE COUNTRY.
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN IS ONE
OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO GO.
IF YOU WANT TO RELIVE DINING ON
THE RAILS, SLEEPING ON THE RAILS
AND THEY HAVE THEIR PIZZA TRAIN.
WE'RE GOING TO BUNDLE ALL THE
MUSEUM FAMILY PASSES, WE'RE
GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR OWN
PRIVATE DINING ROOM FOR TWO FOR
YOU AND A SIGNIFICANT OTHER TO
ENJOY THE GREAT WOODS.
IT IS JUST SUCH A BEAUTIFUL
AREA.
THE FOOD IS GREAT.
GREG AND MARDEL AND THEIR SON DO
A GREAT JOB.
YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL LIKE FAMILY
WHEN YOU GO UP THERE.
THAT'S AT THE $30 LEVEL.
NOW, IF YOU WANT TO GET THE
PIZZA TRAIN, YOU'RE PICKING ONE
OR THE OTHER HERE, IF YOU WANT
TO TAKE UP TO FIVE FAMILY
MEMBERS, I'M TELLING YOU, THIS
IS SO POPULAR.
THEY ACTUALLY MAKE THEIR PIZZAS
FRESH ON THE TRAIN NOW.
THEY HAVE A KITCHEN CAR WHERE
THEY DO THEIR DINING EBBS EXPERIENCE.
YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME ENJOYING A
DAY IN THE SCENERY, GOING OUT
THERE TO THE RIVER, ALL THAT
BEAUTIFUL WOODS AND FARMLAND
THAT YOU SAW EARLIER.
IT IS JUST A FAMILY, FAMILY FUN
TIME.
AGAIN, AT THAT $30 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF
$360, YOU HAVE YOUR CHOICE OF
THE DINNER TRAIN OR THE PIZZA
TRAIN AND YOU GET THE PASSES TO
BEEGHTBOTH MUSEUMS.
YOU GET OVER 50 RAILROADS IN THE
DVD SET.
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, A
DIRECTORY TO EVERY MUSEUM.
WE'VE GOT THAT DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER ONE WHERE YOU CAN GO TO
THE WEBSITES.
OUR PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL, WHAT A
GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT WITH A $420
ONE-TIME GIFT, YOU GET IT ALL.
WE'RE GOING TO THROW IN OUR
ANNIVERSARY DRINKS FOR YOU AS
WELL.
CONSIDER MAKING THAT INVESTMENT
IN WISCONSIN PBS, FOLKS.
WE WOULD NOT BE IF NOT FOR
CURRENT MEMBERS.
WE HOPE YOU'LL BE INVESTING IN
THE FUTURE OF THIS GREAT
NETWORK.
MICHELE, IT'S OUR JOB TO FUND
IT.
YOU THINK ABOUT JUST DOING THE
BASIC MEMBERSHIP AND GET
PASSPORT AND YOU GET TO WATCH
ALL THAT STREAMING WHENEVER YOU
WANT.
AND IT'S ALL MADE POSSIBLE
BECAUSE OF OUR MEMBERS.
SO THINK ABOUT THE VALUE OF THIS
PROGRAMMING FOR YOU AND YOUR
KIDS IN THE AFTERNOON.
I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY TIME
I TURN ON THIS NETWORK.
YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SHOW HERE ON
WISCONSIN PBS.
I PERSONALLY LOVE ANY TIME A KEN
BURNS DOCUMENTARY COMES OUT.
OBVIOUSLY GETTING THE NEWS EVERY
DAY.
THIS OLD HOUSE, I ALWAYS LEARN
WHAT I DID WRONG AND I HAVE TO
GO BACK AND FIX IT.
MICHELE, IT'S A CELEBRATION OF
WHO WE ARE AS A CULTURE AND A
PEOPLE AND THAT'S ONE THING I
LOVE ABOUT 30 YEARS.
I CAN'T THANK OUR MEMBERS
ENOUGH.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AMOUNT
YOU GIVE.
IT'S THAT YOU JUST PARTICIPATE
AND BECOME PART OF THE PROCESS
THAT MAKES THIS GREAT NETWORK
THAT WE CREATED, WE, THE PEOPLE
CREATED, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
>> THAT'S VERY TRUE.
WE HAVE THESE WONDERFUL GIFTS AT
VARIOUS LEVELS, BUT WHAT IS
SUPPORT IS THAT YOU SUPPORT THE
PROGRAM.
THE AMOUNT DOESN'T MATTER, JUST
THAT YOU BECOME A MEMBER.
ALTHOUGH IT'S REALLY HARD TO
PASS UP THESE GREAT THANK YOU
GIFTS.
WHAT DO WE HAVE COMING UP NEXT?
>> WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO
PENNSYLVANIA.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
YOU'LL SEE IT IN THE NEXT BLOCK.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO
OREGON TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE
STEAM TRAINS.
THIS RAILROAD ALLOWS DOGS.
IT'S SO GREAT.
EVERYBODY'SBRINGING THEIR DOGS.
REALLY FUN TIME.
CONSIDER MAKING THAT INVESTMENT
IN YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION
STATION.
>> WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
>> WE HAVE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS
FOR YOU.
I CREATED THESE GIFTS FOR YOU
ONLY.
WE DO NOT SELL THEM TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC.
YOU WILL NOT FIND THEM ONLINE.
YOU'LL ONLY FIND THEM ON THE PBS
WEBSITE.
GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT
INVESTMENT TODAY.
WE'RE GOING TO HEAD BACK TO THE
SHOW BUT LET'S SHOW YOU THOSE
LEVELS ONE MORE TIME SO YOU CAN
PICK WHICH LEVEL WORKS BEST FOR
YOU.
CAR DIN
CROAR
>> IF GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS HAS INSPIRED YOU TO GET
OUT AND RIDE THE RAILS, MAKE A
GIFT AT OUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL OF
$240, OR AN ONGOING $20
CONTRIBUTION, AND WE WILL
PROVIDE YOU WITH FAMILY PASSES
TO VISIT THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
RAIL MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK, SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
EXHIBITS.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
LOCATED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
TRANSPORTS YOU TO THE GLORY AGE
OF RAIL TRAVEL ABOARD ROLLING
TIME MACHINES.
VISITORS OF ALL AGES ENJOY
EXPLORING ITS HISTORIC
COLLECTION AND CAN EXPERIENCE A
RIDE ON A LOVINGLY RESTORED
TRAIN.
YOUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL GIFT
INCLUDES FAMILY PASSES FOR BOTH
MUSEUMS.
AND, INCLUDED WITH YOUR MUSEUM
PASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
INTERESTED IN DINING ON THE
RAILS WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILROAD?
MAKE A GIFT OF $360 OR AN
ONGOING $30 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
AT OUR CONDUCTOR’S LEVEL, AND
YOU’LL HAVE THE CHOICE OF AN
ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO OR A FUN
MEAL FOR FIVE ON THE PIZZA
TRAIN.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD OFFERS THE COUNTRY’S
FIRST PRIVATE DINING SERVICE,
WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR OWN
ROOM AS YOU’RE SERVED AN
APPETIZER PLATE, A CUP OF SOUP
AND THEN YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF
THREE PRESELECTED ENTREES.
A LITTLE LATER YOU WILL DELIGHT
IN A GENEROUS SLICE OF A GOURMET
DESSERT.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL ENJOY THE
BEAUTY OF THE AREA AS YOU PASS
BY FARM FIELDS, DEEP WOODS, AND
THE SCENIC NAMEKAGON RIVER.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS,
THEN SELECT THE PIZZA TRAIN
PACKAGE.
IT’S ONE OF THE RAILROAD’S MOST
POPULAR, FAMILY-ORIENTED TRAIN
RIDES EACH SEASON.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO FIVE GUESTS
AND CHOOSE FROM PEPPERONI,
SAUSAGE OR CHEESE PIZZA BAKED
FRESH IN THE DINING CAR ON THE
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS YOU
WILL ALSO RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON WHICH
PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
THEN GET THEM ALL AT OUR
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL WITH A GIFT
OF $420, OR AN ONGOING
CONTRIBUTION OF $35 PER MONTH.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND A CERTIFICATE FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD’S DINNER OR PIZZA
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS IS
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET,
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK
AND THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
AND, AS AN EXTRA THANK-YOU GIFT,
WE’LL INCLUDE THE GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS DRINK TUMBLER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
RECEIVING JUST ONE OF THE
EXCLUSIVE GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
THANK-YOU GIFTS, CONTRIBUTE AT
OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AND YOU CAN
CHOOSE FROM THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW
3-DISC SET, THE NEW 8TH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, OR THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY WITH A
ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OF $120,
OR AN ONGOING GIFT OF JUST $10
PER MONTH.
THE ANNIVERSARY 3-DISC DVD SET
INCLUDES THE SHOW YOU’RE
WATCHING NOW, ALONG WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 40 RAILWAY ADVENTURES
PLUS BONUS FOOTAGE NOT SEEN IN
THE BROADCAST, INCLUDING A
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE
CREATOR AND PRODUCER, ROBERT VAN
CAMP, AND PAST SHOW HOST, DAVID
HOLT, AS THEY PROVIDE
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE HISTORY
OF THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER,
RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT THE MANY
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS IN NORTH
AMERICA, PLEASE ASK FOR THE NEW
8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
IT’S A COMPLETE AND UPDATED
DIRECTORY TO OVER 500 TOURIST
RAILROADS, RAILWAY MUSEUMS, AND
RAILROAD-RELATED ATTRACTIONS.
THIS BOOK INCLUDES DETAILED
WRITE-UPS, PICTURES, ROUTE MAPS
AND ROLLING STOCK, ALONG WITH
FULL CONTACT DETAILS ON EACH
LOCATION.
INTERESTED IN VISITING ALL THE
LOCATIONS IN THE BOOK ON YOUR
PC, MAC OR TABLET?
ASK FOR THE NEW DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IT FEATURES THE SAME LOCATIONS
AS THE BOOK, BUT OFFERS EVEN
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION,
VIDEOS, PICTURES, AND
INTERACTIVE MAPS, PLUS DIRECT
WEB LINKS TO OVER 500 LOCATIONS,
INCLUDING DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
AND YOUR SPORTD OF PBS WISCONSIN
WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION AND
REQUEST ONE ONE OF THESE EXCLUSIVE
GIFT PACKAGES.
>> WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR
FAMILIES.
WHAT'S BETTER THAN PIZZA AND
TRAINS FOR KIDS?
HI.
I'M MICHELE GOOD WITH WISCONSIN
PUBLIC RADIO AND I'M HERE WITH
ROBERT VAN CAMP.
WE HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS
PROGRAM.
UP IN TREGO, THE AMAZING
RAILROAD UP THERE.
WHAT BETTER THAN TAKING A TRIP
THROUGH THE NORTHWOODS.
SO BEAUTIFUL.
AND CLOSE.
>> CLOSE AND, YOU KNOW,
OBVIOUSLY YOU GET THE TWO
RAILROAD MUSEUMS IN THAT PACKAGE
AS WELL.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE
PBS WISCONSIN, THAT GREAT
NETWORK CREATED BY US.
IT'S OURS.
WE OWN IT.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT
INVESTMENT, MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF
SUPPORT.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AMOUNT
YOU GIVE.
EVERY PLEDGE IS A VOTE.
VOTING IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
WE CAN ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS
ABOUT THOSE TRAIN TICKETS.
YOU'VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME TO
REDEEM THEM OVER A FULL YEAR.
PEOPLE ASK ABOUT HANKY HANDICAP
ACCESSIBLE.
THEY ARE.
ARE THERE BATHROOMS?
YES.
THIS IS DEFINITELY IT, FOLKS.
COME ONBOARD.
BECOME A MEMBER.
GO TO THE WEBSITE.
YOU CAN SEE ALL THE GREAT THANK
YOU GIFTS THERE OR CALL ONE OF
OUR VOLUNTEERS AND THEY'LL WALK
YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
>> AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT
THESE THANK YOU GIFTS IS THEY
ARE EXCLUSIVE TO PUBLIC
TELEVISION VIEWERS.
