*
* Get on board
* We're ready to go
* See the world
from the scenic railroad *
* From the snowcapped mountains
to the sunny coast *
* On the
great scenic railway journey *
*
[ Banjo plays ]
*
>> Welcome to
"Great Scenic Railway Journeys."
I'm David Holt.
For over a quarter of a century,
we've been profiling some of
the best railway adventures
North America has to offer.
this program,
we're going to take you to some
of the oldest heritage railways,
show you some of today's most
unique rail adventures, and
visit a few of America's
treasured national historic
sites.
All this and much more
coming up on
"Great Scenic Railway Journeys."
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> In this program, we visit
some of North America's
treasured heritage railways
and historical sites.
We relive one of America's
greatest transportation
accomplishments --
the completion of
the Transcontinental Railroad.
Take a trip through Arizona's
Red Rock Canyons and marvel
at a very special guest.
Wine and dine on America's
only bed-and-breakfast train.
Take a steam journey along
the beautiful banks of
Lake Superior.
Ride on North America's oldest
continually operating railroad.
Journey back in time and get
a taste of the streamliner era.
Experience all the wonders at
Steamtown National Historic
Site.
See where Hollywood goes when
they need a train for one of
their movies.
Head into the forests of
British Columbia, where steam
powers more than just
locomotives.
Then go deep in
the Appalachian Mountains
to see the largest collection
of logging locomotives at work.
Experience the sights and sounds
the Black Hills offer by rail,
and finish up at a railway
jam session as we carve
our way through the Rockies.
All this and more coming up on
"Great Scenic Railway Journeys:
150 Years on the Right Track."
>> At our first stop,
passengers don't board a train.
Instead, they're able to relive
the most significant rail event
in U.S. history --
the completion of the
Transcontinental Railway.
On May 10th, 1869,
in Promontory Summit, Utah,
east met west, and with the
driving of a single golden
spike, our country was changed
forever.
*
This national historic park
is located an hour-and-a-half's
drive north of Salt Lake City at
a spot where the wide-open
plains turned out to be the
perfect place to make
transportation history.
Even today, Promontory Summit
is a place frozen in time.
It's like the clock just stopped
on that day when the nation
focused its attention on this
sagebrush-covered high desert.
>> The landscape here remains
largely unchanged.
There were probably more tent
structures and more activity
here on May 10th, 1869,
than there is today.
Luckily, today, we don't have
any modern intrusions.
>> That's what makes
Golden Spike National Historic
Site such a treasure.
In the blink of an eye, it takes
you back to that incredible
moment in 1869 when two ribbons
of iron met, and the
steam-powered engines that built
America could finally carry
freight and passengers from
coast to coast.
>> Building this railroad
was the modern equivalent
of building The Pyramids.
It was this huge feat of hand
labor and hand construction.
>> It took a lot of sweat,
engineering, and negotiating to
make this incredible feat
happen.
Two railroads, thousands of
workers, and wealthy businessmen
on both coasts, along with
a few Washington politicians,
had to hammer out the details.
The Pacific Railway Act of 1862
opened up the floodgates
for federal money to pay
for construction of a rail line
across the continent.
The Union Pacific workers headed
west from the Missouri River,
while the Central Pacific crews
started working east
from Sacramento, California.
>> The Union Pacific was
actually trying to build beyond
Ogden and strand their rivals
out in the desert, wherehey
would go broke not having access
to the trade of the
Salt Lake Basin.
Because of that, they just kept
building towards one another,
and it actually took
a government act
to establish the meeting point
here at Promontory.
>> Once the meeting spot was
set, the crews wanted to make
their mark.
In Wyoming, the Union Pacific
workers laid 7 miles of track
in a single day,
setting a pace they said could
never be topped, but it was.
On April 28th, 1869, hundreds of
Central Pacific workers set out
to break the record, placing
ties and setting out spikes to
lay 10 miles of track in a
single day.
Today, you can follow the path
they laid across the desert at
the Golden Spike National
Historic Site.
>> We have two auto tours where
you can drive right on the
original 1869 railroad route
right where the trains went, so
you can take your own scenic
railway journey through the park
here, through Promontory, and
experience what it was like
riding in those coaches across
the country.
>> Ladies and gentlemen,
on behalf of the officials
of both railroad companies,
the Central Pacific
and the Union Pacific...
>> Hear, hear!
>> ...I bid you welcome!
[ Cheers and applause ]
>> Today, the
National Park Service keeps this
moment in history alive by
recreating this historic
transportation event when the
two lines met with volunteers
and a pair of steam engines
identical to the Jupiter and the
119 that were used that day.
>> We're met today to celebrate
the completion of a remarkable
example of the vision,
determination, and the labor
of thousands of men in a union
which this day shall be
consummated forever.
>> Hear, hear!
>> It's like opening a history
book and watching the characters
come to life.
>> In conclusion, I should like
to draw your attention to this
spike...
>> Ooh!
>> ...the gift of David Hughes
of San Francisco.
On its head is inscribed,
"The Last Spike."
On three sides, the names of
railroad officials, and on the
fourth side, this sentence --
"May God continue the unity of
our country as this railroad
unites the two great oceans of
e world."
>> The official golden spike
was one of several commemorative
spikes driven in that day, but
the railroad officials were off
the mark, so they had to call in
one of the rail workers to get
the job done.
Then the news was sent out
by telegraph across the nation.
>> Promontory to the country,
bulletin -- D-O-N-E, done!
>> Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, hooray!
>> The technology of
communication and transportation
would bring Americans together
just a few years after a long
and bitter war had torn them
apart.
>> We forget what a great
accomplishment that this was
and what a significant
national event that it was.
It was probably the first
full-coverage media event with
live coverage here via the
telegraph.
It was so important that it was
celebrated all over this country
almost simultaneously.
>> I remember reading about this
when I was a child and seeing it
in books.
My children watched shows about
trains, and they know about some
of the stories that go with
that, and this would be
something that I hope they
remember.
>> Well, I think it's important
for kids to know about the
history of our country, and
bringing them to an event like
this lets them see it in action
instead of just reading it in a
book.
They can kind of have a concept
of what really happened.
>> All right!
>> Yay!
>> And it's fun, besides.
>> The moment the rail lines met
has been called one of
the most important events
in Western history.
>> And just like these
locomotives and this site,
it'll be here for our
great-great-great-grandchildren,
and that's what's important so
that we remember the
significance of what was
accomplished here.
*
>> Have you ever taken
a train trip where an
American Bald Eagle was
a fellow passenger?
Probably not.
Well, our next journey gives you
that unique experience
as it travels through some of
the treasured canyon landscapes
of Arizona's high desert.
Next stop --
Verde Canyon Railroad.
>> To experience this
one-of-a-kind trip, you'll need
to head to the beautiful
Red Rock canyons of
North Central Arizona to the
town of Clarkdale, which lies
about 2 hours north of Phoenix.
Nature has its way of creating
spectacular landscapes,
but sometimes it takes time
to mold the masterpiece.
That's what unfolds here as you
ride the Verde Canyon Railroad.
>> Oh, it's the Red Rock.
It's the mountains.
It's the different formations.
It's the fresh green of the
spring of the trees, the water
that's so green right now.
It's realla joy
to be on this train right now.
>> A journey full of contrast
and stunning views, ones that
can only be seen from this
train.
>> We actually climb up into the
canyon.
We ascend 600 feet, and, at that
point, you are 1,800 feet down
in the Red Rocks, and that's
probably my favorite part
because you are surrounded.
You have all the shadows,
so you have all the trees.
You see them glistening, and
then you've got that beautiful
river.
>> You might think you're
heading back in time as you ride
through the Old West, but this
is different.
There's a level of luxury that's
hard to find anywhere else,
starting with an exclusive ride
in a caboose.
>> Welcome aboard
the Verde Canyon Railroad, guys.
My name is Brandon.
I'm going to be your car
attendant aboard our wonderful
caboose today.
>> The caboose is a very
luxurious, private way
to travel for up to six people.
If you just want to have a
little space to yourself and
spend time with your family or
friends, this is the way to go.
>> Clearly not your typical
railroad caboose, this one comes
with an attendant, plush seats,
appetizers and drinks,
elegant viewing platforms on
both ends and a cupola on top.
>> Cupola was neat, very,
very neat experience
riding up high, seeing all
the train in front of you.
Very scenic looking out
the back -- beautiful canyon,
beautiful river, very nice.
>> But the privacy of the
caboose isn't the only
great seat on this train.
The passengers
in the first-class cars
are enjoying some nice creature
comforts, as well.
>> Can I offer you some
champagne?
>> A champagne toast with her
neighbor, couches and loveseats,
high-backed chairs,
hors d'oeuvres, and plenty
of elbow room for all.
>> I was surprised when I walked
on and saw nice leather couches,
and we've got a group of four,
so it was nice that we could
all sit together and have these
great vistas to look out at.
>> Quality time seems to be
in short supply these days.
Most people say back home,
they're always in a hurry.
Not out here.
>> It's calming.
It is rejuvenating because it
forces you, whether you want to
or not, to relax, which is
something that we really have a
hard time doing in today's
fast-paced life, so, to me,
this is what a vacation...
and just enjoying the time
and the calmness of the area.
>> When you look at the isolated
beauty of this area, you wonder
why a railroad needed to be
built here in the first place.
There's a rich beauty
underground, as well,
in the form of silver and gold.
From 1900 to 1920, the mines
under the town of Jerome
were considered to be the most
profitable in the world.
>> The Little Daisy produced
something like 6 tons of gold,
220 tons of silver,
almost 400,000 tons of copper.
By 1953, this operation
was down 5,000 feet.
They were almost to sea level.
>> But eventually, the demand
fell, and the business that ke
this line running disappeared.
What they left behind was a
viable line that ran through a
wonderland of treasures even
greater than copper -- a rich
history and a wealth of natural
beauty.
>> The entire area is full of
so much Native American history.
We have Montezuma Castle.
We have Montezuma Well.
The Sinagua lived in this area
thousands of years before anyone
else.
It's amazing that we still have
those ancient ruins to look at
during the train ride.
>> That's why the open-air cars
are so popular.
It's easy to stretch your legs
and break out your camera
for some spectacular shots.
>> You can see all around,
you know?
You've got the full 360-degree
view.
The sun is just right, too,
you know?
The sun is really kind of coming
in off our shoulder here,
illuminating the hills just
right.
It's been great for photography.
>> Well, you're able to get more
of a up-close feel rather than,
like, riding in your car.
You have the openness.
You can smell everything, so
fresh and see everything just
really, really up close.
>> And you might even have a
chance to see another rare sight
up close, as well.
>> Everybody, "Hi, Sonora."
>> Hi, Sonora.
>> Sonora is a 9-year-old
female Bald Eagle
from right here in Arizona,
and she is classified
as a injured non-releasable.
>> Sonora and other injured
animals that might not survive
are given a second chance
by this local wildlife
rehabilitation group.
>> I've never been close
to a Bald Eagle before.
It was fascinating.
I just love it. It's just --
I would love to have one.
I want one as soon
as I get close to her.
>> No other railroad in the
world offers this kind of
experience.
>> You guys, both look up at the
eagle like you're talking to
her.
>> Oh, Kayleigh,
look at those eyes.
It's been an amazing experience.
My children love trains, and the
Bald Eagle is something we never
thought we would see up close
and, you know, in person,
so it's been amazing.
>> Sonora might not be the only
Bald Eagle you'll see on your
journey.
Between December and March,
a large concentration of eagles
can be observed in the area.
The fertile river basin
and the rock cliffs
provide the perfect location
for them to nest.
You'll also see many other kinds
of waterfowl,
including the Great Blue Heron.
The eagle is such a powerful
cultural symbol, it's even
featured prominently on an even
larger canvas here.
>> The eagles,
the fact that they fly freely,
that they give us new babies
every year in the canyon,
they contribute to
the national emblem of America,
so we thought this is the one
thing that should adorn our
engines, that we should be led
into the canyon by the
American Eagle.
>> It covers the sides of their
1953 General Motors FP7 engines,
a spectacular statement about
sharing the land with these
mighty creatures.
It's also a nod to history,
heritage, and pride.
>> In my opinion, probably the
best paint scheme of all
railroad locomotives across the
world.
We chose to put eagles on the
side of ourswhich represents
America, whi wouldn't be what
it is today, you know, without
railroads.
>> This is a trip that helps you
make connections with friends,
with wildlife, and culture,
carrying on traditions and
letting people explore America's
past.
>> The ability to do this,
and especially on a historic
line like this one, is real
important to maintain.
It's a piece of our history,
especially here in the
Southwest, and it's just
something that, once it's gone,
it'll never, ever come back,
so, you know, we've got to make
it a priority to maintain
historical opportunities like
this.
>> When you think of
a traditional bed-and-breakfast,
most people envision
a beautiful country home
or historic inn, not a train.
Well, the Great Wisconsin
Northern Railroad will change
your mind about that because
they've created the ultimate B&B
on the rails today.
To board this overnight
adventure, we need to head
to the railroad depot in
Trego, Wisconsin, just outside
the town of Spooner.
"All aboard!" would be an
unusual welcome in almost any
B&B across the country, but
along the tracks of this
railroad, it feels just right.
>> What makes the Wisconsin
Great Northern Railroad
different from other tourist
railroads is our wide variety of
services, our specialty
services.
We have the only
bed-and-breakfast train in the
country.
>> Dining, lounge, and sleeping
cars bring back fond memories
of America's railroading past.
Owners Greg and Mardell Vreeland
work hard to preserve
this experience for train lovers
of today and tomorrow.
>> We have acquired a variety
of cars over the past few years,
and we have worked to restore
them so that our guests get the
feel of what it's like to ride
on a streamline passenger train
in the 1950s.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> On board the beautifully
restored Pullman Fleet,
passengers journey miles up
the Great Northern Railroad and
decades back in time.
For some passengers,
the train ride evokes rich
personal memories.
>> My grandfather was an
engineer on this line.
He came here from Chicago
in the late 1800s to work on the
railroad, so definitely there's
a lot of history here.
>> I used to work on this line
back in the '60s,
and it's real nice
to be back on the trains again.
>> It was truly a simpler time,
but there's nothing simple
about recreating the old rail
experience.
Since the very beginning,
the Vreelanders have worked
as a team to keep
the Spooner Train on track.
>> Greg and I have worked
together from Day 1.
I have a number of friends
that said, "There's no way
I could work with my husband,"
and I'm the opposite.
I can't fathom not working with
him.
>> Their teamwork has yielded
truly amazing results.
Now, you'd be hard-pressed
to find a more scenic route
through the glory years
of luxury rail travel.
>> We're very fortunate
to have a track that goes
along the Namekagon River.
The government, about 40 years
ago, turned it into scenic
parkway, all protected for about
40 miles of the river.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, you
might wonder why we're stopping
here.
Well, we will be having dinner
here, and this is the most
scenic part of our trip.
>> Here we go, guys, a steak
and a shrimp...
>> Steak right here.
>> Steak for you.
Shrimp for you.
>> Thank you.
*
>> First-class dining isn't just
about preparing a delicious
meal.
It's also about atmosphere
and timing.
>> I think it could've been like
a movie set.
I mean, I don't know who dialed
in the sunset at just the right
time.
The food was delicious,
served prompt, warm.
I mean, it's quite an
accomplishment, I think, for
what they do for this number of
people to bring it out like
that.
>> The Spooner train has
something for just about
everyone.
Folks who can't stay the night
enjoy the food, drink, and
ambiance of the 3-hour dinner
train service, and for the kids,
the pizza train is a huge hit.
>> Our pizza train is one of
our most popular and one of our
favorites with the children.
They get really excited because
when they're about
3 or 4 years old, they love
trains, and everyone loves
pizza.
Sometimes they can hardly stand
still, they're so excited, and
it's fun.
It's a lot of fun.
>> Trains and pizza --
a combination that any youngster
can embrace.
The scenic route offers plenty
of time for family fun and time
to explore the beauty of
Northern Wisconsin.
>> As we were riding the train,
we talked about all the
different things that we're
seeing, the different kinds of
trees, the number of times that
the horn honked, and they got to
eat sausage and cheese pizza and
have soda, so they're having a
blast.
>> Yes, the pizza train is just
the ticket for many young
families, but if you're looking
to experience the unique thrill
of staying overnight on a fully
operational Pullman Coach,
Spooner's first-class cabin
is a plush, decadent option.
>> Diane Marie, our first-class
car, business car.
We've got three bedrooms.
Each bedroom has a shower
and a bathroom in it.
We've got a lounge, a formal
lounge in it, with couches and
chairs where you can relax.
It's got the platform on the end
just like the presidents
gave their speeches from,
and you can get out there
and talk all you want, you know.
Beautiful.
>> You may feel a bit
presidential looking out
from the first-class
rear platform,
but don't worry if you're not
much of a public speaker.
Today, this is simply a spot
to reflect, relax, and, if
you're lucky, watch the sunset
across the wooded horizon.
>> It was just gorgeous,
and we got to stay there
for a little bit to enjoy
the scenery and just see
the beautiful sunset.
It was just amazing.
For our 21st anniversary,
it was a really great idea,
a moment we won't forget.
>> The perfect end to a perfect
day, but for the Lessers and
their new friends, the trip
isn't over just yet.
>> Good morning,
Mr. and Mrs. Lesser.
>> Good morning.
>> Here is your breakfast.
>> Thank you.
>>njoy.
>> Looks delicious.
>> After all, the Spooner train
is a bed and breakfast.
They awake to one more delicious
meal, one more unforgettable
memory.
With 19 bedrooms, a luxury
lounge, and beautiful dining
cars, the Spooner train is the
perfect ticket for a relaxing
weekend getaway.
>> What we offer is absolutely
unique in this country, and I
think that that's the big draw.
It's something that, for a lot
of people, it's a bucket-list
kind of situation.
>> A trip on the Wisconsin
Great Northern Railroad leaves
you refreshed, relaxed, and with
a big smile on your face.
>> Cheers.
>> Cheers to the same new
friends.
>> Hey!
>> Cheers.
>> WELCOME TO THE STUDIOS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
WE ARE WATCHING A BRAND NEW
SHOW, "GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS," AND WE ARE SO HONORED
TO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST.