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THESE
IN A YEAR AT TARGET OR AMAZON.
ONLY IF YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF
THIS STATION WILL YOU RECEIVE
THESE WONDERFUL GIFTS.
AND WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER,
YOU ARE NOT JUST SUPPORTING THIS
GREAT PROGRAM, BUT YOU ARE
SUPPORTING ALL OF THE
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WE HAVE,
THE PROGRAMS THAT CENTER ON THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
YOU ARE HELPING TO MAKE THAT
POSSIBLE BECAUSE REALLY THIS IS
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN YOU, THE
VIEWER, AND US.
WE BRING YOU THE PROGRAMS.
YOU HELP SUPPORT THOSE PROGRAMS
WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION AT
1-800-236-3636.
ACTUALLY, YOU'RE KIND OF PAYING
IT FORWARD WHEN YOU MAKE THAT
CONTRIBUTION BECAUSE YOU'RE
ALLOWING PEOPLE ALL OVER THE
STATE TO WATCH THIS GREAT
PROGRAM, THIS HISTORY OF
EDUCATION, EVEN IN A PROGRAM
ABOUT TRAINS.
WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF TRAINS.
WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE
PRESERVATION AROUND THESE
IMPORTANT PIECES OF HISTORY.
ALL OF THAT IS POSSIBLE THANKS
TO YOUR SUPPORT.
1-800-236-3636.
>> YOU WANT TO RELIVE THE GLORY
DAYS OF RIDING AND DINING ON THE
RAILS, THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS
AT OUR $30 INVESTMENT.
YOU CAN HAVE THE DINNER TRAIN
FOR TWO OR THE PIZZA TRAIN FOR
FIVE.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RELIVE IT
WITH BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC
EQUIPMENT.
I LOVE THOSE CUSTOM-BUILT DINING
ROOMS THAT THEY HAVE UP THERE.
IF YOU'VE GOT AN ANNIVERSARY
COMING UP, YOU GOT A BIRTHDAY
COMING UP, SOMETHING YOU WANT TO
DO WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER,
THIS IS THE TRIP TO GO DO.
PRIVATE DINING ROOM ALL TO
YOURSELF.
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT.
THIS IS ONE OF A KIND.
GREG VREELAND AND MARDELL AND
ALEXANDER ARE ALWAYS CREATING
SOMETHING NEW.
THAT'S WHY WE WENT BACK UP THERE
AND DID A BRAND NEW PIECE FOR
YOU TO SEE WHAT THEY OFFER.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER GETTING THAT
DINNER TRAIN.
IF YOU WANT TO GET THE KIDS AND
DO PIZZA, I WOULD NEVER THINK
PIZZA AND TRAINS WOULD GO
TOGETHER UNTIL I WAS UP THERE.
THIS IS SUCH A FUN FAMILY TIME.
GET YOUR PIZZA.
ENJOY.
LOOK OUT THE WINDOWS AND SEE ALL
THE BEAUTIFUL WILDLIFE THAT'S UP
THERE.
THIS IS FAMILY FUN, FOLKS.
SO CONSIDER THAT INVESTMENT.
AGAIN AT $30 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP YOU'RE GOING TO GET
YOUR CHOICE OF THE DINNER TRAIN
OR THE PIZZA TRAIN.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ALL THE
GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS THAT WE
TALKED ABOUT, THE 50 SEGMENTS
OUT OF MANY SHOWS, INCLUDING THE
SHOW YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.
YOU'LL GET THE 8TH EDITION
DIRECTORY.
AND YOU GET OUR COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR
MIND AND YOU WANT EVERYTHING,
WE'VE GOT THAT FOR YOU.
WE'LL THROW IN A DRINK TUMBLER.
YOU GET THE MUSEUM PASSES TO
BOTH MUSEUMS.
SO CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT AND LET'S HEAR A
LITTLE BIT MORE.
NICK FROM THE MUSEUM IS HERE
WITH MICHELE.
>> THANKS, BOB.
NICK IS JOINING ME FROM THE
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
NICK, YOU STARTED WORKING ON
PRESERVATION BACK IN THE '50s.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU?
I MEAN, YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS
FOR A LONG TIME.
>> WELL, THE ORGANIZATION,
MICHELE, STARTED IN 1953 AND IT
STARTED WITH TEN GUYS WHO WANTED
TO GET TOGETHER TO SAVE AN
INTERURBAN CAR.
THAT WAS AN INDIANA CAR.
THE SECOND TWO THAT WERE SAVED
WERE MILWAUKEE CARS.
IT WAS A STRANGE STORY BECAUSE
THE ORIGINAL SITE WAS IN NORTH
CHICAGO, WHERE THE NAVY BASE IS,
HALFWAY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND
MILWAUKEE OLT ON THE OLD NORTH
SHORELINE.
THEY FOUND A PLACE TO STORE THAT
CAR.
THE NEXT TWO THEY WENT AFTER IS
THE MILWAUKEE CARS.
THOSE CARS GOT SOLD TO
ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO.
SO THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO CARS
THAT MADE THE TRIP BOTH WAYS
ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN ON A CAR
FERRY.
BUT THEY'RE THE ONLY TWO CARS
FROM THE MILWAUKEE SYSTEM THAT
WERE SAVED IN THIS COUNTRY.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE MUSEUM IS
ABOUT, IS ABOUT SAVING EQUIPMENT
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
>> THE HISTORY INVOLVED IS JUST
-- THERE'S SO MUCH.
AND YOU GO IN AND YOU -- THE
VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES ARE THE
ONES WHO ARE PRESERVING THESE
TRAINS.
>> EVERY PIECE HAS A STORY TO
TELL.
EVERY PIECE HAS A STORY TO TELL.
AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, A LOT OF
THE CARS WERE SPONSORED BY
PEOPLE, AND IT WAS -- IN THE OLD
DAYS IT WAS PASS THE HAT IN
ORDER TO GET STUFF.
AND THAT'S WHAT THEY USED TO DO,
IS PASS THE HAT TO BUY.
WE'D BUY THEM FOR SCRAP.
AND THEY'D HAVE A FUND-RAISING
CAMPAIGN AMONGST THEMSELVES AND
OTHER FANS.
AND REALLY GOT A HECK OF A
COLLECTION NOW.
HECK OF A COLLECTION.
>> THAT IS A GREAT STORY.
1-800-236-3636.
>> NOW, THE ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM
IS ONE OF JUST MANY GREAT
LOCATIONS HERE.
I HAVE JUSTIN TENPENNY WITH ME
FROM THE NATIONAL RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
THIS PLACE IS VERY UNIQUE.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT
EXPERIENCE PEOPLE CAN HAVE.
THEY GOT TRAIN RIDES.
THEY GOT THE MUSEUM TOURS
INSIDE.
AND YOU HAVE A VERY, VERY UNIQUE
ONE.
I LOVE THAT YOU HAVE THE TRAIN
RIDES AS WELL, BUT TELL FOLKS
WHAT THEY GET TO EXPERIENCE WITH
THE PACKAGE.
>> YEAH.
YOU'REOUR MUSEUM OFFERS SO MUCH
INTERACTIVE THINGS TO DO.
FAMILIES, YOUNG CHILDREN CAN
COME AND WALK THROUGH
EISENHOWER'S COMMAND TRAIN.
THEY CAN SIT IN THE CAB OF THE
BIG BOY, A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE.
YOU CAN SEE THE GG1 ELECTRIC
LOCOMOTIVE.
YOU CAN SEE THE ARROW TRAIN.
>> IS THAT THE ONLY ONE LEFT?
>> THERE IS ONE OTHER ONE OUT
THERE.
WE HAVE NO. 2.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF IT.
>> WHAT IS YOUR MAIN MISSION?
THIS IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF
EDUCATION, BUT A VERY TACTILE
EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS AS WELL.
THE PARENTS WILL ENJOY T. THE IT.
THE KIDS WILL ENJOY IT.
IT'S JUST A TRUE GEM.
IT'S UP IN GREEN BAY, RIGHT?
>> YES.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.
>> SO, FOLKS, CONSIDER MAKING
THAT INVESTMENT AND YOU CAN
AGAIN AT THAT $20 LEVEL WE'LL GO
AHEAD AND GET YOU PASSES TO GO
TO BOTH LOCATIONS.
THE'RE FAMILY PASSES.
HOW MANY ARE IN YOUR FAMILY?
DOESN'T MATTER.
BRING THEM.
THOSE PASSES ARE GOING TO GET
YOU THROUGH.
YOU GET THE DVD, GUIDEBOOK AND
DIRECTORY AS WELL.
$10 MORE SUSTAINING WE'RE GOING
TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU THOSE
PASSES AND YOUR CHOICE OF GOING
ON THE DINNER TRAIN OR PIZZA
TRAIN ALONG WITH THE THANK YOU
GIFTS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
AT THE $35 LEVEL, $4 20RBGS YOU $420, YOU GET
IT ALL, ALL OF THOSE THANK YOU
GIFTS.
>> YOUR CONTRIBUTION RIGHT NOW
AT 1-800-236-3636, IT DOES SO
MUCH MORE THAN YOU POSSIBLY
KNOW.
IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THESE
GREAT GIFTS, FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT, MEALS, THE
DIRECTORY ALONE, IDEAS FOR TRIPS
WITH YOUR FAMILY OR SOLO, JUST
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY.
YOU'VE ALSO GOT THE PIZZA.
YOU'VE GOT TWO OTHER MUSEUMS YOU
CAN GO TO, A TUMBLER, A HAT.
IT'S AN AMAZING VALUE.
AND ON TOP OF IT ALL, YOU ARE
SUPPORTING THIS STATION THAT YOU
LOVE, PBS WISCONSIN.
EVERY TIME YOU WATCH, YOU WILL
KNOW YOU HELPED MAKE IT ALL
POSSIBLE WITH YOUR GIFT AT
1-800-236-3636.
>> SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND RECAP
SOME OF THE GREAT WAYS YOU CAN
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
STARTING AT OUR $10 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE
YOU A CHOICE OF THE THREE-DVD
SET AND YOU'VE GOT ALL THAT
BONUS FOOTAGE OF
BEHIND-THE-SCENES WHERE DAVID
AND I TALK ABOUT ALL THE
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT
PRODUCING THE SERIES.
THEN WE'VE GOT OUR GUIDEBOOK,
OVER 500 LOCATIONS FULL OF
INFORMATION, EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO KNOW.
IT'S A GREAT THING.
WE CALL IT THE BIBLE OF
RAILROADING INFORMATION BECAUSE
EVERYTHING IS IN THERE FOR NORTH
AMERICA.
YOU WANT TO SLEEP IN A CABOOSE,
WE'VE GOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO GO.
THE COMPUTER DIRECTORY IS
UPDATED.
PUT IT IN YOUR PC OR MAC, IT'S
DOWNLOADABLE AND CLICK THE
LINKS, A LOT OF INFORMATION, A
LOT OF VIDEOS.
MICHELE, WE ONLY COME A COUPLE
TIMES TO OUR MEMBERS AND SAY GET
ONBOARD WITH US, NO PUN
INTENDED, LET'S GET THIS STEAM
ENGINE GOING.
THINK OF HOW MANY YEARS PBS
WISCONSIN HAS BEEN ON.
OUR MEMBERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
I CALL IT THE 360 DEGREES OF
PROGRAMMING BECAUSE THERE'S
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY ON THIS
NETWORK.
IT'S COMMERCIAL-FREE AND WE OWN
IT.
>> IT'S ALL POSSIBLE WHEN YOU
MAKE A DONATION.
BECOME A PART OF SOMETHING
BIGGER.
1-800-236-3636.
OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE WAITING FOR
YOUR CALL.
OR YOU CAN GO TO
pbswisconsin.org AND THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
PBS
>> WELCOME BACK TO THE "GREAT
SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS" 30TH
YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
AND THIS IS A CHALLENGE BREAK.