I'M LINDA BERMAN, A VOLUNTEER
WITH PBS WISCONSIN.
WITH ME IS ROB VAN CAMP, WHO IS
THE CREATOR, PRODUCER OF THE
AMAZING "GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS."
AND I MEAN AMAZING.
THIS IS THE 27TH YEAR?
>> 27 YEARS.
AND WE HAVE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS
FOR THAT BECAUSE EVERYONE THAT
CALLS IN WITH THEIR PLEDGES IS A
VOTE OF SUPPORT THAT THEY WANT
TO SEE MORE PROGRAMMING.
WE HAVE GREAT VENUES FOR YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY TO GO OUT.
A DINNER TRAIN WE'RE GOING TO
TALK ABOUT.
SO PLEASE WRITE THAT PHONE
NUMBER AND WEBSITE DOWN.
WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF
VOLUNTEERS IN THE STUDIO.
COME SELL CELEBRATE OUR GREAT RAILWAY
HERITAGE.
WHEN YOU DO WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT
WAYS FOR YOU TO SHOW YOUR
SUPPORT, INCLUDING THE TRAIN
TICKETS.
>> RESPECT THAT.
>> WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WE ARE GOING
TO BE INTERVIEWING FROM THE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM,
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM AND THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
>> THE BREAKS ARE GOING TO BE
ALMOST AS MUCH FUN AS THE SHOW
BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY SPECIAL
GIFTS WHEN YOU CALL IN YOUR
PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.
OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE WAITING TO
TALK TO YOU.
GREG IS GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT
THEM.
JUST REMEMBER THE NUMBER,
1-800-236-3636.
NOW, YOU WANT TO START AND TELL
US, ROB?
>> IF YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS
PROGRAM AND YOU WANT TO REVISIT
THOSE BALD EAGLES ON THE VERDE
CANYON, COME ONBOARD FOR $8
SUSTAIN BE MEMBERSHIP, WE'LL
GIVE YOU A MEMBER OF THIS
PROGRAM, "150 YEARS ON THE RIGHT
TRACK."
THERE IS A BLU RAY DISC AND A
STAND DVD DISC IN THERE, A LOT
OF BONUS FOOTAGE WHERE DAVID AND
I TALK ABOUT OVER A QUARTER OF A
CENTURY OF PRODUCING THE SERIES.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND EVERY SINGLE
RAILROAD MUSEUM, ASK FOR OUR
SIXTH EDITION GUIDEBOOK.
THIS IS OUR BRAND NEW ONE.
IT HAS EVERY SINGLE ONE IN NORTH
AMERICA, OVER 500, ALL THE MUSEUMS,
ALL THE TRAINS ARE IN THIS.
NEW FOR THIS YEAR, OUR COMPUTER
DIRECTORY NOW IS A DIRECT
DOWNLOAD TO YOUR TABLET, PC OR
MAC WHEN YOU MAKE THAT
INVESTMENT.
IT'S VERY SIMILAR.
IF YOU REMEMBER THIS, THIS TIME
INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE CD ROM
IN, YOU DOWNLOAD THIS DIRECTLY
TO YOUR COMPUTER, PICK A STATE.
THERE'S THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET OVER 500.
SAME ONES THAT ARE IN THE BOOK
ARE IN THIS DIRECTORY.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WE LINK YOU
DIRECTLY TO THEIR WEBSITE, SO
YOU GET THE LATEST INFORMATION
ON THEM.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TICKETS TO
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
THAT'S ONE OF MANY THAT YOU'LL
BE ABLE TO CLICK ON HERE.
HERE'S THE ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM.
ALL OF THE ONES IN THE SHOW
INCLUDING THE NATIONAL RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
WE ALSO INCLUDE POLAR EXPRESS
EVENTS NATIONWIDE ON THIS.
YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THOSE
THREE AT OUR PASSENGER LEVEL AT
$8 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $96.
THEN WE'VE GOT OUR BRAKEMAN'S
LEVEL, WHERE WE'LL INCLUDE ALL
THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS WE JUST
TALKED ABOUT, BUT FAMILY PASSES
TO THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN GREEN
BAY AND FOUR PASSES ON THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
LET'S SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT OF
THE FOOTAGE OF WHAT YOU GET TO
EXPERIENCE.
BOB'S GOING TO TALK IN-DEPTH,
BUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, IT'S
GREAT HISTORY IN HERE.
YOU ALSO GET TO TAKE THE TRAIN
TRIP AROUND THE PROPERTY.
IT'S ABOUT A THREE-MILE LOOP.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO LEARN ABOUT
OUR GREAT RAILWAY HISTORY AND
THEN ALSO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE
ROLLING STOCK.
BUT THEY EVEN HAVE THE
EISENHOWER.
IT'S A LOCOMOTIVE.
BOB IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT IN
A COUPLE MINUTES.
I LOVE WALKING THROUGH THE OLD
SLEEPING CARS TO SEE WHAT IT WAS
LIKE OVER 100 YEARS AGOO T
CRISSCROSS OUR NATION.
THIS IS A GREAT MUSEUM.
THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM,
THAT IS THE ONLY ZEPHYR LEFT IN
EXISTENCE THAT ACTUALLY RUNS.
AND YOU CAN RIDE ON THIS TRAIN.
IT'S BEEN IN MANY MOVIES.
THEY HAVE STEAM ENGINES,
TROLLEYS, THE LARGEST COLLECTION
IN NORTH AMERICA AND IT'S JUST
OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO TOWARDS THE
WISCONSIN BORDER NEAR UNION,
ILLINOIS.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY BARNES
AND HOW MANY EQUIPMENT, BUT WE
ARE GOING TO BE TALKING TO NICK,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LATER IN
THIS SHOW AND HE'S GOING TO TALK
ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS YOU'RE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW AT HIS
LOCATION.
YOU GO THERE IN SEPTEMBER, THEY
BRING EVERYTHING OUT AND HAVE
THIS BIG SPECIAL VOLUNTEER DAY
WHEN WE ACTUALLY FILMED THIS.
VERY FUN.
YOU'VE GOT THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RUN
THEIR BEAUTIFUL TRAIN.
THIS IS UP IN TREGO NEAR SPOONER
IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE
STATE.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL TRIP YOU'LL
BE ABLE TO ENJOY WITH THEM.
SOME OF THE FOOTAGE HERE IS PART
OF THEIR DINNER TRAIN THAT WE'RE
GOING TO TALK ABOUT TICKETS FOR
THAT IN A MINUTE.
SO AT OUR BRAKEMAN'S LEVEL,
FOLKS, WHEN YOU COME ONBOARD AS
$20 SUSTAINER, WE WILL GET YOU
PASSES TO RIDE ON ALL THREE OF
THOSE TRIPS.
THEY'RE FAMILY FOUR-PACKS FOR
THAT.
SO YOU GOT OVER A FULL YEAR TO
REDEEM THEM, BUT A SHORT PERIOD
OF TIME TO GIVE US A CALL DURING
THIS BROADCAST.
YOU GET ALL THE THANK YOU GIFTS
WE TALKED ABOUT AT OUR PASSENGER
LEVEL.
NOW, OUR NEXT LEVEL, WE'RE ALL
LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO WITH
THATTING SIGNIFICANT
THAT SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I
CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING BETTER
THAN A MEAL IN SPOONER,
WISCONSIN.
LET'S SHOW YOU THAT FOOTAGE ON
THE DINNER TRAIN.
I'M GOING TO HAVE GREG IN THE
STUDIO WITH ME BECAUSE HE'S THE
EXPERT AND HE'S GOING TO TALK A
LOT ABOUT IT.
BEAUTIFUL F UNITS.
THOSE WERE WHAT CRISSCROSSED OUR
NATION.
THE SCENERY IS UP THERE IN
GORGEOUS IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN.
IT'S LIKE STEPPING BACK INTO THE
'50s WHEN YOU GET ONTO THEIR
TRAINS.
PEOPLE ARE RELAXED.
THEY'RE HAPPY.
THE FOOD UP THERE IS AWESOME AND
YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY ENJOY IT.
SO IF YOU'VE GOT AN ANNIVERSARY,
BIRTHDAY, SPECIAL OCCASION,
FRIENDS COMING INTO TOWN, THE
MUSIC IS GREAT, THE ATMOSPHERE
IS BEAUTIFUL.
PEOPLE REMINISCE ABOUT THE PAST
WHEN YOU RIDE THEIR TRAIN.
FOUR TICKETS ON THEIR DINNER
TRAIN, BUMP IT UP TO OUR $30
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $360 AND WE ARE
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU
THAT ULTIMATE DINNER TRAIN
PACKAGE ON THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN ALONG WITH THE THANK
YOU GIFTS YOU SEE THERE.
BUT IF YOU CANNOT MAKE UP YOUR
MIND AND YOU WANT ALL OF THEM,
WE HAVE GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF.
YOU JUST BUMP IT UP A LITTLE
MORE TO A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $420
OR $35, YOU'RE GOING TO GET OUR
ULTIMATE PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGE
AND THOSE DOLLARS GO SO FAR HERE
WHEN YOU MAKE THAT DONATION AND
INVESTMENT IN PBS WISCONSIN.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU FOUR
DINNER TRAIN TICKETS AND FOUR
FAMILY PASSES ON THE TRAIN OUT
OF SPOONER THERE AND THE FOUR
TICKETS TO THE ILLINOIS RAIL
MUSEUM AND FOUR TICKETS TO THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM AND THE
DRINK TUMBLER AND OFFICIAL CREW
CAP AND TOTE BAG.
SO YOU GET ALL THESE THANK YOU
GIFTS WHICH ARE EXCLUSIVE TO OUR
MEMBERS.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A VERY
SPECIAL GUEST WITH LINDA WHO'S
GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM AND WHAT
YOU GET WHEN YOU GO TO
EXPERIENCE THOSE TICKETS.
>> HI.
WITH ME, SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU,
IS BOB, THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET
THE ADDRESS RIGHT.
THIS IS THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM, 2285 SOUTH BROADWAY IN
GREEN BAY.
>> CORRECT.
>> YOU'RE ON 30 PLUS ACRES ON
THE FOX RIVER?
>> YES, ABOUT 33 ACRES.
AS ROB SAID, ABOUT A THREE-MILE
LOOP OF TRACK THAT YOU CAN RIDE
ON AND ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL
TRAINS TO EXPLORE.
>> NOW, AS A PARENT, WHEN YOU
BRING YOUR FAMILY THERE, WHAT
ARE YOUR HOURS AND WHAT CAN YOU
SEE?
>> WELL, WE'RE OPEN YEAR-ROUND.
THERE'S ONLY A FEW DAYS OUT OF
THE YEAR THAT WE CLOSE.
GENERALLY 9:00 TO 5:00.
BIG THINGS FOLKS WANT TO
REMEMBER, OUR TRAIN RUNS
MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.
NOT QUITE THERE JUST YET.
>> OKAY.
>> BUT ALSO FOR PARENTS, OUR
MUSEUM IS ONE OF THE MOST
ACCESSIBLE AS FAR AS GETTING
INTO EQUIPMENT AND EXPLORING IT.
YOU CAN SIT IN THE CAB OF A
UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A
CHILDREN'S DISCOVER DEPOT THAT'S
ALL HANDS-ON.
EXPLORE THE BIG TRAINS.
LET THE LITTLE IMAGINATIONS RUN
AND HAVE ALL KINDS OF FUN.
>> SO THERE ARE FAMILY PASSES
AVAILABLE?
>> THERE ARE.
WE ALSO HAVE A GREAT MEMBERSHIP
PROGRAM THAT HAS SOME GOOD
BENEFITS.
TONIGHT WE'LL CONCENTRATE ON
PBS.
>> WELL, RIGHT.
>> TAKE A LOOK ALSO.
IT'S A GOOD THING TO INVEST IN
AS WELL.
>> THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
FOR ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED IN
THE TRAINS.
NOW, HOW LONG DOES THAT LOOP
TAKE?
YOU SAID IT'S A THREE-MILE LOOP?
>> TRAIN RIDE LASTS ABOUT A HALF
HOUR.
OUR CONDUCTORS ARE GOING TO TELL
YOU WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, LOCAL
HISTORY, WILDLIFE.
MOST OF THE TIME WE HAVE A GREAT
OPEN AIR CAR THAT YOU RIDE ON.
SO WE PIT PUT YOU RIGHT OUT THERE.
YOU ARE IN IT.
>> THE TRAINS DON'T RUN UNTIL
MAY.
>> MAY TO OCTOBER.
>> CORRECT.
>> SO THIS IS IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER.
>> YEP.
>> THAT MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO
GO AHEAD OF THE SEASON THAT.
THE MUSEUM ITSELF IS OPEN, BUT
THE TRAIN RIDES AREN'T.
>> THIS IS A NICE TIME OF YEAR
IF YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE
HISTORY AND EXPLORE THE TRAINS.
IT'S QUIETER.
>> THAT IS EXCELLENT.
NOW, THIS IS PART OF THE
PACKAGES THAT WE'RE OFFERING
THAT YOU CAN GET THIS WITH EVERY
PACKAGE, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A
FAMILY OF FOUR TO GO TO -- YOU
KNOW, THIS IS GREAT WITH THE
NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY.
SO JUST THINK ABOUT FOR A FAMILY
TO GO TO GREEN BAY.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
ESPECIALLY MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.
>> MAKES A NICE WEEKEND.
THERE'S SO MANY THINGS IN GREEN
BAY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> YES.
>> SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED,
PLEASE GIVE US A CALL,
1-800-236-3636.
AND NOW HERE'S ROBERT.
>> I TELL YOU, I AM SO PROUD TO
BE STANDING NEXT TO THIS MAN,
GREG.
HE'S A TRUE LEGEND IN OUR
INDUSTRY.
HE WORKED IN THIS AS A KID
GROWING UP, LEARNED THE INDUSTRY
AND HIM AND HIS WIFE STARTED
THEIR OWN RAILROAD.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE CELEBRATING
25 YEARS NEXT YEAR.
THEY'VE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS AND
PARTNERS OF PUBLIC TELEVISION.
GREG, YOU PUT TOGETHER A SPECIAL
PACKAGE AT OUR ENGINEER'S LEVEL
WHERE I GOT -- OUR CREW GOT TO
EAT HIS FOOD.
WE DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE HIS
TRAIN.
THE FOOD WAS GREAT.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT $300
PACKAGE.
THIS IS ALL NEW.
OBVIOUSLY, $300 IS QUITE A DEAL
TO GET FOUR TRAIN DINNER
TICKETS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET
YOU FOUR TICKETS ALONG WITH SOME
GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS TO GO DO
THE DINNER TRAIN PACKAGE THERE
ON THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
TELL OUR MEMBERS A LITTLE BIT
WHAT THEY GET TO EXPERIENCE.
TELL US ABOUT THE TRIP.
TELL US ABOUT THE FOOD AND THE
SERVICE.
BAZBECAUSE I GOT TO EXPERIENCE IT
AND IT'S GREAT.
A LOT OF THINGS ARE HAVE CHANGED
SINCE WE FILMED THAT PIECE.
>> OUR DINNER TRAIN OPERATES
FIVE DAYS A WEEK, 50 WEEKS OUT
OF THE YEAR.
WE TAKE OFF CHRISTMAS AND NEW
YEAR'S AND RUN THE TRAIN THE
NEXT OF THE IM TO.
THERE'S OUR BEAUTIFUL F UNIT
GOING ACROSS THE BRINL.
IT'S -- BRIDGE.
YOU BOARD AT 5:00 IN THE
AFTERNOON.
IT DEPARTS AT 5:30.
WE COOK A FOUR-COURSE DINNER ON
THE TRAIN, RIGHT TO YOUR TABLE.
WE HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT ENTREE
ITEMS EACH NIGHT AND YOU GET TO
CHOOSE FROM AND A FANTASTIC
DESSERT.
I'M ALWAYS TELLING THE GUESTS AS
THEY'RE GETTING ON THE TRAIN TO
SUPPORT TO PBS WISCONSIN.
STARTING AT OUR $8 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP, YOU CAN GET THAT
SHOW DVD BLU RAY SET OR THE
GUIDEBOOK OR THAT DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
BUT MOST OF YOU ARE WANTING ALL
THREE OF THOSE AND THOSE TRAIN
TICKETS AT THAT $20 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF
$240.
WE'LL GET YOU ON THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN, ILLINOIS RAIL
MUSEUM AND NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM
WITH ALL OF THOSE THANK YOU
GIFTS.
OR IF YOU WANT TO EAT DINNER ON
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN, WE
GOT THAT GRAND NEW PACKAGE
RIDING THEIR DINNER TRAIN.
BUT MOST OF YOU COMING BOARD ON
THAT TOP LEVEL OF THE $35
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR A
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $420.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU ALL
THOSE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS.
PICK WHICH ONE OF THOSE LEVELS
WORKS BEST FOR YOU AND WE'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO HEAD BACK TO
THE SHOW RIGHT NOW.
SO PICK THAT ONE THAT WORKS FOR
YOU.
>> Our first stop
starts right here at the
Lake Superior Railroad Museum in
Duluth, Minnesota.
It houses one of the finest
collections of historic railroad
equipment and artifacts
anywhere, and the great thing
about it is, a lot of the pieces
in the collection, like this
ALCO engine, are operational and
used in a variety of mainline
excursions that they offer.
The museum is located
in Downtown Duluth, Minnesota,
situated on the southwestern
corner of Lake Superior.
Your own railroading passion
will light up the minute
you walk into the museum.
Housed in the only union depot,
which is chock-full of railroad
memorabilia, equipment,
and artifacts that were
actually used in this area
of Minnesota and Wisconsin
around the turn of the century.
[ Locomotive bell dinging ]
And much of what you see
isn't just for show.
>> One of the things that we
learned early on by running
the North Shore Scenic Railroad
in conjunction with the
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
is that artifacts are better
maintained if they're used,
and what it allows us to do
is to show our guest visitors
a different look
at railroad history
every time they come and visit.
>> The museum has a
well-equipped and spacious shop.
Curator Tom Gannon and his crew
of paid staff and volunteers
work very hard to maintain
their extensive collection.
>> There's an awful lot going
in the shop all the time.