OUR MEMBERS ARE GOING TO MATCH
ANY DONATION YOU MAKE DURING
THIS BREAK ONE FOR ONE.
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
HAVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP GO TWICE AS
FAR.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT BY
HAVING IT DOUBLED AT
1-800-236-3636.
OR BY GOING ONLINE TO
pbswisconsin.org.
>> SO MAKE THAT CONTRIBUTION
NOW.
REMEMBER, EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT
HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS AND
THINKING ABOUT IT, YOUR DOLLARS
WILL BE DOUBLEED.
WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU ALL THE
GREAT LEVELS WE HAVE.
YOU CAN MAKE IT WHATEVER YOU
WANT TO PLEDGE.
MAKE A VOTE OF SUPPORT HERE.
LET'S SHOW YOU ALL THE MANY WAYS
YOU CAN MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF
SUPPORT HERE FOR PBS WISCONSIN.
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
RAIL MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK, SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
EXHIBITS.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
LOCATED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
TRANSPORTS YOU TO THE GLORY AGE
OF RAIL TRAVEL ABOARD ROLLING
TIME MACHINES.
VISITORS OF ALL AGES ENJOY
EXPLORING ITS HISTORIC
COLLECTION AND CAN EXPERIENCE A
RIDE ON A LOVINGLY RESTORED
TRAIN.
YOUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL GIFT
INCLUDES FAMILY PASSES FOR BOTH
MUSEUMS.
AND, INCLUDED WITH YOUR MUSEUM
PASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
INTERESTED IN DINING ON THE
RAILS WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILROAD?
MAKE A GIFT OF $360 OR AN
ONGOING $30 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
AT OUR CONDUCTOR’S LEVEL, AND
YOU’LL HAVE THE CHOICE OF AN
ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO OR A FUN
MEAL FOR FIVE ON THE PIZZA
TRAIN.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD OFFERS THE COUNTRY’S
FIRST PRIVATE DINING SERVICE,
WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR OWN
ROOM AS YOU’RE SERVED AN
APPETIZER PLATE, A CUP OF SOUP
AND THEN YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF
THREE PRESELECTED ENTREES.
A LITTLE LATER YOU WILL DELIGHT
IN A GENEROUS SLICE OF A GOURMET
DESSERT.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL ENJOY THE
BEAUTY OF THE AREA AS YOU PASS
BY FARM FIELDS, DEEP WOODS, AND
THE SCENIC NAMEKAGON RIVER.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS,
THEN SELECT THE PIZZA TRAIN
PACKAGE.
IT’S ONE OF THE RAILROAD’S MOST
POPULAR, FAMILY-ORIENTED TRAIN
RIDES EACH SEASON.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO FIVE GUESTS
AND CHOOSE FROM PEPPERONI,
SAUSAGE OR CHEESE PIZZA BAKED
FRESH IN THE DINING CAR ON THE
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS YOU
WILL ALSO RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON WHICH
PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
THEN GET THEM ALL AT OUR
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL WITH A GIFT
OF $420, OR AN ONGOING
CONTRIBUTION OF $35 PER MONTH.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND A CERTIFICATE FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD’S DINNER OR PIZZA
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS IS
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET,
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK
AND THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
AND, AS AN EXTRA THANK-YOU GIFT,
WE’LL INCLUDE THE GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS DRINK TUMBLER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
RECEIVING JUST ONE OF THE
EXCLUSIVE GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
THANK-YOU GIFTS, CONTRIBUTE AT
OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AND YOU CAN
CHOOSE FROM THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW
3-DISC SET, THE NEW 8TH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, OR THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY WITH A
ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OF $120,
OR AN ONGOING GIFT OF JUST $10
PER MONTH.
THE ANNIVERSARY 3-DISC DVD SET
INCLUDES THE SHOW YOU’RE
WATCHING NOW, ALONG WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 40 RAILWAY ADVENTURES
PLUS BONUS FOOTAGE NOT SEEN IN
THE BROADCAST, INCLUDING A
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE
CREATOR AND PRODUCER, ROBERT VAN
CAMP, AND PAST SHOW HOST, DAVID
HOLT, AS THEY PROVIDE
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE HISTORY
OF THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER,
RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT THE MANY
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS IN NORTH
AMERICA, PLEASE ASK FOR THE NEW
8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
IT’S A COMPLETE AND UPDATED
DIRECTORY TO OVER 500 TOURIST
RAILROADS, RAILWAY MUSEUMS, AND
RAILROAD-RELATED ATTRACTIONS.
THIS BOOK INCLUDES DETAILED
WRITE-UPS, PICTURES, ROUTE MAPS
AND ROLLING STOCK, ALONG WITH
FULL CONTACT DETAILS ON EACH
LOCATION.
INTERESTED IN VISITING ALL THE
LOCATIONS IN THE BOOK ON YOUR
PC, MAC OR TABLET?
ASK FOR THE NEW DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IT FEATURES THE SAME LOCATIONS
AS THE BOOK, BUT OFFERS EVEN
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION,
VIDEOS, PICTURES, AND
INTERACTIVE MAPS, PLUS DIRECT
WEB LINKS TO OVER 500 LOCATIONS,
INCLUDING DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
AND YOUR SUPPORT OF PBS
WISCONSIN WHEN YOU MAKE A
DONATION AND REQUEST ONE OF
THESE EXCLUSIVE "GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS" GIFT PACKAGES.
>> WELL, MICHELE, I LOVE
CHALLENGE GRANTS AND I WANT TO
CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU WHO WATCH
ANY PROGRAM HERE ON PBS
WISCONSIN, BECOME A MEMBER,
RENEW THAT MEMBERSHIP TODAY AND
DOUBLE THAT.
I LOVE IT.
THAT $420 BECOMES $840.
THAT'S GOING TO HELP GO A LONG
WAY.
IF I COULD TURN THE CAMERAS AND
SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES AND ALL
THE PEOPLE THAT MAKES THIS
POSSIBLE, YOU'D BE AMAZED.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WHERE THE
CAMERAS ARE AT, PEOPLE ON THE
FLOOR, ENGINEERS.
IT TAKES A LOT TO BRING THESE
TYPE PROGRAMS TO YOU DAY IN AND
DAY OUT.
WE HOPE YOU VALUE THAT.
WE COME TO YOU A COUPLE TIMES A
YEAR.
COME CELEBRATE WITH US.
CELEBRATE A CHALLENGE GRANT,
TOO.
>> THIS IS A GREAT TIME
ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ONE OF
THOSE PEOPLE WHO THINK I WOULD
LOVE TO GIVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
BUT I CAN ONLY AFFORD TO GIVE
$50.
WELL, GUESS WHAT?
YOU JUST GAVE $100 TO THIS
STATION.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT
OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S SUPER EASY AND FAST.
1-800-236-3636 OR
pbswisconsin.org.
OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE WAITING FOR
YOUR CALLS.
IT WILL JUST TAKE A COUPLE
MINUTES.
>> SO WE HOPE YOU'LL DO YOUR
PART.
BECOME A PART OF THE PROCESS
THAT MAKES PUBLIC TELEVISION SO
GREAT.
IT'S YOU.
YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF IT.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR CURRENT
MEMBERS.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO INVEST IN
THE FUTURE OF IT.
IT'S OUR JOB, OUR RESPONSIBILITY
TO MAKE SURE YOU AND I AND
EVERYBODY WHO CAN AFFORD IT.
I GREW UP WITH ZOOM.
PEOPLE RAISING THEIR HAND OVER
THERE IN THE VOLUNTEERS.
THEY CAME TO MY HIGH SCHOOL IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
PUBLIC TELEVISION IS A CHART OF
US -- PART OF US AND WHO WE ARE.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT.
SUPPORT THIS GREAT NETWORK AND
MAKE SURE IT'S HERE FOR ANOTHER
50 YEARS.
>> THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME THAT
MAKE THAT DONATION NOW IN THE
MIDDLE OF OUR CHALLENGE GRANT.
1-800-236-3636.
THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS THAT
YOU WANT TO JOIN PBS WISCONSIN
AND BECOME A MEMBER.
MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOU GET A
CHANCE TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FROM
YOUR LIVING ROOM.
EVEN WITH THIS AM PRACTICE, PROGRAM, WE HAVE
BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, EVEN
TO OUR NEIGHBOR CANADA.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GO BEYOND
SOMETIMES EVEN JUST THEIR LIVING
ROOMS.
THIS IS THE CHANCE FOR YOU TO
EXPERIENCE TRAINS ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY.
AND THE GREAT THING IS WE'VE GOT
ONE RIGHT UP IN THE NORTHWOODS.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS CHALLENGE
MATCH.
SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS
PROGRAM AND ALL THE AMAZING
PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE HERE ON
THE STATION BY MAKING A PLEDGE.
1-800-236-3636.
>> YOU KNOW, EARLIER YOU WERE
HEARING NICK KALLAS TALK ABOUT
70 YEARS AGO A GROUP OF TEN GUYS
GOT TOGETHER TO SAVE ONE PIECE
OF A TROLLEY.
IT HAS GROWN INTO SOMETHING
TREMENDOUS.
THINK ABOUT THE BEGINNING DAYS
OF PBS WISCONSIN AND HOW MUCH
IT'S GROWN.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING.
EVERY DOLLAR IS DOUBLED.
IF YOU WANT TO DO DINNER OR
PIZZA WITH YOUR FAMILY, WE'VE
GOT THAT PACKAGE FOR YOU AT THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
$30 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
MONTHLY AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
A BEAUTIFUL DINNER.
YOU CAN CHOOSE THE PRIVATE
DINING ROOMS.
BEAUTIFUL, FOUR-COURSE MEAL.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING BETTER
BUT GOING 5, 10 MILES AN HOUR
AND LOOKING AT THE BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY AND HAVING A DINNER WITH
MY WIFE OR WHOEVER YOU WOULD
WANT TO BRING WITH YOU.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WAY AND IT'S A
FAMILY-RUN OPERATION STARTED BY
GREG AND MARDELL AND THEIR SON
ALEXANDER.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HIM IN OUR
LAST BLOCK.
SO CONSIDER THAT INVESTMENT.
REMEMBER, THAT $30 OR THAT $360
IS GOING TO BE DOUBLED WHEN YOU
GO WITH THAT PACKAGE.
YOU'VE GOT TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE
OTHER.
IF YOU CANNOT MAKE UP YOUR MIND,
HERE'S THE PIZZA TRAIN.
KIDS AND TRAINS AND PIZZA.
GREG AND MARDELL HAVE CREATED
SOMETHING THAT I DO NOT SEE THIS
ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.
THEY HAVE SO MANY UNIQUE VENUES
UP THERE.
YOU SEE THE CONNECTION WITH THE
PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.
I DON'T SEE ANYBODY WITH THEIR
PHONES EXCEPT FOR TAKING
PICTURES.
THIS IS REALLY A RELAXING TIME
TO HAVE SOME FELLOWSHIP WITH
YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS AND A
WAY TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY OF THE GREAT NORTH UP
THERE.
IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME.
AGAIN, IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR
BEHIND, WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU
TO COME UP PRESIDENT PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL.
WE'LL GIVE YOU BOTH PASSES, SO
YOU HAVE FOUR VENUES, THE DVD,
THE GUIDEBOOK, AND DRINK
TUMBLER.
REMEMBER, WHEN YOU COME IN AT
$420, BECOMES $840.
I CAN'T TELL YOU.
THIS IS THE BREAK, PLEASE,
CONSIDER MAKING THIS MEMBER
CHALLENGE.
WE CAN'T NOT THANK OUR MEMBERS
ENOUGH THAT MAKE THIS CHALLENGE
GRANT POSSIBLE EVERY YEAR.
CONSIDER MAKING THAT INVESTMENT.
LET'S HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE
FROM ONE OF THE MUSEUMS HERE
FROM MICHELE.
>> JUSTIN TENPENNY IS BACK WITH
ME, BUT BEFORE WE TALK, WANT TO
REMIND YOU WE ARE IN THAT
CHALLENGE GRANT.
JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT FOR YOU
TO GET YOUR DONATION DOUBLED AT
1-800-236-3636.
SO, NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM, A
LITTLE TONGUE-TIED THERE, TELL
ME ABOUT SOME OF YOUR MORE
UNUSUAL COLLECTIONS.
YOU WERE TELLING ME DURING A
BREAK BEFORE ABOUT YOU HAVE THE
LARGEST COLLECTION OF DRUMHEADS.
FIRST TELL US WHAT A DRUMHEAD
IS.
>> DRUMHEADS ARE KIND OF LIKE
OLD ADVERTISING.
IT'S A BILLBOARD ON A TRAIN.
IT'S A DRUMHEAD.
YOU HAVE YOUR LOGO ON IT,
DIFFERENT WORDS.
THEY LIGHT UP.
THEY LOOK REALLY PRETTY.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE HAVING A NICE
HEADLIGHT ON THERE.
WE HAVE THE LARGEST COLLECTION
OF DRUMHEADS IN THE ENTIRE
WORLD.
AND THEY'RE INTERACTIVE.
SO WHEN YOU BRING THE GRANDKIDS
IN, WHEN YOU BRING THE KIDS IN,
WHEN YOU COME YOURSELF, YOU CAN
EXPLORE EACH ONE OF THOSE
DRUMHEADS, LEARN ITS HISTORY,
SEE WHAT ROUTE ITS TRAIN TOOK
THROUGHOUT AMERICA AND REALLY
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THAT
HISTORY.
>> THAT'S REALLY COOL.
I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WOULD BE SO
-- I THINK OF A DRUMHEAD AND...
>> YEAH.
IT'S VERY INTERACTIVE.
THAT'S WHY THE KIDS LOVE
LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE
DRUMHEADS.
>> IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS
HISTORY, GET YOUR DONATION
MATCHED RIGHT NOW.
1-800-236-3636.
>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE
MINUTES IN THIS BREAK.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM ANOTHER 15
OF YOU OUT THERE ON THIS
CHALLENGE BREAK.
I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU IF
YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS,
DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE AMOUNT
IS.
MAYBE JUST GET THE GUIDEBOOK FOR
THE $10 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP.
I GOT MY GOOD FRIEND NICK.
I WANT PEOPLE TO STAY WATCHING
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PULL YOUR
SEGMENT OUT IN OUR LAST BREAK OF
PROGRAMMING, REAIR THE WISCONSIN
SEGMENT AND SHOW NICK.
NICK, YOUR TEN GUYS CREATED
SOMETHING 70 YEARS AGO THAT IS A
WORLD TREASURE RIGHT NOW.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS?
WHAT'S THE MAGIC?
YOU GET TO TAKE A 10-MILE TRAIN
RIDE.
TALK ABOUT THE TRAIN TRIPS.
>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE,
BOB.
SOME PEOPLE CALL IT INSANITY.
AND PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, CALL YOU
TRAIN NUTS AND ALL OF THAT
STUFF.
BUT OUR TRAIN RIDE IS JUST
THROUGH THE ILLINOIS COUNTRYSIDE
AND IT'S JUST LIKE ANY OTHER
PLACE.
IT'S CORNFIELDS AND THAT.
BUT YOU'RE ON A VEHICLE THAT
MIGHT BE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.
>> I LOVE THE TROLLEYS.
YOU HAVE THE STEAM ENGINE.
YOU HAVE EVERY FORM OF RAIL
TRANSPORTATION.
>> YES.
>> WHAT'S THE TOTAL COLLECTION
NUMBER?
>> OVER 500 PIECES.
>> WHEN I DID THE SHOW, THEY
WERE AT 400.
THEY HAD 15 BARNES FULL BARNS FULL OF STUFF.
YOU CAN SPEND A WHOLE WEEKEND
THERE.
WHAT YOUR FOLKS HAVE DONE, THIS
IS A TRUE AREA OF DEEP RAIL
TRANSPORTATION WITH GREEN BAY
AND YOU AND THE COLLECTIONS.
TO DO BOTH OF THOSE, WE REALLY
APPRECIATE THOSE.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THAT
PLEDGE.
MICHELE, HOW ARE WE DOING ON THE
CHALLENGE?
>> WE ARE DOING PRETTY GOOD.
HOLD ON.
WHAT IS THAT?
13.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR 20, HOWEVER.
PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL IF
YOU'VE ALREADY MADE A DONATION,
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND AREN'T YOU SMART.
YOU'VE GOT YOUR MONEY DOUBLED,
YOUR DONATION DOUBLED.
NOW, HOW ABOUT YOU?
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS
PROGRAM.
YOU'VE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT
TRAINS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU.
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TAKE A
COUPLE TRAIN TRIPS, LIKE ORIENT
EXEXPRESS, THE CANADIAN ROCKIES,
YES.
BUT THERE ARE SO MANY TRAIN
TRIPS THAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT ON
THIS PROGRAM THAT I'M GOING TO
LOOK INTO, ESPECIALLY THE ONE
THAT'S JUST IN OUR BACKYARD.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
ARE YOU PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP
WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING THAT?
IF YOU MAKE A DONATION FOR $120,
YOU GET THAT GUIDEBOOK.
SO YOU CAN DO EVEN MORE
PLANNING.
MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW.
BECOME A MEMBER AND DOUBLE YOUR
SUPPORT.
1-800-236-3636.
>> MICHELE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OR A FEW OTHERS.
THIS NEXT SEGMENT IS IN THE
COLORADO ROCKIES, AN
UNBELIEVABLE TRIP, THE ROCKY
MOUNTAIN MOUNTAINEER.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE
SEGMENT ON THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
FOLKS, CHALLENGE GRANT.
WE STILL NEED TO HEAR FROM A FEW
MORE OF YOU TO GET TO OUR GOAL.
PLEASE CONSIDER DURING THIS
CHALLENGE THIS IS THE TIME TO
GIVE US A YOU CA.
AGAIN, JUST STARTING AT $10 A
MONTH, WE GOT THREE GREAT
LEVELS.
IF YOU WANT TO GET THE SHOW DVD
SET, OVER 50 RAILWAYS, A LOT OF
BONUS MATERIAL, INFORMATION ON
HOW THE SERIES STARTED AND HOW
WE'VE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN
PRESERVATION OF RAILCARS AS
WELL.
HOW ABOUT THE GUIDEBOOK, OVER
500 TOURIST RAILWAYS AND MUSEUMS
IN THERE, A GREAT WAY TO
RESEARCH AND FIND THEM ALL.
WE'VE GOT THE COMPUTER DIRECTORY
VERSION OF IT, WHICH IS
DOWNLOADABLE.
YOU CAN SEARCH ALL OF THEM, OVER
500 OF THEM AS WELL.
IF YOU WANT TO BUMP IT UP TO GET
THE MUSEUMS, THIS IS GREAT.
THIS IS A GREAT PACKAGE RIGHT
HERE, $20 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF $240, WHICH
BECOMES $480 IF YOU DO IT DURING
THIS BREAK WHICH YOU'LL REALLY
APPRECIATE.
YOU'LL GET ALL THE THANK YOU
GIFTS.
THESE ARE FAMILY PASSES.
YOU GOT TWO, YOU GOT TEN, JUST
BRING THEM.
IF YOU WANT TO BUNDLE UP INTO
THE DINNER TRAIN OR PIZZA TRAIN,
WE HAVE THAT.
AND THEN OBVIOUSLY OUR TOP
LEVEL, WHICH SOME OF YOU HAVE
COME ON BOARD.
THIS IS A GREAT VALUE FOR THE
DOLLAR.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE PIZZA
TRAIN, DINNER TRAIN, BOTH MUSEUM
PASSES AND THE THANK YOU GIFTS
WITH THE DRINK TUMBLER.
FOLKS, GOT ABOUT 40 SECONDS
BEFORE GOING BACK TO THE SHOW.
WE STILL NEED TO HEAR FROM THREE
MORE OF YOU.
PLEASE HELP US GET TO THAT.
I LOVE TO MAKE GOAL.
EVERYBODY KNOWS ME HERE.
I LOVE TO MAKE GOAL.
IF YOU ENJOY ANY PROGRAM ON PBS
WISCONSIN, PICK UP THE PHONE, GO
TO THE WEBSITE, HELP US MEET THE
GOAL DURING THIS CHALLENGE GRANT
BECAUSE THE FOLKS THAT
CONTRIBUTE THIS MONEY -- WE NEED
TWO MORE OF YOU TO CALL IN THE
NEXT 15 SECONDS OR WHILE WE'RE
INTO THIS NEXT BREAK.
WE ARE HEADED TO THE COLORADO
ROCKIES, TWO OF MY FAVORITE
TRIPS.
YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY ENJOY T.
WE'LL SEE YOU BACK IN ABOUT 20
MINUTES.
in Northwest Wisconsin,
where the air is so fresh, here in the legendary Northwoods.
We're about to introduce you to a determined family
that never says "we can't."
And over the last 25 years, they have created
some of the most unique rail venues in North America.
-Thank you. [ Indistinct conversations ]
-Dining, lounge, and sleeping cars
bring back fond memories of America's railroad past,
mostly only seen in history books and old movies today.
But a family in the small town of Trego, Wisconsin,
have re-created parts of that era,
along with introducing an array of new venues,
to catch the imagination of current generations.
-What you'll find here at the Wisconsin Great Northern
is absolutely unique in the industry.
Different services, different equipment.
Every time you come back,
I can pretty much guarantee it'll be a different experience.
-Different than any other tourist railroad
in North America
when you experience all the venues they offer,
with wine tastings and a historic dome car,
pizza trains for the kids, fine dining for the adults,
a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast,
and on the horizon are a restoration of a streamliner
that seemed more a sky-flying rocket ship
than railroad-bound.
-People want something unique to experience.
And so that's what we're trying to present to the public,
is a unique opportunity that they can't get anyplace else,
whether it be by the service we provide
or by the equipment that we operate,
that it's different from everybody else.
-The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
has been running since 1997.
In those early days, it was a multitask operation
running on fumes.
-There were times when we just simply didn't have the money,
and she'd sell tickets in the ticket office, hand me
20 bucks out of the till. I'd run to the gas station
and get 15 gallons of diesel fuel,
drive around the back side of the train, and pour it in.
And that was enough to make the trip.
-Sheer persistence helped the railroad grow,
along with the elimination of a certain word.
-There is no such word as "can't."
You may say, "Oh, I can't."
Well, you just find a way to do.
And so it might be a convoluted way of doing something,
>> IF GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS HAS INSPIRED YOU TO GET
OUT AND RIDE THE RAILS, MAKE A
GIFT AT OUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL OF
$240, OR AN ONGOING $20
CONTRIBUTION, AND WE WILL
PROVIDE YOU WITH FAMILY PASSES
TO VISIT THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
RAIL MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK, SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
EXHIBITS.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
LOCATED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
TRANSPORTS YOU TO THE GLORY AGE
OF RAIL TRAVEL ABOARD ROLLING
TIME MACHINES.
VISITORS OF ALL AGES ENJOY
EXPLORING ITS HISTORIC
COLLECTION AND CAN EXPERIENCE A
RIDE ON A LOVINGLY RESTORED
TRAIN.
YOUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL GIFT
INCLUDES FAMILY PASSES FOR BOTH
MUSEUMS.
AND, INCLUDED WITH YOUR MUSEUM
PASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
INTERESTED IN DINING ON THE
RAILS WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILROAD?
MAKE A GIFT OF $360 OR AN
ONGOING $30 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
AT OUR CONDUCTOR’S LEVEL, AND
YOU’LL HAVE THE CHOICE OF AN
ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO OR A FUN
MEAL FOR FIVE ON THE PIZZA
TRAIN.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD OFFERS THE COUNTRY’S
FIRST PRIVATE DINING SERVICE,
WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR OWN
ROOM AS YOU’RE SERVED AN
APPETIZER PLATE, A CUP OF SOUP
AND THEN YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF
THREE PRESELECTED ENTREES.