There's usually at least two
or three projects, sometimes
more, and it's very key to our
ability to stay ahead and to get
projects done so that we can add
more exhibits to the museu
and, at the same time, keep the
rolling stock working so that
our visitors that come during
the summer and ride our trains
are able to enjoy the ride.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> With 28 miles of track
and a wide variety of equipment,
the railroad is able to offer
several different excursions
for you to choose from.
They've even got a dinner train
but with a notable twist.
[ Glass clinking ]
>> Good evening, everyone,
and welcome.
The
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
and North Shore Scenic Railroad
welcomes you onboard our
elegant dinner train tonight.
>> The North Shore folks invite
local chefs from the area
of fine-dining establishments
to prepare and present their
dinners right there on the
train.
Each week, it's a different chef
and a new and exquisite menu,
and you'll savor your meal
in one of the most authentic
dining cars in the country,
The Lake of the Isles.
>> Hi.
>> The car was built in 1950
for the Great Northern Railways
Empire builder, and the proof is
right there in the original
glass-relief partitions, unique
and rare elements that hearken
back to those glorious days
of elegant dining on the rails.
It inspires some to dress the
part.
>> Well, this is supposed to be,
like, a '40s, '50s train
and a dinner experience,
and it's just fun to dress up
and try to create
the mood of the time.
We have great friends
that came with us.
Everybody dressed up, and it was
just fun to kind of try to
relive a little bit of that time
when it was a little more
romantic than maybe today.
Trains are just fun.
>> There's an equal amount
of fun going on in the back
of the train, as well,
and it's gred for the kids.
The railroad offers family pizza
nights when they operate
the dinner train.
This railway truly has something
for everyone.
The regular, day-long excursion
train is also a favorite,
especially when your trip is
being pulled by the
magnificently restored
Soo Main Line steam engine
on loan from the
Locomotion and Tower
Preservation Fund of
Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
With 78-inch drivers
and a full head of steam, 2719
can still sustain 90 miles an
hour, but your journey proceeds
at a safe, leisurely pace so
that you can delight in the
sights and sounds of Duluth's
bustling shipyards where the big
ships connect America to the
world's markets and then onto
the north through pristine
Lakeshore Woods.
It's a 56-mile round trip.
*
>> They'll cross seven different
rivers and streams with bridges
that are over 200 feet
above the chasm below.
They are gorges with
fast-running, North Shore
streams and rivers that cascade
over rocks all the way down to
freshen themselves into
Lake Superior's waters.
>> You'll stop for a few hours
at the charming town
of Two Harbors, Minnesota,
and left free to explore before
heading back to Duluth, but some
riders prefer to stick around
and watch 2719 being prepared
for the return to Duluth.
Getting this close to a living,
breathing iron horse sparks
the imagination and fires
the passion of railroad
enthusiasts of all ages.
>> I want to be able to remember
this day for the rest of my life
because this was my first ride
on a steam locomotive.
It was just incredible
to watch that hulking monster
blowing smoke
all over the place, especially
with the cylinder cogs open.
That was my favorite part.
And then the locomotive was
blowing its whistle and dinging
the bell, and...
You got to love trains.
I mean, who wouldn't love that?
It just fills you with
excitement, doesn't it?
>> Maybe Samuel's excitement
and passion will lead him
to one day join the ranks
of North Shores' many volunteers
and help preserve and present
this area's rich railroad
history.
>> I've been here since I was
8 years old, so it's kind of
been like a daycare.
I've been giving these guys a
lot of gray hairs down here and
learning a lot along the way.
>> Give her one more.
>> Kale is very good student.
He's very interested.
He wants to learn,
and he's doing a very good job.
>> Together, old-timernd
apprentice work to preserve a
priceless past.
>> Later steam engines, or the
last steam engines, had roller
bearings on most of this, and
they didn't have to grease them
like this.
>> In Frank's mind, people like
Kale and the other volunteers
play a vital role in preserving
America's railroading legacy.
>> They are the future because
my age, there isn't going to be
many of us left around that
actually work steam gines.
>> Thankfully, there's a new
generation of passionate
railroaders following in Frank's
footsteps.
>> It's working with history.
Where else in the world could a
20-year-old kid like myself have
an opportunity to work with a
piece of equipment from 1923
with folks that did it for over
50 years?
I mean, the knowledge that I am
getting, most people in
their lives would dream about,
and I feel extremely privileged.
>> And you'll feel privileged,
too, when you spend time at the
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
and at the North Shore
Scenic Railroad where you an
your family can immerse
yourselves in another time and
place and experience firsthand
this region's rich
transportation heritage.
>> Pennsylvania is rich
in railroad history,
and our next stop takes us
to the heart of the
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
and the home of the
Strasburg Rail Road.
Its roots date back to 1832,
and today it's the oldest
operating sht-line railroad
in North America.
>> To climb onboard this line,
we head to Lancaster County
in the southeast corner
of Pennsylvania,
to the town of Strasburg.
A dark spiral of smoke gently
cuts through a lush cornfield
and landscape, unchanged
in more than a century.
For generations,
Pennsylvania Dutch families have
taken this site for granted,
one many now travel far to see
and experience --
the Strasburg Rail Road.
For about 50 years now,
Strasburg has been a scenic
railroad carving through land
lived on and farmed by Amish
and others of similar faith.
>> I kind of grew up close to a
farm, and I enjoy seeing the
silos and the animals and the
workhorses.
My father had workhorses, and he
plowed with them years ago,
and it kind of brings back
some old memories, you know,
of when I was a kid.
>> Unlike some railroads running
on a rail, a prayer, and
volunteers, Strasburg has
75 full- and part-time
employees, four locomotives,
and 18 passenger cars.
>> I think the coach is one
of our centerpieces,
as much or more than the steam
locomotives because it's what
everybody experiences.
That's what they're going to
ride in, and we are able to
restore these coaches or
replicate these cars in such a
way that you really are
in 1915 or 1910.
The cars are absolutely
gorgeous.
>> It's good to go back
100 years.
I enjoy just looking at the
woodwork and the way they used
to do things years ago.
You know, now they throw up
a couple pieces of plywood
and call it something,
but, I mean, this is fantastic.
>> A few businesspeople with the
fortitude that even the Amish
would respect rescued the train
from oblivion in the 1950s.
Once restored, the
Strasburg Rail Road almost
immediately struck a chord with
the public.
Throughout the '60s,
its extraordinary popularity
led to a 100-to-1 stock split in
1970 and a front-page article
in The Wall Street Journal.
And, yet, at first, people
thought they were crazy to
resurrect an old steam engine.
>> Why do we run steam?
Steam engines are the most
cantankerous, ornery, obstinate
beasts that ever came down the
pipe, and there are times when a
diesel seems like a really good
idea.
But, at the end of the day, a
diesel locomotive does not have
a soul like a steam locomotive.
>> You just check your valve
gear, give it a real good
general inspection.
Take a look inside, as well.
Eric is a student fireman at
this time, and he's doing very
well.
It's very important that we pass
all the really important pearls
on to keep everybody safe
and to keep this
historic railroad
and historic type of railroading
going into the future.
>> It started out with the toy
trains around the Christmas
tree, pretty much at
5 years old, which is what
happens with every little kid,
and I was your typical kid in
kindergarten who wanted to be a
railroad engineer.
But it really wasn't until
about 2001 when I took a cab
ride with a buddy and got to
spend a whole day out on the
engine with him.
And, right there, that's when I
knew what I wanted to be when I
grew up.
I was hooked.
>> Skilled craftsmen in the
Strasburg Rail Road's vast
locomotive shops not only keep
their steam engines rolling but
do so for many others around the
country.
>> The shop is unique because
it has been tailored to
specifically repair steam
locomotives and old rolling
stock.
We are known throughout the
industry as being able to
rebuild pretty much any piece of
railroad equipment, steam
locomotives, and passenger cars
and freight cars from the ground
up.
>> This is an example of an
engine from the 1840s that was
sent up by the B&O Museum.
>> If you're interested
in seeing the work
that goes on here firsthand,
you can take one of the daily
tours that the railroad offers.
Your visit to Strasburg
wouldn't be complete
without a stop at the
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
It's conveniently located across
the street from the railroad.
>> The mission of the
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
is to collect, preserve
and interpret Pennsylvania's
railroading history.
We have one of the world's
largest indoor displays of
trains.
We have 112 pieces on display
that range from 1825
up to the 1970s.
>> How do you put a value
on all this railroad history,
from the museum to the train
ride that passes 20 historic
farms?
[ Train bell dinging ]
[ Train whistle blows ]
In your grandparents' and
great-grandparents' time,
had they been in these seats,
America would have looked much
like it does today.
With those onboard
the Strasburg Rail Road,
this America still exists.
*
>> Our next location presents a
true taste of railroading's
streamliner era by giving you a
chance to experience the luxury
and services of that golden age.
The Branson Scenic Railway's
signature stainless-steel train
gives its passengers
a one-of-a-kind trip
full of history and family fun
while mixing in all the
beautiful views along its route.
>> To experience this rail
adventure, we head to Branson,
Missouri, in the heart
of the Ozark Mountains.
In the city of Branson, where
the stars hang out and the
paddleboats crowd the river,
there's another show that comes
through town and captures
imaginations.