A LITTLE LATER YOU WILL DELIGHT
IN A GENEROUS SLICE OF A GOURMET
DESSERT.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL ENJOY THE
BEAUTY OF THE AREA AS YOU PASS
BY FARM FIELDS, DEEP WOODS, AND
THE SCENIC NAMEKAGON RIVER.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS,
THEN SELECT THE PIZZA TRAIN
PACKAGE.
IT’S ONE OF THE RAILROAD’S MOST
POPULAR, FAMILY-ORIENTED TRAIN
RIDES EACH SEASON.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO FIVE GUESTS
AND CHOOSE FROM PEPPERONI,
SAUSAGE OR CHEESE PIZZA BAKED
FRESH IN THE DINING CAR ON THE
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS YOU
WILL ALSO RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON WHICH
PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
THEN GET THEM ALL AT OUR
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL WITH A GIFT
OF $420, OR AN ONGOING
CONTRIBUTION OF $35 PER MONTH.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND A CERTIFICATE FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD’S DINNER OR PIZZA
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS IS
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET,
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK
AND THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
AND, AS AN EXTRA THANK-YOU GIFT,
WE’LL INCLUDE THE GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS DRINK TUMBLER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
RECEIVING JUST ONE OF THE
EXCLUSIVE GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
THANK-YOU GIFTS, CONTRIBUTE AT
OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AND YOU CAN
CHOOSE FROM THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW
3-DISC SET, THE NEW 8TH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, OR THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY WITH A
ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OF $120,
OR AN ONGOING GIFT OF JUST $10
PER MONTH.
THE ANNIVERSARY 3-DISC DVD SET
INCLUDES THE SHOW YOU’RE
WATCHING NOW, ALONG WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 40 RAILWAY ADVENTURES
PLUS BONUS FOOTAGE NOT SEEN IN
THE BROADCAST, INCLUDING A
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE
CREATOR AND PRODUCER, ROBERT VAN
CAMP, AND PAST SHOW HOST, DAVID
HOLT, AS THEY PROVIDE
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE HISTORY
OF THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER,
RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT THE MANY
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS IN NORTH
AMERICA, PLEASE ASK FOR THE NEW
8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
IT’S A COMPLETE AND UPDATED
DIRECTORY TO OVER 500 TOURIST
RAILROADS, RAILWAY MUSEUMS, AND
RAILROAD-RELATED ATTRACTIONS.
THIS BOOK INCLUDES DETAILED
WRITE-UPS, PICTURES, ROUTE MAPS
AND ROLLING STOCK, ALONG WITH
FULL CONTACT DETAILS ON EACH
LOCATION.
INTERESTED IN VISITING ALL THE
LOCATIONS IN THE BOOK ON YOUR
PC, MAC OR TABLET?
ASK FOR THE NEW DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IT FEATURES THE SAME LOCATIONS
AS THE BOOK, BUT OFFERS EVEN
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION,
VIDEOS, PICTURES, AND
INTERACTIVE MAPS, PLUS DIRECT
WEB LINKS TO OVER 500 LOCATIONS,
INCLUDING DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
AND YOUR SUPPORT OF PBS
WISCONSIN WHEN YOU MAKE A
DONATION AND REQUEST ONE OF
THESE EXCLUSIVE "GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS" GIFT PACKAGES.
>> COLORADO.
THE ROCKIES, ARE THEY NOT
GORGEOUS?
WE HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS.
BUT DON'T GO ANYWAY BECAUSE
WE'RE GOING TO PULL OUT THE
ILLINOIS SEGMENT WE DID A FEW
YEARS BACK AND SHOW YOU THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN AGAIN.
BUT MICHELE AND I AND EVERYBODY
HERE, WE WANT TO THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
WE STILL GOT PLENTY OF TRAIN
TICKETS FOR YOU.
HOP ON BOARD AND GET ONE OF
THESE GREAT PACKAGES AND SHOW
YOUR SUPPORT.
THE PIZZA TRAIN IS BECOMING
PRETTY POPULAR RIGHT NOW.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH
THE KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.
MAYBE THAT DINNER TRAIN.
YOU ALSO GET THE MUSEUM PASSES,
WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO
BOTH REPRESENTATIVES IN A
MINUTE.
>> THIS IS A GREAT VALUE, ALL OF
THESE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS.
YOU HAVE MUSEUMS.
YOU CAN GO OUT ON A DATE WITH
SOMEBODY THAT YOU CARE ABOUT.
IT'S A GREAT VALUE AND YOU ARE
SUPPORTING THE STATION THAT YOU
LOVE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHEN YOU MAKE
THAT DONATION AT 1-800-236-3636.
>> BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY YOU'RE
AN INVESTOR.
YOU'RE INVESTING IN SOMETHING
IMPORTANT.
WE'RE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER
NONPROFIT IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT
PROVIDES SERVICES THAT YOU RELY
ON, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE YMCA,
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, UNITED WAY,
PBS WISCONSIN.
LOOK AT THE VALUE OF WHAT WE
PROVIDE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMMING.
I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY
WHEN I TURN ON PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
I HOPE YOU DO AS WELL AND I HOPE
YOU FEEL THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS
GREAT NETWORK.
I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE 30
YEARS LATER IF IT WASN'T FOR
MEMBERS WHO CONTINUED TO PLEDGE
SAYING WE'RE ENJOYING "GREAT
SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS," WE
ENJOY THE GID GUIDEBOOK.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE INVESTING IN
NOW.
200 YEARS OF THE AMERICAN
RAILROAD, A SHOW WE'RE STARTING
NEXT YEAR.
WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR
PLEDGES OF SUPPORT.
YOU'RE LETTING THE PROGRAMMERS
KNOW YOU WANT TO SEE MORE
PROGRAMMING LIKE THIS.
CONSIDER ONE OF THOSE GREAT
PACKAGES.
>> YOU MAKE THIS PROGRAM AND ALL
THE PROGRAMS ON PBS POSSIBLE
WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PLEDGE AT
1-800-236-3636.
AND YOU KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE
OF WAYS YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A
DONATION.
YOU CAN DO ONE DOLLAR AMOUNT,
LIKE THAT $420 FOR THE
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL, OR YOU CAN
BREAK IT UP $35 A MONTH AS A
SUSTAINER.
NOW, WHAT IS A SUSTAINER?
WELL, IT MEANS THAT YOU MAKE
ONGOING MONTHLY GIFTS FROM YOUR
CREDIT CARD OR YOUR CHECKING
ACCOUNT.
IT RENEWS AUTOMATICALLY.
STILL MEANS THAT YOU CAN GET A
THANK YOU GIFT IF YOU WANT.
YOU JUST HAVE TO CALL IN.
IT'S QUICK.
IT'S EASY FOR YOU.
YOU CAN STOP IT, START IT, ADD
TO IT, SUBTRACT FROM IT WHENEVER
YOU WANT.
BUT THE ONE THING IT DOES IS IT
PROVIDES US WITH A STABLE SENSE
OF SUPPORT.
WE KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS
COMING FROM.
WE KNOW HOW TO PLAN.
MAKE YOUR DONATION AND CONSIDER
MAKING A SUSTAINER AT
1-800-236-3636.
>> WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT WE'VE
HAD NICK HERE WITH US.
WE'VE HAD JUSTICE WITH US
TALKING ABOUT THE TWO MUSEUMS.
BUT WE'RE ABOUT TO SEE YOUR
SEGMENT AGAIN, AND I'LL TELL
YOU, WHAT REALLY GRABBED ME WAS
THE PASSION BEHIND THE
VOLUNTEERS.
BECAUSE YOU'RE AN ALL-VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATION.
>> WE ARE.
WE ARE.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU A
LITTLE FOOTAGE OF THE IRM,
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
THAT IS A PIECE OF WORK.
NEBRASKA ZEPHYR WAS IT?
>> 1936.
>> AND THEY CAN RIDE IN THAT.
IT'S LIKE A TIME CAPSULE.
YOU GOT STEAM ENGINES, TROLLEYS.
>> STEAM ENGINE WAS BUILT FOR
THE SOVIET UNION IN 1918.
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION CAUSED IT
TO STAY IN THE STATES.
THE ORANGE CAR WAS THE FIRST ONE
IN THE COLLECTION.
WE HAVE QUITE A COLLECTION OF
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES, OVER
150.
WE HAVE THE COLLECTION OF THE
WISCONSIN ELECTRIC RAILWAY AND
THAT, THE TRE R & L, WHICH
RADIATED OUT OF MILWAUKEE.
WE HAVE MILWAUKEE STREET CARS AS
WELL AS CHICAGO STREET CARS,
TOO.
THEY'RE 100 YEARS OLD AND PEOPLE
CAN RIDE IN THEM.
>> THAT'S ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT
IT, IS YOU GET TO RIDE IN IT.
ALSO IS THE PASSION BEHIND THE
PEOPLE THAT ARE PRESERVING IT.
THEY'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT
WHAT THEY DO.
WE'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT
PROVIDING YOU GREAT PROGRAMMING.
PLEASE CONSIDER ONE OF THESE
PACKAGES.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY
AT THE IRM OR GO OVER TO THE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM AND TAKE
THOSE TRIPS UP IN WISCONSIN WITH
THE DINNER AND PIZZA TRAIN.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE
BIT MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL
RAILWAY MUSEUM WITH MICHELE.
>> JUSTICE, TELL ME A LITTLE.
YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF HISTORY AT
YOUR MUSEUM.
TELL ME ABOUT THE MORE
HISTORICAL LOW LOCOMOTIVES YOU HAVE.
>> DWIGHT EISENHOWER, OUR BIG
BOY, 1.1 MILLION-POUND STEAM
LOCOMOTIVE AND OUR ARROW TRAIN.
I HAVE MET GUESTS FROM
AUSTRALIA, EUROPE WHO ARE COMING
TO SEE THESE LOCOMOTIVES AND
IT'S REALLY AWESOME.
>> AND IT'S RIGHT IN OUR
BACKYARD.
SO WE CAN GO ANYTIME WE WANT
WITH THOSE FREE PASSES YOU GET
AS A THANK YOU GIFT.
<!8192> TELLSO TELL US ABOUT THE PULLMAN
TRAINS.
>> WE HAVE OUR PULLMAN LAKE
MICHIGAN TRAIN WHICH PORTERS
RODE ON.
AMAZING HISTORY.
IT'S SOMETIMES NOT HISTORY WE
MIGHT NOT WANT TO LEARN ABOUT,
BUT IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR
US TO UNDERSTAND HOW BLACK
PEOPLE WERE TREATED IN OUR
COUNTRY.
THIS LAKE MITCHELL SPEAKS
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT BLACK
PORTERS' EXPERIENCES ON THE
RAILROADS.
>> THAT'S REALLY COOL.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FINDING ALL
OF THESE TRAINS, DO YOU KNOW?
>> SOME OF THEM ARE DONATIONS.
SOME OF THEM ARE PURCHASED.
BUT BEING THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM, WE'RE A GREAT LANDING
SPOT FOR A LOT OF THAT ROLLING
STOCK.
WE'RE ALWAYS DOING REST RESTORATIONS,
SO YOU KNOW THESE PASSENGER
CARS, THESE DINING CARS, THEY
WILL BE WELL-TAKEN CARE OF AND
WE'RE LOOKING AFTER THEM.
>> WELL, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THAT
WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION AND GET
YOUR FREE PASSES TO THE RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
1-800-236-3636.
>> ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT BOTH
OF THOSE LOCATIONS IS IT IS
TRULY AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE,
A TACTILE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
WHERE YOU GET TO RIDE THE
TRAINS, YOU GET INTERPRETIVE
DISPLAYS, SO MUCH IMAGERY AND
ROLLING STOCK.
WE HOPE YOU'LL COME ON BOARD AND
MAKE THAT INVESTMENT TODAY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MUSEUMS,
BUT WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A
GREAT WAY TO HAVE A DINNER OR
MAYBE DO A PIZZA TRAIN WITH THE
KIDS.
ONE OF OUR PACKAGE LEVELS WITH
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILWAY WE HAVE THAT FOR YOU
WHERE YOU CAN GO UP, AND THIS IS
UP IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE
STATE, UP NEAR TREGO AND
SPOONER, AND IT IS UNBELIEVABLE.
YOU GET PRIVATE DINING ROOMS.
GREG AND MARDELL AND THEIR SON
ALEXANDER, THIS IS A FAMILY-RUN
BUSINESS, OVER 25 YEARS.
THEY'VE CREATED SOME OF THE MOST
UNIQUE VENUES.
I DO NOT KNOW OF ANOTHER TRAIN
WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PRIVATE
DINING ROOM.
TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE FOR YOU TO
GO UP THERE, GREAT FOOD, GREAT
EVERYTHING.
IF YOU CONSIDER THE $30
INVESTMENT, YOU'LL GET YOUR
CHOICE OF THAT DINNER TRAIN IF
YOU WANT OR YOU CAN ASK FOR THE
FAMILY PIZZA TRAIN FOR FIVE.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH FUN
THIS WAS, THE PARENTS HAVING
GREAT TIME, COMMUNICATING,
TALKING WITH THEIR KIDS.
PIZZA AND TRAINS JUST SEEM TO GO
TOGETHER QUITE WELL.
AS YOU CAN TELL, WISCONSIN IS
KNOWN FOR ITS CHEESE.
BELIEVE ME, THERE'S A LOT OF
THESE ON THOSE PIZZAS.
YOU GOT YOUR CHOICE AT THAT $30
LEVEL OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF $360.
TWO FOR THE DINNER TRAIN OR FIVE
FOR THE PIZZA TRAIN.
YOU STILL GET THE SHOW DVD, BLU
RAY AND THE GUIDEBOOK AND
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR
MIND AND YOU WANT BOTH, THIS IS
A GREAT GIFT IDEA, TOO.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU
EVERYTHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT,
THE MUSEUM PASSES FOR YOUR
FAMILY FOR BOTH MUSEUMS, THE TWO
DINNER TRAIN TICKETS AND FIVE
PIZZA TRAIN TICKETS ALONG WITH
THE THANK YOU GIFTS AND WE'RE
GOING TO THROW IN OUR
ANNIVERSARY DRINK TUMBLER AS
WELL.
ALL OF THESE THANK YOU GIFTS ARE
EXCLUSIVE TO YOU ONLY.
WE DO NOT SHARE THESE WITH
ANYBODY.
WE DON'T SELL THEM ANYWHERE
ELSE.
IT'S BECAUSE OUR MEMBERS MAKE
THIS PROGRAMMING POSSIBLE AND
SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING
ABOUT THE BOOK.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU
THIS BOOK.
IT IS A BOOK WE TOOK ABOUT THREE
YEARS TO PUT TOGETHER, TO
COMPILE ALL THIS INFORMATION OF
EVERY SINGLE TOURIST RAILWAY,
RAILWAY MUSEUM, RAILROAD-RELATED
ATTRACTION.
THIS IS A GREAT DIRECTORY FOR
YOU.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO RENEW
THEIR MEMBERSHIP ON THIS.
WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DID YOU KNOW
FACTS IN HERE THANKS TO THE
HISTORIC SITE THAT PROVIDED US
INFORMATION ABOUT HISTORY OF OUR
RAILROADS.
SO CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT.
AGAIN, WE'VE GOT SO MANY GREAT
WAYS FOR YOU TO SPOA YOUR SHOW YOUR
SUPPORT.
PICK UP THE PHONE, TALK TO ONE
OF OUR GREAT VOLUNTEERS.
IT'S A GREAT GROUP EFFORT THAT
MAKES ALL THIS POSSIBLE.
BUT YOU ARE THE FOUNDATION THAT
STARTS IT ALL AND THAT'S WHEN
YOU PICK UP THAT PHONE OR GO
ONLINE AND PLEDGE.
THIS IS OUR PUBLIC TELEVISION.
WE OWN IT.
WE MAKE IT WHAT IT IS.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN
IT TODAY.
?
>> VOLUNTEERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
THE BACKBONE OF OUR TOURIST
RAILWAYS AND RAILWAY MUSEUMS.
OUR NEXT LOCATION HAS OVER 200
THAT HELP RESTORE AND OPERATE
THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF RAIL
EQUIPMENT IN NORTH AMERICA.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED ABOUT AN
HOUR NORTHWEST OF CHICAGO
OUTSIDE THE TINY FARMING
COMMUNITY OF UNION.
>> IN AN OLD CORNFIELD FIVE
MINUTES EAST OF TOWN SITS A
MUSEUM THAT HOLDS OVER 460
PIECES OF WREA RETAIL HISTORY.
IT HAS TEN HUGE STORAGE BARNES
AND FIVE MILES OF WORKING TRACK.
IT'S ONE BIG TRAIN SET, THE BACK
DROP TO EIGHT HOLLYWOOD MOVIES,
ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM ALL
AROUND THE GLOBE ALONG WITH MANY
VOLUNTEERS LIKE JEFF TO HELP.
>> YOU HAVE A 2:55 ZEE DEPARTURE
EASTBOUND.
>> HIS DUTIES TODAY?
DISPATCHER, ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT JOBS HERE.
PERCHED 30 FEET UP, HE MANAGES
EVERY RAIL MOVEMENT AND THAT
COULD BE AS MANY AS FOUR TRAINS
AND A TROLLEY CAR ALL MOVING
AROUND THE COMPLEX AT THE SAME
TIME.
>> THIS IS FOR REAL.
THIS IS REAL EQUIPMENT.
THIS IS RAILROADING.
>> YES, IT IS.
BUT TO SHOWCASE IT ALL, THAT WAS
NO COINCIDENCE.
>> TO BRING ALIVE AMERICAN
RAILROAD HISTORY, THERE'S REALLY
NO BETTER PLACE TO DO THAT THAN
CHICAGO BECAUSE CHICAGO'S BEEN
THE HUB OF RAILROADING FOR SO
MANY YEARS.
>> WATCH YOUR STEP.
>> FRANK KNOWS.
HE GREW UP IN NORTH CHICAGO AND
RODE STREET CARS ALL THE TIME.
SO WHEN HE READ IN THE NEWSPAPER
THAT THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
NEEDED VOLUNTEERS, HE JUMPED AT
THE CHANCE.
>> WHEN I SAW OUR CHICAGO
STREETCAR 144, I SAID, OH, MY
GOD, SOMEBODY SAVE THE CHICAGO
STREETCAR.
AND I SAID, WHERE DO I SIGN?
>> AND FRANK'S BEEN HERE
VOLUNTEERING EVER SINCE.
HE'S FAR FROM ALONE.
A FLEET OF YOUNG AND OLD
VOLUNTEERS, GENERATIONS MAY
SEPARATE THEM, LIFE EXPERIENCES,
TOO, BUT THEY ALL HAVE ONE THING
IN COMMON: A PASSION FOR TRAINS
TRAINS.
VOLUNTEERS LIKE FRANK MAY HAVE
BEEN HERE, BUT A NEW GENERATION
IS PAYING IT FORWARD.
>> WE GET TO PLAY AROUND ON
THESE BIG OLD MACHINES WHICH IS
PROBABLY A GOOD PART OF IT.
WE JOKE LIKE THROUGHOUT THE REST
OF THE MUSEUM, HERE IN THE STEAM
ROOM, WE'RE THE BOYS WITH THE
BIG TOYS.
>> YELL AT YEN THEM IF YOU SEE ANY
PART FOULING.
>> HE KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF
REHABILITATING THE IRON AND
STEEL OF AMERICA.
HE LOVES WORKING SIDE BY SIDE
WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO
KEEP OUR RAILROAD HISTORY ALIVE
AND ROLLING DOWN THE TRACKS.
>> IT'S REALLY GREAT WHEN YOU
SEE THE YOUNG ONES FASCINATED BY
THESE THINGS AND ONE OF THE NICE
THINGS IS WE'RE INVOLVING YOUNG
PEOPLE IN THE SHOP WHERE THEY'RE
LEARNING THE TECHNIQUES AND
HOPEFULLY WILL KEEP IT GOING.
>> WELL, THAT WAS MORE THAN I
EXPECTED TO GET DONE TODAY.
WELL DONE, GUYS.
>> THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
STARTED IN 1953 AS A DREAM OF
TEN MEN, AND TODAY THE DREAM HAS
BLOSSOMED INTO A MUSEUM
DIFFERENT FROM ANY YOU'LL
EXPERIENCE.
>> THE LARGEST PIECE IN THE
COLLECTION?
A STAINLESS STEEL MASTERPIECE OF
RAILROADING HISTORY, ONE THAT
THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE A JOURNEY
ON.
>> IT'S THE OBSERVATION CAR UP
TO YOUR LEFT, PLEASE.
>> THIS IS THE TRAIN OF THE
GODDESSES, THE NEBRASKA ZEF ZEPHYR.
IT ONCE RAN BETWEEN CHICAGO AND
OMAHA BETWEEN 1947 TO 1971.
ITS TOP SPEED?
110 MILES AN HOUR.
TODAY'S PASSENGERS GO MUCH
SLOWER, BUT STILL GET THE FEEL
OF WHAT THIS TRAIN OFFERED
DURING ITS GLORY DAYS.
>> I SWEAR WHEN I FIRST SAW THE
TRAIN ON THE OUT SIDE, I WANT TO
HAND POLISH THE WHOLE THING,
HEAD TO TOE.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TRAIN.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED
BEFORE ITS TIME.
>> NO MATTER IF YOU'RE A VISITOR
OR A VOLUNTEER, ENTHUSE ISM IS
CONTAGIOUS.
HE TAKES PRIDE IN WHAT THEY'VE
ACCOMPLISHED.
>> WITHOUT ALL OF US DOING ALL
OF WHAT WE DO, THE MUSEUM WOULD
NOT FUNCTION.
THIS EQUIPMENT WOULDN'T RUN.
EVERYTHING WOULD BE STATIONARY.
JUST GO AND LOOK AT IT AND GO
HOME.
IT'S A LOT MORE FUN TO GET ON
THE EQUIPMENT, RUN THEM, AND THE
PUBLIC ENJOYS RIDING THESE OLD
TRAINS BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE
ELSE YOU CAN DO IT.
>> SOME PEOPLE SAY IF YOU JUST
HAVE PLAIN, DUMB LUCK EVENTUALLY
YOU'LL SUCCEED.
BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY A LOT OF
PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SEE
SOMETHING SAVED AND PER PERSEVERANCE
OF STICKING IT OUT.
THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS IS OUR
PEOPLE.
>> I THANK THEM.
THIS IS AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THIS
AREA.
I'M GRATEFUL I CAN COME HERE AND
SEE THIS WITH MY SON.
>> IT TAKES YEARS OF DEDICATION,
FROM A FLEET OF VOLUNTEERS, TO
MAKE EVERYTHING WORK HERE.
BUT WHAT CLEARLY DRIVES THEM
ALL, YOUNG AND OLD, IS THIS
PASSION FOR WHAT CAN MOVE ON TWO
STEEL RAILS.
THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE CREATED A
MUSEUM THAT IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A
PAINTING: STARK, STRONG AND
COLORFUL.
IT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR
COUNTRY'S INTELLECTUAL
HORSEPOWER AND THE PASSION OF A
FEW TO PRESERVE AND PRESENT A
LITTLE SLICE OF THIS NATION'S
RAILROAD HISTORY, ONE THAT CAN
BE ENJOYED BY ALL THAT VISIT THE
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
're ato a determined family
that never says "we can't."
And over the last 25 years, they have created
some of the most unique rail venues in North America.