>> Good morning, ladies and
gentlemen, how we doing today?
>> Fine.
>> Good.
>> Welcome to
Branson Scenic Railway.
My name is Don.
I'm the conductor around here.
How about a big, "Hi, Don"?
>> Hi, Don.
>> In a world of hype, the
Branson Scenic Railway is the
definition of truth in
advertising.
>> This railroad was completed
in 1905, and it stretches about
500 miles, actually, from
Newport, Arkansas, clear up past
Kansas City.
>> These are miles you can't
experience in a plane or a car.
Fothis, you have to be
onboard the railroad's
stainless-steel time capsule.
>> Tickets, plse? Thank you.
Where are you folks from?
>> Wisconsin.
>> Wisconsin!
>> And throughout your journey,
you'll hear over and over
the same thing.
>> The scenery is beautiful,
and it's relaxing.
>> It's the scenery,
the atmosphere, the joy of
the old, Old West, maybe.
[ Laughs ]
>> You can really see the
scenery.
You're not at 30,000 feet
and all you can see
is the top of the clds.
You can actually take the time
to see what you're going past.
>> Most of that scenery is made
by nature.
[ Train whistle blows ]
Other spectacular sites
are made by man.
*
A journey on this line
transports you over some of
the longest and highest trestles
in the country, but they're not
the only engineering marvel
you will experience.
>> The scenery is just
beautiful, but I think one of
the things that impressed me is
that they could a railroad
through -- you know, through all
this countryside, especially
when you get to those tunnels.
They had to go through the rock
and everything.
The work that was involved
in making this way back
even before, you know,
the turn of the century
when, you know, two people
coming in from opposite sides
of the mountains, and they
actually met in the middle.
That's...
I found that very interesting.
>> It was tedious work to burrow
out of these tunnels.
Men could only average
3 to 4 feet a day through the
thick mountain rock.
When completed, the total cost
for the 239 miles came in
at a price tag of $12 million,
about six times more than
the average rail construction
cost for that time period.
>> Think back in the history
involved in putting one of
these things together, shovels
and pickaxes is how they made
their way through the mountains.
So, to me, that's very historic,
and it needs to be preserved.
>> Many wrote about the lure
and nostalgia train travel
presented back in the day,
like Dana Frank, who observed
that trains tap into some deep
American collective memory.
>> It's a nostalgia thing,
definitely.
We grew up in an era when trains
were really important.
Passenger freight and all --
I mean, it's definitely
a nostalgia thing.
>> It's just not at a fast pace.
You can see things
that you ordinarily don't see,
and I think that's what I like
about it.
It just kind of bring back,
you know, a lost place in time.
>> Brings back history.
>> Yeah, it does.
>> Last trip I made was in 1961,
the first and only trip.
I went from Illinois to Texas,
and it just brings back good
memories.
>> In a vast country constantly
pushing its boundaries,
this was quite literally
the engine that drove expansion.
The Branson Scenic Railway
has turned itself into
a rolling museum,
each car unique, all coming
from various heritages,
including one built as long ago
as 1939.
The shiny stainless-steel,
beautiful Art Deco interiors
are all rolling works of art.
The ones that seem to draw the
most "Oohs" and "Ahhs" are the
dome cars which provide a
spectacular 360-degree view
of everything you pass by.
>> You can just relax,
enjoy the ride,
sway back and forth,
enjoy the food, the company,
the people that are around you.
>> We enjoy this. [ Laughs ]
We enjoy being able to see
every direction up here.
>> After more than a century of
dominating cross-country travel,
dome cars were the railroad's
last siren call to keep
Americans on the grod rather
than in the air, a quiet and
peaceful journey that transports
you through America instead of
above it.
They were the staple of the
golden age of railroad, and with
only a handful of them still
operating today, it's an
experience you will truly
treasure.
>> Does that look good to you?
>> The Branson Scenic Railroad
also offers its passengers
a true taste of the past
with a little added excitement.
>> Where else can you have
a great meal going backwards
at 50 miles an hour?
No other form of transportation
I know would let you do that.
>> I think this is really
a kind of a blast from the past.
It's nice to see that they're
keeping this tradition going,
and they're doing it very well.
>> Everybody should have a job
like this once in their life.
It's fun.
It's nice talking to all the
people.
It's just a great thing to do.
You meet people from all over
the world, really.
>> It's work that the
Branson Scenic Railway staff
love to do.
For them, it's a chance to
present a part of America's deep
transportation history on an
educational platform like no
other, one that leaves all the
guests with a great sense of
appreciation for their efforts.
For the passengers,
it's not just a trip.
It's a timeless experience,
one full of the golden age
of railroading that is still
as enchanting as it ever was.
*
>> WELCOME TO THE STUDIOS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
WE ARE HERE FOR A VERY SHORT
BREAK ON OUR "GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS."
I'M LINDA BERMAN.
WITH ME IS ROB VAN CAMP, CREATE
TORQUES EDITOR,
CREATOR, EDITOR.
THIS JOURNEY, AMAZING.
TELL ME ABOUT IT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE COMING UP
TO STEAM TOWN NATIONAL HISTORIC
SITE.
THAT BRANSON SCENIC RAILROAD,
THEY ACQUIRED A LOT OF THOSE
CARS AND THIS WAS GOLDEN AGE
WITH THE DOME CARS.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THAT.
BEFORE THAT STRASBURG, THE
OLDEST CONTINUING OPERATING
SHORT LINE RAILROAD IN AMERICA.
WE HAVE THREE OF MAY FAVORITES
AS WELL RIGHT HERE LOCALLY.
SO IF YOU WANT TO RIDE SOME
TRAINS, WE EVEN HAVE A DINNER
TRAIN FOR YOU THIS YEAR.
SO WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL
THESE LEVELS FOR YOU TO COME
ONBOARD.
RENEW THAT MEMBERSHIP AT PBS
WISCONSIN.
REMEMBER, FOLKS, THIS IS YOUR
TELEVISION NETWORK.
IT WAS CREATED FOR THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE.
WE OWN IT.
WE MAKE THE DECISIONS HERE.
COMMERCIAL-FREE.
AND THERE'S SOMETHING FOR
EVERYONE ON THIS GREAT NETWORK.
STARTING AT OUR BASIC LEVEL OF
$96 OR $8 A MONTH, WE WILL GET
YOU A COPY OF THIS LATEST
INSTALLMENT OF THE "GREAT SCENIC
RAILWAY JOURNEYS" ON PBS
WISCONSIN.
WILL GET A BLU RAY AND STANDARD
DISC OF THE SAME PROGRAM.
YOU'RE GETTING TWO COPIES.
SO IF YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND THAT
HAS A DVD PLAYER, YOU MIGHT WANT
TO SHARE IT WITH THEM.
WE'VE GOT OUR SIXTH EDITION
GUIDEBOOK, A GREAT WAY TO FIND
ALL THE MIEW MUSEUMS THROUGHOUT NORTH
AMERICA.
WE DO NOT SELL IT IN STORES.
NONE OF THESE THANK YOU GIFTS
YOU'LL FIND ANYWHERE BUT PBS.
YOU'LL FIND ALL OF THEM.
AGAIN, THIS IS OUR SIXTH
EDITION, FARES, SCHEDULES, ROUTE
MAPS, PHONE NUMBERS, WEBSITES.
YOUHERE YOU'RE TRAVELING
WILL BE ABLE TO FIND A VENUE IN
THIS BOOK.
WE'VE MADE IT AS A DOWNLOADABLE
FOR YOU.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS PACKAGE
AND IT'S NOT A CD ROM ANYMORE.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE
INSTRUCTIONS TO DOWNLOAD IT
DIRECTLY TO YOUR COMPUTER,
TABLET, PHONE.
YOU CAN SEE ALL THE HERITAGE
RAILWAYS.
THERE'S THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
THE PAGES ARE PRETTY SIMILAR.
MOST HAVE VIDEOS OR PICTURES,
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT THEY
HAVE, ROUTE MAPS, TOWNS THEY GO
THROUGH.
WE LINK YOU DIRECTLY TO THEIR
WEBSITE.
THERE ARE OVER 500 DIRECT LINKS
ON HERE AS WELL.
THE ILLINOIS RAY MUSEUM IS
ANOTHER WE HAVE.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE THEIR SEGMENT
LATER IN THE BROADCAST.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO
FIND ALL OF THEM.
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS AND POLAR
EXPRESS.
I BELIEVE THE ILLINOIS RAYWAY
MUSEUM STILL DOES THAT.
SO THOSE ARE THE THREE
SUGGESTIONS IF THE $8 WORKS FOR
YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL THREE OF
THOSE AND GET THREE TRAIN TRIPS,
COME ON UP TO OUR PASSENGER
LEVEL.
AT JUST $20 SUSTAINING, WE'RE
GOING TO GIVE YOU THE THREE
THANK YOU GIFTS WE SHOWED YOU
EARLIER AT THE $96.
SO YOU'RE ALREADY AHEAD OF THE
GAME RIGHT THERE WHEN YOU BUNDLE
THIS PANEL.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET FOUR PASSES
TO THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
AND FOUR PASSES TO GO UP TO THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
AND RIDE THEIR FAMILY DAYTIME
TRIP.
LET'S SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT OF
THE FOOTAGE HERE.