-Thank you. [ Indistinct conversations ]
-Dining, lounge, and sleeping cars
bring back fond memories of America's railroad past,
mostly only seen in history books and old movies today.
But a family in the small town of Trego, Wisconsin,
have re-created parts of that era,
along with introducing an array of new venues,
to catch the imagination of current generations.
-What you'll find here at the Wisconsin Great Northern
is absolutely unique in the industry.
Different services, different equipment.
Every time you come back,
I can pretty much guarantee it'll be a different experience.
-Different than any other tourist railroad
in North America
when you experience all the venues they offer,
with wine tastings and a historic dome car,
pizza trains for the kids, fine dining for the adults,
a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast,
and on the horizon are a restoration of a streamliner
that seemed more a sky-flying rocket ship
than railroad-bound.
-People want something unique to experience.
And so that's what we're trying to present to the public,
is a unique opportunity that they can't get anyplace else,
whether it be by the service we provide
or by the equipment that we operate,
that it's different from everybody else.
-The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
has been running since 1997.
In those early days, it was a multitask operation
running on fumes.
-There were times when we just simply didn't have the money,
and she'd sell tickets in the ticket office, hand me
20 bucks out of the till. I'd run to the gas station
and get 15 gallons of diesel fuel,
drive around the back side of the train, and pour it in.
And that was enough to make the trip.
-Sheer persistence helped the railroad grow,
along with the elimination of a certain word.
-There is no such word as "can't."
You may say, "Oh, I can't."
Well, you just find a way to do.
And so it might be a convoluted way of doing something,
but you try your darndest to find a way to get it done.
-I don't recognize the word "can't."
Don't tell me it can't be done
because we'll show you how fast it can be done.
-Greg and Mardell's son, Alexander,
has grown up around trains his whole life,
and because of that, he bluntly dismisses
more popular teen pursuits.
-Cars suck. Trains rule.
And sports are overrated.
All right. We are now coming into the Namekagon River
and Veazie Springs.
-Like his parents,
Alexander wears a lot of hats on this railroad.
Tonight, he's a server and is impressing his guests.
-He was an anomaly.
An amazing young man.
-Yeah, another day of Alexander fan club.
-You see a little bit of that funny, ha-ha sarcasm.
He's always learned sarcasm. He's learned it good.
I like to describe him as my 83-year-old farmer.
He is very straight-faced around people
he doesn't necessarily know.
-Just a sponge.
He just picks up data and information
about the various pieces of equipment
like I can't even imagine.
He knows more about the equipment than I do.
-The family stays very busy doing a variety of jobs
for each of its unique trips.
There is one constant in all of them, though --
experiencing the splendor and beauty of the Great Northwoods.
-You can't beat the view. It's so beautiful in the fall,
especially when the tamaracks start to change.
-Through the pastoral landscape and deep woods, guests
take in all the beauty this trip offers.
One of the favorite spots is so serene and peaceful,
the train comes to a stop to allow all
to take in the natural wonders of the Namekagon River.
-When we stopped at the watershed earlier,
we just thought it was like someone had painted the sky
and the brush.
Like, it was just so beautiful with the sunset
and the moon over top.
I just love every moment of it, honestly.
-And what could add to these moments?
How about a meal prepared
and served in your own private dining room?
-The dinner was amazing.
It was just beyond expectations, honestly,
to get to spend time with family here,
to look out and see this painterly landscape
that just glistens and is golden with autumn light.
I just love every moment of it.
-Fine dining is just one of the many options here
on the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad.
-Here's your pepperoni pizza, Mr. Van Camp.
-Thank you, Jose. The other is their pizza train,
and it is definitely a hit with families.
-It's very unique. The kids love it.
They get to go on a train,
and they get to have their favorite meal.
They are cheeseaholics, being from Wisconsin.
[ Laughs ]
It's very nice to have --
have this here and keep that in our culture.
-Speaking of culture,
the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
also offers a sophisticated wine and cheese pairing trip
aboard the Sky Parlour, a 1956 dome car
that was once part of the famed El Capitan
that operated from Chicago to Los Angeles
on the Santa Fe Railroad.
-It's definitely a rolling piece of history.
It's really neat to be on something like this.
Unique experience, for sure. The wine was great.
The train ride experience was awesome.
-The various train rides run about 2 1/2 hours.
And for many guests, they can't bear to leave.
So leave it to the Wisconsin Great Northern
to offer something for them to stay --
a unique experience with their bed-and-breakfast package,
where delighted travelers ride and dine
and get to sleep overnight in their historic cars.
-It way exceeded my expectations.
It was first-class all the way.
The staff was awesome.
Last night's supper --
The hors d'oeuvres, the drinks, the food was awesome
all the way to the end, to the dessert.
Then we had our own sleeping car.
It was awesome. [ Laughs ]
And it was a queen-sized bed. First-class, first-rate.
-After a restful night's sleep
in one of the beautiful railcar suites,
guests awake to the wonderful smells
of a country cooked breakfast,
compliments of Chef Greg, truly a Renaissance man.
Mmm.
Mmm-mmm-mmm.
-We believe that we are continuing to create the history
of these pieces of rolling stock.
100 years from now, hopefully these cars will still be here
and still be usable because of our efforts.
-Of course I'm proud of all of this.
How could you not be proud of it?
'Cause if I weren't proud of it, I wouldn't be a part of it.
-Thanks to Greg and Mardell and Alexander,
along with the rest of their staff,
you can be a part of something very special --
experiences that are created by a dedicated family,
preserving and presenting many one-of-a-kind railroad journeys
deep in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
?
>> IF GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS HAS INSPIRED YOU TO GET
OUT AND RIDE THE RAILS, MAKE A
GIFT AT OUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL OF
$240, OR AN ONGOING $20
CONTRIBUTION, AND WE WILL
PROVIDE YOU WITH FAMILY PASSES
TO VISIT THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
RAIL MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED
STATES, WITH OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK, SEASONAL TRAIN
RIDES AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
EXHIBITS.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
LOCATED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
TRANSPORTS YOU TO THE GLORY AGE
OF RAIL TRAVEL ABOARD ROLLING
TIME MACHINES.
VISITORS OF ALL AGES ENJOY
EXPLORING ITS HISTORIC
COLLECTION AND CAN EXPERIENCE A
RIDE ON A LOVINGLY RESTORED
TRAIN.
YOUR ENGINEER’S LEVEL GIFT
INCLUDES FAMILY PASSES FOR BOTH
MUSEUMS.
AND, INCLUDED WITH YOUR MUSEUM
PASSES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
INTERESTED IN DINING ON THE
RAILS WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILROAD?
MAKE A GIFT OF $360 OR AN
ONGOING $30 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION
AT OUR CONDUCTOR’S LEVEL, AND
YOU’LL HAVE THE CHOICE OF AN
ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO OR A FUN
MEAL FOR FIVE ON THE PIZZA
TRAIN.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD OFFERS THE COUNTRY’S
FIRST PRIVATE DINING SERVICE,
WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR OWN
ROOM AS YOU’RE SERVED AN
APPETIZER PLATE, A CUP OF SOUP
AND THEN YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF
THREE PRESELECTED ENTREES.
A LITTLE LATER YOU WILL DELIGHT
IN A GENEROUS SLICE OF A GOURMET
DESSERT.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL ENJOY THE
BEAUTY OF THE AREA AS YOU PASS
BY FARM FIELDS, DEEP WOODS, AND
THE SCENIC NAMEKAGON RIVER.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE KIDS,
THEN SELECT THE PIZZA TRAIN
PACKAGE.
IT’S ONE OF THE RAILROAD’S MOST
POPULAR, FAMILY-ORIENTED TRAIN
RIDES EACH SEASON.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO FIVE GUESTS
AND CHOOSE FROM PEPPERONI,
SAUSAGE OR CHEESE PIZZA BAKED
FRESH IN THE DINING CAR ON THE
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS YOU
WILL ALSO RECEIVE THE
ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET, THE
NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK, AND
THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON WHICH
PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
THEN GET THEM ALL AT OUR
PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL WITH A GIFT
OF $420, OR AN ONGOING
CONTRIBUTION OF $35 PER MONTH.
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM AND A CERTIFICATE FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN
RAILROAD’S DINNER OR PIZZA
TRAIN.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKETS IS
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW 3-DISC SET,
THE NEW 8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK
AND THE DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY.
AND, AS AN EXTRA THANK-YOU GIFT,
WE’LL INCLUDE THE GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS DRINK TUMBLER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
RECEIVING JUST ONE OF THE
EXCLUSIVE GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
THANK-YOU GIFTS, CONTRIBUTE AT
OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AND YOU CAN
CHOOSE FROM THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW
3-DISC SET, THE NEW 8TH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, OR THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY WITH A
ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OF $120,
OR AN ONGOING GIFT OF JUST $10
PER MONTH.
THE ANNIVERSARY 3-DISC DVD SET
INCLUDES THE SHOW YOU’RE
WATCHING NOW, ALONG WITH AN
ADDITIONAL 40 RAILWAY ADVENTURES
PLUS BONUS FOOTAGE NOT SEEN IN
THE BROADCAST, INCLUDING A
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE
CREATOR AND PRODUCER, ROBERT VAN
CAMP, AND PAST SHOW HOST, DAVID
HOLT, AS THEY PROVIDE
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE HISTORY
OF THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER,
RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT THE MANY
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS IN NORTH
AMERICA, PLEASE ASK FOR THE NEW
8TH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
IT’S A COMPLETE AND UPDATED
DIRECTORY TO OVER 500 TOURIST
RAILROADS, RAILWAY MUSEUMS, AND
RAILROAD-RELATED ATTRACTIONS.
THIS BOOK INCLUDES DETAILED
WRITE-UPS, PICTURES, ROUTE MAPS
AND ROLLING STOCK, ALONG WITH
FULL CONTACT DETAILS ON EACH
LOCATION.
INTERESTED IN VISITING ALL THE
LOCATIONS IN THE BOOK ON YOUR
PC, MAC OR TABLET?
ASK FOR THE NEW DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IT FEATURES THE SAME LOCATIONS
AS THE BOOK, BUT OFFERS EVEN
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION,
VIDEOS, PICTURES, AND
INTERACTIVE MAPS, PLUS DIRECT
WEB LINKS TO OVER 500 LOCATIONS,
INCLUDING DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
AND YOUR SUPPORT OF PBS
WISCONSIN WHEN YOU MAKE ONE OF
THESE DONATIONS AND RECEIVE A
GIFT PACKAGE.
>> WELL, WE HOPE THAT YOU
ENJOYED THAT ENCORE EXPERIENCE
WITH THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
AND THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO GO OUT THERE
AND SEE THE BEAUTY OF THIS
REGION OF THE COUNTRY.
WE HOPE YOU'LL GIVE US A CALL.
THIS IS OUR LAST BREAK, LAST
OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE HERE IN THE STUDIOS OF PBS
WISCONSIN AND WE ARE CELEBRATING
OUR RAILROAD HERITAGE AND THIS
GREAT NETWORK THAT YOU HAVE MADE
POSSIBLE FOR SO MANY YEARS.
WE HOPE YOU'LL BECOME A MEMBER,
RENEW THAT MEMBERSHIP.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO
CONTRIBUTE.
>> THERE ARE.
WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THIS
STATION, YOU'RE NOT JUST
SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM, BUT
YOU'RE ALSO SUPPORTING ALL THE
GREAT PROGRAMMING, THE
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THE HOW-TO
PROGRAMS LIKE COOKING AND TRAVEL
AND PAINTING.
YOU MAKE THAT POSSIBLE WITH YOUR
DONATION.
DO IT RIGHT NOW, 1-800-236-3636.
>> AND IF YOU REMEMBER, THERE
ARE MANY WAYS WITH THE TRAIN
PACKAGES.
YOU KNOW, OUR TOP PACKAGE YOU'RE
GOING TO GET FAMILY PASSES TO
BOTH THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
AND THE ILLINOIS RAILROAD MUSEUM
AND THE PIZZA TRAIN AND DINNER
TRAIN TICKETS.