WE GOT ALL THE EXPERTS HERE.
BOB IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM.
WE'VE ALSO GOT NICK AND GREG.
BUT THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM IS
TRULY A NATIONAL TREASURE.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ALL THE
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS.
YOU GET TO GET ON A TRAIN AND
RIDE AROUND THE PROPERTY ALONG
THE RIVER.
THESE STATIC DISPLAYS HAVE SO
MANY AMERICAN HISTORY AND
BUILDING, THE EISENHOWER IN
THERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY ENJOY IT.
YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THESE
HISTORIC SLEEPING CARS AND SEE
WHAT IT WAS LIKE 100 YEARS AGO.
TRIP NUMBER TWO IN THIS PACKAGE,
YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RIDE
THE ONLY ZEPHYR IN EXISTENCE IN
NORTH AMERICA.
THEY HAVE THE LARGEST COLLECTION
OF RAILROAD EQUIPMENT ANYWHERE
IN ONE PLACE IN NORTH AMERICA.
YOU GET TO RIDE ON IT.
THEY HAVE STEAM ENGINES.
THEY GOT THE STREAMLINERS.
THEY'VE GOT TROLLEYS.
THEY'VE GOT BARNS FULL OF STUFF.
YOU CAN SPEND MULTIPLE DAYS AND
NEVER SEE THE SAME THING TWICE.
IT'S A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE
AND WITH A VERY SPECIAL GROUP OF
VOLUNTEERS.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT COVERING
A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION IS THE
PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IT ARE
THERE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN
THE MISSION TO PRESERVE OUR
RAILWAY HERITAGE.
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN,
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU UP THERE
AND RIDE THEIR DAY TIME TRIP.
BRING YOUR FAMILY UP THERE AND
ENJOY ALL THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
OF THE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS UP THERE.
SO IF YOU COME ONBOARD AT THAT
PASSENGER LEVEL OF $20, WE WILL
GO AHEAD AND GET YOU THAT.
NOW, IF YOU WANT THE MOST
ELEGANT DINNER TRAIN THAT YOU
CAN GET ANYWHERE IN THE REGION,
OUR NEXT LEVEL IS FOR YOU.
AND I'M GOING TO TOSS IT OVER TO
GREG AND LINDA RIGHT NOW TO TALK
ABOUT THAT LEVEL.
>> I AM WITH GREG, WHO IS OUR
CHIEF CONDUCTOR,
JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES, RIGHT?
>> OH, YEAH.
>> OF THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN RAILWAY.
WHERE IS THIS?
>> WE ARE LOCATED IN TREGO,
WISCONSIN, ABOUT FOUR MILES
NORTH OF SPOONER, AN HOUR NORTH
OF EAU CLAIRE OR AN HOUR SOUTH
OF SUPERIOR.
NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN.
>> NOW, ROB HAS BEEN HINTING
ABOUT THIS DINNER TRAIN.
WHAT DO YOU GET ON THIS DINNER
TRAIN?
>> IT'S A 2.5 HOUR RIDE.
DEPARTS TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
EVENING AT 5:30.
WE HAVE A FOUR-COURSE DINNER
THAT IS PREPARED RIGHT IN THE
DINING CAR, IN THE KITCHEN,
ONBOARD THE TRAIN AND SERVED TO
YOU RIGHT AT YOUR TABLE.
ONE THING THAT'S VERY SPECIAL
ABOUT OUR RAILROAD IS THAT IF
YOU COME AS A COUPLE, YOU
AUTOMATICALLY GET A TABLE FOR
TWO.
IT'S NOT A COMMUNITY TABLE.
YOU GET THAT PRIVATE TABLE FOR
TWO.
AND AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE
NORTHWOODS, WE KIND OF SEE
EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS TO SEE
IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN, FARM
FIELDS, NORTHWOODS, ALONG THE
BEAUTIFUL KNOCK COULD NAM COULD COULD NA
>> I HEARD THE CHEESECAKE IS NOT
TO BE MISSED.
TELL ME AGAIN, IS THIS
YEAR-ROUND OR ONLY MAY THROUGH
OCTOBER?
>> YEAR-ROUND.
WE OPERATE 50 WEEKS OUT OF THE
YEAR.
WE TAKE OFF CHRISTMAS WEEK AND
NEW YEAR'S WEEK SO OUR STAFF CAN
TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A VACATION.
WE'RE RIGHT BACK AT IT IN
JANUARY.
IF YOU'VE GOT THAT ANNIVERSARY
IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY, GIVE US
A CALL.
>> ALONG WITH THAT YOU GET THE
HAT AND THE T-SHIRT.
IS IT FOR TWO OF THEM?
>> A HAT OR A T-SHIRT FOR YOUR
PACKAGE.
>> SO THIS IS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO SEE NORTHERN
WISCONSIN AT ITS BEST ON A
DINNER TRAIN.
AND TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OTHER
PACKAGES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
OFFER, HERE'S ROB.
>> THE NEXT PACKAGE IF YOU WANT
TO GET THAT DINNER TRAIN, WE'RE
GOING TO TALK WITH NICK, OUR
$420 INVESTMENT WE'RE GOING TO
GIVE YOU PASSES TO THE DINNER
TRAIN, THE ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM
AND THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
ALTHOSE THANKALL THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS W
TALKED AT THE $96 LEVEL.
YOU GET THE CAB, TUMBLER AND NEW
TOTE BAG.
WE ALL ARE LOOKING FOR TOTE
BAGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GO
SHOPPING.
GO GREEN.
DON'T DO ANY MORE PLASTIC BAGS
ANYMORE.
I'M HERE WITH A GOOD FRIEND.
I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN NICK SAID,
ROB, YOU COMING OUT?
WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS IN THE
SERIES.
AND I GOT TO TELL ONE OF THE
GREATEST STORIES OF THE PASSION
THAT YOUR PEOPLE HAVE.
1953, TEN GUYS STARTED THIS
PLACE OUT OF CHICAGO.
>> RIGHT.
>> THEY WANTED TO SAVE ONE
STREETCAR.
I COULD DO AN AN HOUR-LONG
DOCUMENTARY ON THE FOOTAGE WE
GOT.
WE'RE GOING TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT
OF FOOTAGE HERE.
YOU HAVE A NATIONAL TREASURE,
PROBABLY THE BEST IN OUR
COUNTRY, BECAUSE YOU CAN SPEND
DAYS THERE WITH YOU A THE
EQUIPMENT YOU HAVE.
>> YES.
>> TELL US MORE WHAT PEOPLE CAN
EXPERIENCE.
>> WELL, YOU'RE A LITTLE TOO
KIND, BUT WE MAKE UP IN QUANTITY
WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS DO IN
QUALITY.
SO ILLINOIS, WE'RE FLATLANDERS
DOWN THERE, YOU KNOW.
BUT THE MUSEUM ITSELF HAS OVER
500 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT.
WE JUST BROKE THE 500 MARK.
SOME PEOPLE SAY, BOYS, YOU GUYS
ARE REALLY CRAZY.
>> I LOVE THE ZEPHYR.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S THE ONLY ONE IN
EXISTENCE.
>> 1936 IT WAS BUILT.
>> THE FAMOUS MOVIE WITH MADONNA
WAS FILMED ON THE TRAIN.
>> IT WAS." LEAGUE OF THEIR
OWN."
WE'VE DONE NINE OR TEN MOVIES ON
SET.
I COULD GO ON ABOUT THE NAMES.
BUT THE ZEPHYR IS ONE THEY
ALWAYS LOOK AT BECAUSE IT'S
EARLY STREAMLINER.
AND YET IT'S VERY
MODERN-LOOKING.
>> IT IS.
>> VERY SLEEK.
AND FOR ITS DAY, IT WAS THE
TRAIN TO RIDE.
>> IT WAS.
AND OBVIOUSLY YOU SAW STEAM
ENGINES THERE, TROLLEYS.
AGAIN, YOUR EXHIBITS.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO DO
THERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ALL THAT
GREAT INFORMATION WHEN YOU PICK
UP THE PHONE RIGHT NOW, GIVE US
A CALL AND WE'RE GOING TO WALK
YOU THROUGH ALL THOSE LEVELS
AGAIN.
YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO
REDEEM THESE VOUCHERS, BUT A
SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DURING THIS
BROADCAST THAT WE'LL GUARANTEE
WE'LL GET THEM TO YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO GET THE SHOW DVD
BLU RAY SET, THE GUIDEBOOK ALONG
WITH ANOTHER 500, THE COMPUTER
DIRECTORY WHERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
AND SPEND HOURS DOWNLOADING IT.
IF YOU BUMP IT UP, WE'LL PUT YOU
ON ALL THREE OF THOSE TRAINS
WITH YOUR FAMILY PASSES.
THEN IF YOU BUMP IT UP A LITTLE
BIT MORE TO $30 A MONTH, WE'RE
GOING TO FEED YOU AN
UNBELIEVABLE FOUR-COURSE MEAL
WITH GREG AND HIS FAMILY AND ALL
THE GREAT CREW UP THERE.
AT OUR PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGE,
THIS IS OUR MOST POPULAR, YOU
CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND, WE'RE
GOING TO GIVE THEM TO YOU ALL,
WITH THE DINNER TRAIN IN THERE
WITH ALL THOSE GREAT THANK YOU
GIFTS.