YOU CAN BREAK THESE UP, SHARE
THEM WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, BUT
THIS IS OUR LAST BREAK, LAST
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO DO THIS.
WE DON'T SELL THESE GIFTS IN THE
STORE.
YOU WON'T FIND THEM AN AMAZON.
YOU'LL ONLY GET THOSE HERE.
WE CREATED THESE PRODUCTS FOR
YOU, OUR MEMBERS.
IT'S OUR WAY TO SAY THANK YOU.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THEY ARE.
THEY ARE THANK YOU GIFTS FOR
YOUR SUPPORT.
CONSIDER MAKING THAT INVESTMENT.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE AT ANY TIME OR
CALL US AT 1-800-236-3636.
WE GOT A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS TO
TAKE YOUR CALL RIGHT NOW.
>> THEY'RE WAITING FOR YOUR
CALL, SO PLEASE MAKE YOUR
DONATION, pbswisconsin.org OR
1-800-236-3636.
YOU KNOW, FOR 30 YEARS ROB HAS
TAKEN US ON THESE SCENIC AND
HISTORIC TOURS ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY, AND YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO
- RIDE ALONG WITH PBS WISCONSIN.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO SHOW
YOUR SUPPORT BY MAKING A
DONATION AT 1-800-236-3636.
THE BEST WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS
BY BECOMING A SUSTAINER.
IT'S FAST.
IT'S EASY.
IT'S ONGOING MONTHLY SUPPORT
FROM YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT OR
CREDIT CARD.
YOU CAN STOP IT.
YOU CAN START IT WHENEVER YOU
WANT, ADD TO IT, SUBTRACT.
YOU STILL GET A THANK YOU GIFT.
IT'S FAST, IT'S EASY.
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW SECONDS.
ASK FOR YOURS WHEN YOU TALK TO
ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS.
1-800-236-3636.
>> AND I'M BACK AGAIN WITH
JUSTICE AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, AN
UNBELIEVABLE LOCATION, AND YOU
HAVE SO MUCH HISTORY AND
INTERPRETATION FOR FOLKS.
I'M JUST AMAZED OF YOUR
COLLECTION AS WELL.
AND THAT'S WHAT EXCITES ME ABOUT
THESE PACKAGES THAT WE'RE GIVING
TO OUR MEMBERS.
IS THAT WITH YOU AND ILLINOIS
RAILWAY MUSEUM COMBINED
TOGETHER, THESE TWO LOCATIONS
ARE THE BEST IN THIS PART OF THE
COUNTRY FOR SURE.
YOU GET TO TAKE A TRAIN RIDE,
TOO.
>> WE HAVE SEASONAL TRAIN RIDES
AT THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPLORE OUR GROUNDS.
WE HAVE OVER 70 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK INSIDE AND
OUTSIDE.
WE HAVE SOME AMAZING
LOCOMOTIVES.
WE HAVE THE DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER.
WE HAVE THE BIG BOY RIGHT OVER
THERE, WHICH IS OVER 50 YARDS
LONG.
IT IS A HUGE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE.
WE ALSO HAVE ARROW TRAIN NO. 2
AS WELL AS TWO PASSENGER CARS
WITH THAT LOCOMOTIVE.
>> YEAH.
IT'S REALLY LIKE STEPPING BACK
IN TIME.
THAT'S ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT
THESE MUSEUMS.
THEY'RE NOT JUST INTERPRETATIVE.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO THERE.
IT'S A TACTILE EXPERIENCE WHERE
YOU REALLY LEARN ABOUT HOUR
RAILROAD HERITAGE.
TO SEE THE KIDS' FACES LOOKING
UP AT THAT MAMMOTH STEAM ENGINE
AND BEING ABLE TO TOUR THEM AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT.
WE'LL GET YOU PASSES TO THE
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM AND THE
NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM.
AGAIN, THESE ARE FAMILY PASSES,
FOLKS, AND WE'LL GIVE YOU ALL
THOSE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS AS
WELL.
TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE
ILLINOIS RAILROAD MUSEUM.
WE HAVE NICK KALLAS WITH
MICHELE.
>> TELL ME ABOUT WHAT NEW
PROJECTS YOU ARE WORKING ON?
>> WE'RE WORKING ON THE ELECTRIC
LIGHTER, A FAMOUS TRAIN.
THERE WAS A BIG COMPETITION WITH
THE RAILROADS BETWEEN CHICAGO
AND MILWAUKEE.
SO YOU HAD THE MILWAUKEE ROAD,
WHOSE HAT I HAVE ON HERE.
YOU HAD THE CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN
AND THE NORTH SHORELINE, AN
ELECTRIC COMPANY.
IN 1941 THEY DEVELOPED A
HIGH-SPEED TRAIN, TWO OF THEM.
THEY RAN BETWEEN CHICAGO AND
MILWAUKEE.
THEY'D START OUT IN MILWAUKEE
AND CHICAGO AT THE SAME TIME AND
IN AN HOUR AND 45 MINUTES YOU'D
BE IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE AT 6TH
AND MICHIGAN.
IT'S AN INTERESTING TRAIN.
IT'S WELL-KNOWN BY A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
THAT COMPANY QUIT IN 1963.
SO THE REAL HISTORY IS AT THE
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
>> THE ONLY PLACE YOU'RE GOING
TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT TRAIN.
>> A REAL ELECTRIC LINER THAT
HAD ELECTRIC BURNERS.
>> WHEN WILL IT BE READY TO SEE?
>> WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE IT OUT
FOR THE BI-CENTENNIAL.
IT HAS BEEN PAINTED BACK TO ITS
ORIGINAL COLORS AND WE PUT IT
OUT ON DISPLAY ONCE IN A WHILE
FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
BUT THE VOLUNTEERS ARE WORKING
ON THE INTERIOR OF IT.
IT HAD A TAVERN LOUNGE CAR.
IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU'RE IN
CHICAGO AT THE L STATION AND
THIS THING PULLS UP AND YOU SEE
SOMEBODY EATING A HAMBURGER,
EATING A BEER, WHY CAN'T I BE ON
THAT TRAIN?
>> YOU WANT TO BE ON THAT TRAIN.
WELL, YOU CAN SEE THIS TRAIN
SHORTLY WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION
FOR $240.
YOU WILL GET PASSES TO THE
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE A
DONATION AT 1-800-236-3636.
>> I TELL YOU, WHAT A GREAT WAY,
$20 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP TO GET
BOTH OF THESE GREAT HISTORIC
OCCASIONS WITH THE LARGEST
COLLECTION.
COMBINE THEM TOGETHER.
YOU COULD SPEND WEEKS IN THERE
AND STILL NOT GET TO SEE ALL OF
THE COLLECTIONS THEY HAVE AND
ALL THE DOCUMENTATION.
CONSIDER MAKING THAT INVESTMENT.
TAKE SOME PRIDE IN YOUR TWO
LOCAL RAILWAY MUSEUMS HERE WHEN
YOU MAKE THAT CONTRIBUTION.
NOW, IF YOU WANT TO STEP IT UP A
LITTLE BIT AND STILL GET THE
MUSEUM PASSES, BOTH OF THEM, AND
GET YOUR CHOICE TO RIDE ON A
DINNER TRAIN OR A FAMILY PIZZA
TRAIN ON THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN, BUMP IT UP TO $30
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND WE'LL
GIVE YOU YOUR CHOICE TO HAVE A
NICE CHILDREN FOR TWO.
YOU GOT AN ANNIVERSARY COMING
UP, A BIRTHDAY.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT, THESE ARE
THE ONLY ONES IN THE COUNTRY.
GREG AND MARDELL AND THEIR TEAM
HAVE PUT TOGETHER PRIVATE DINING
ROOMS.
THESE ARE FRAMED IN SO THERE'S
NO ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF YOU.
YOU GET YOUR OWN PRIVATE ROOM
AND THEY ALSO HAVE IF YOU WANT
TO BE IN THE OPEN ROOMS LIKE IT
WAS TRADITIONALLY BACK IN THE
DAY.
THAT'S ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT
THE PRESENTATIONS THEY DO HERE.
YOU WILL REALLY ENJOY THAT
DINNER TRAIN.
THE SCENERY IS JUST GORGEOUS UP
THERE.
YOU GOT THE WOODS, THE FOREST,
THE FARMLAND, THE RIVER.
ALL THAT'S COMPACT IN THESE
ROUND TRIPS.
SO IF THAT ONE WORKS FOR YOU.
- OR IF YOU WANT THE FAMILY PIZZA
TRAIN, THINK ABOUT THAT.
TAKE THE KIDS AND THE GRANDKIDS
AND GO UP THERE AND ENJOY THIS
TEN-MILE ROUND TRIP THROUGH THE
SAME BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AS THE
DINNER TRAIN, BUT YOU GET SOME
WISCONSIN CHEESE WITH YOUR
PIZZA.
THE KIDS LOVE IT.
IT'S FUN.
FAMILY ORIENTED.
THE ONLY TIME I SAW PEOPLE'S
PHONES OUT IS WHEN THEY WERE
TAKING PICTURES.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE UP
THERE.
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND
WHICH ONE YOU WANT, COME ON
BOARD AT A LITTLE BIT MORE, $35
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP, YOU GET
THE MUSEUM PASSES AND BOTH THE
DINNER TRAIN AND THE FAMILY
PIZZA TRAIN.
SO YOU CAN MAYBE SHARE THESE AS
GIFTS WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY.
OF COURSE YOU'RE GOING TO GET
THE DVD SET, THE GUIDEBOOK AND
THE DRINK TUMBLER.
SO THINK ABOUT THAT INVESTMENT
AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET THAT
SO WE'LL TOSS IT BACK TO
MICHELE.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND THE PIZZA
TRAIN BECAUSE NOTHING GOES
BETTER TOGETHER THAN PIZZA AND
TRAINS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A
KID OR A FAMILY.
BUT NO MATTER WHAT MEMBERSHIP
LEVEL YOU DONATE AT, ALL OF
THESE SUGGESTED LEVELS YOU GET
TWO OTHER BENEFITS.
ONE OF THEM IS "AIRWAVES," OUR
PROGRAM GUIDE.
THE OTHER IS PBS PASSPORT, WHICH
IS AN EXTENSIVE ONLINE LIBRARY
OF PBS SHOWS, PBS WISCONSIN
SHOWS.
IT'S LIKE NETFLIX FOR PBS.
YOU CAN BINGE WATCH YOUR
FAVORITE SHOWS AS OPPOSED TO
WAITING FOR THEM TO COME ON WEEK
AFTER WEEK.
THAT IS AVAILABLE AT ANY OF THE
LEVELS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT
RIGHT NOW.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU
BECOME A MEMBER.
IT'S EASY TO DO.
1-800-236-3636.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT LIVE
TV IS I CAN JUST WALK BACK INTO
THE PICTURE.
SO WE ARE WRAPPING UP THE 30TH
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL PROGRAM THAT
HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR
PBS WISCONSIN FAMILY, OUR
MEMBERS.
NOW, FOLKS, WE KNOW SOME OF YOU
ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS, YOU GOT
TO TALK TO LOVED ONES, YOU THINK
I MISSED MY OPPORTUNITY WHEN WE
GO TO ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.
NO.
WRITE THE PHONE NUMBER DOWN.
WRITE THE WEBSITE DOWN.
WE'LL BE HERE TOMORROW, THE NEXT
DAY.
WE ASK THAT YOU GET IN TOUCH
WITH US DURING THIS FUND-RAISING
DRIVE.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT AND THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING ME TO COME INTO YOUR
HOMES FOR 30 YEARS AND BRING YOU
ALL THESE GREAT RAILROAD
ATTRACTIONS.
THE RAILROADS BUILT AMERICA AND
YOU BUILT PBS WISCONSIN.
SO CONSIDER THAT INVESTMENT.
>> 1-800-236-3636 IS HOW YOU
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.
GO TO pbswisconsin.org AND
MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW AND
THANKS.
?