WE'VE GOT ANOTHER SPECIAL GIFT,
ANOTHER GREAT MUSEUM IN OUR
VIEWING AREA UP THERE IN GREEN
BAY AND LINDA IS GOING TO TALK A
LITTLE MORE WITH BOB ABOUT THE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
BOB IS THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF
THE NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM UP
IN GREEN BAY.
WE'RE COVERING ALL PARTS OF THE
STATE.
>> TRAINS ALL AROUND US.
>> TRAINS EVERYWHERE.
WHEN DO YOUR TRAINS RUN?
BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING PEOPLE
WANT TO KNOW.
>> MAY THROUGH OCTOBER, DAILY
DURING THAT TIME.
>> SO THAT'S GOOD.
>> YES.
>> ANOTHER QUESTION, ROB WAS
ASKING, SO HAVE YOU DONE MOVIES
THERE?
WHAT FAMOUS PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED
YOUR MUSEUM?
>> RECENTLY WE'VE HAD HAD A
COUPLE SITTING VICE PRESIDENTS
VISIT US.
GO FURTHER BACK, IN THE FOOTAGE
YOU'RE SEEING YOU SEE PART OF
GENERAL ICE EISENHOWER'S WORLD
WAR II TRAIN.
WHEN THAT TRAIN ARRIVED,
EISENHOWER ACTUALLY VISITED THE
MUSEUM TO BE PART OF THE WELCOME
TO MY TRAIN FESTIVITIES.
IT WAS QUITE A DAY FOR US BACK
AT THAT POINT.
>> SURE.
IT WAS LIKE HAVING AIR FORCE
ONE.
TRAIN ONE.
>> YEAH.
AND FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, IN FACT,
THERE IS THE IMAGE OF THE
LOCOMOTIVE NAME FOR EISENHOWER,
BUT THE PORTION OF THE TRAIN WE
HAVE WAS ACTUALLY WHAT
EISENHOWER USED AROUND ENGLAND
PRIOR TO THE D-DAY INVASION.
IN THAT SHORT SPAN, ABOUT SIX
WEEKS BEFORE THE INVASION, HE
LOGGED LIKE 90,000 MILES JUST
AROUND ENGLAND PREPARING FOR
D-DAY.
IT'S AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF
HISTORY THAT YOU CAN WALK
THROUGH.
>> WELL, THE RAILROAD MUSEUM IS
MORE THAN JUST TRAINS.
IT'S HISTORY.
IT'S A WHOLE EXPERIENCE FOR
FAMILIES TO JUST ENROY.
>> THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THE
TRAINS AND RAILWAYS ARE INVOLVED
IN, ART, MUSIC, FOOD, MATH AND
SCIENCE EVEN.
>> SO THIS IS SO EXCITING FOR
YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO CALL AND BE PART
OF THIS, YOU CAN GET YOUR OWN
PACKAGE AT 1-800-236-3636.
TELL YOU SOME MORE ABOUT THE
PACKAGES AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING
TO BE SEEING, HERE'S ROB.
>> FOLKS, WE HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED
THIS PROGRAM, MADE POSSIBLE BY
CURRENT MEMBERS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
YOU'RE THE BACKBONE.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO
HAVE GONE HAVE BEEN CALLING IN
AND RENEWING.
YOU'VE BEEN INSPIRED.
YOU WANT TO GO OUT AND
EXPERIENCE IT.
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BEING IN
FRONT OF A LIVE STEAM ENGINE.
SO MANY OF THE RAILROAD
ENGINEERS I'VE INTERVIEWED HAVE
SAID THAT.
COME ONBOARD, BECOME A PART OF
THE GREAT PROCESS THAT MAKES PBS
WISCONSIN POSSIBLE.
AND IT'S YOU, OUR MEMBERS.
STARTING AT $8, WE'RE GOING TO
GO AHEAD AND GET YOU THREE
LEVELS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM.
YOU CAN GET THE SHOW DVD
GUIDEBOOK SET OR YOU CAN PICK
THAT GUIDEBOOK, THE NEW EDITION
WHICH WE'VE JUST PUT TOGETHER
FOR YOU.
OR YOU CAN ASK FOR THAT
DOWNLOADABLE COMPUTER DIRECTORY
IF THAT WORKS PERFECTLY FOR YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL THREE AND
GET THREE GREAT TRAIN VENUES,
COME UP TO OUR PASSENGER LEVEL,
$20 SUSTAINING, WE'LL GET YOU
FAMILY TICKETS TO THE NATIONAL
RAIL MUSEUM AND ILLINOIS RAIL ME
MUSEUM AND FOUR PASSES TO THE
GREAT NORTHERN TO THE BEAUTIFUL
WOODS AND LAKES AND RIVERS.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
IF YOU WANT THE ULTIMATE DINNER
EXPERIENCE ON THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN, BUMP IT UP TO
$30, WE WILL GET YOU FOUR
TICKETS FOR A FOUR-COURSE
GOURMET MEAL.
YOU'LL GET THE THANK YOU GIFTS
YOU SEE THERE ON THE RIGHT.
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND,
YOU WANT TO GET THEM ALL, WE'RE
GOING TO THROW THEM ALL IN HERE
IN ONE PACKAGE.
WHAT A GREAT INVESTMENT.
A LITTLE MORE THAN A DOLLAR A
DAY.
YOU'LL GET SIX THANK YOU GIFTS
AND TICKETS TO ALL THOSE VENUES
THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
SO YOU MAKE ALL THE PROGRAMMING
POSSIBLE HERE AT WISCONSIN PBS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO
ARE CALLING IN.
WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAD ON TO THE
NEXT SEGMENT IN JUST A LITTLE
BIT, WHERE I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU
TO STEAM TOWN AND SHOW YOU TO
WHERE HOLLYWOOD GOES TO FILM
TRAINS IN CALIFORNIA.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO
THE ONLY STEAM SAWMILL AND A
STEAM DONKEY WHEN WE GO TO
VICTORY ISLAND IN CANADA, B.C.
SO STAY WITH US, FOLKS.
PLEASE, WRITE THAT DOWN NUMBER
DOWN, 1-800-236-3636, OR GO TO
pbswisconsin.org AND MAKE THAT
PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.
THINK ABOUT THE VALUE REALLY
QUICKLY THAT PBS WISCONSIN
BRINGS YOU, WHAT I CALL THE 365
DEGREES OF PROGRAMMING.
THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
ON THIS NETWORK.
THERE'S A CERTAIN SHOW ON
SATURDAYS THAT I LEARN SOMETHING
NEW AT MY NETWORK WHERE I LIVE
AND I SUPPORT IS "THIS OLD
HOUSE.
CHOSE "I LEARN HOW I DID IT
WRONG.
I LOVE "AMERICAN EXPERIENCE,"
THE PBS "NEWSHOUR."
NO MATTER WHAT YOU CONTRIBUTE
AT, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE VOTING
FOR.
THINK OF THE VALUE IT ADDS TO
YOU DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY.
I GREW UP WITH THIS NETWORK.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S HERE
FOR ANOTHER 60 PLUS YEARS AND
YOU DO,. TOO
SO PLEASE MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF
SUPPORT.
LET'S HEAD BACK TO THE PROGRAM.
WE'RE GOING TO START OUT WITH
STEAM TOWN
[ Harmonica plays ]
*
>> Have you ever wondered how a
steam engine works?
Well, our first stop gives the
visitor a unique look at every
aspect of steam railroading,
from its conception to its
development to the ongoing
efforts to keep it alive today.
There's only one place in
Pennsylvania where you can be
educated on the nearly 200 years
of railroading history.
That place is called Steamtown,
and it's located in the historic
city of Scranton.
The sound of the bell and the
puffs of billowing steam are
clear signals you've made it
to Steamtown.
This national park and historic
site can demonstrate the how...
the what...
the why...
...and the way back when, when
it comes to steam locomotives.
>> It's hands-on.
You can come and experience
everything, not just in
exhibits, but you can actually
touch and see things run.
>> Inside the history museum,
you can follow a timeline of
railroading from the earliest
days of rails to the 1980s.
Of all the great exhibits,
equipment and displays
you'll find at Steamtown,
this is where you can really
pull back the curtain on the
magic that is steam locomotion.
>> Now, we're going to show you
how this thing operates.
The fireman is shoveling coal
through the fire doors
onto the grates in the fire box.
It creates hot gases which pass
through the fire tubes,
surrounded by water,
getting the water hot.
As the water boils,
it makes steam.
Steam rises to the highest point
of the boiler.
It goes into the steam dome,
gets forced into the throttle
valve, which is controlled by
the engineer.
That steam expands through
the dry pipe, moves forward into
the smokebox, gets split in
half, that side, this side,
moves into the steam chest.
The valve controls the direction
of the locomotive depending
on which way the valve is set.
steam gets emitted from the
front of the valve into the
front of the piston which forces
the piston back which, in turn,
is attached to the piston rod,
the main rod, the crankpin, and
the main wheel.
As this is happening,
as soon as that stroke is
complete, the valve moves
forward.
The steam gets emitted behind
the valve, behind the piston.
The piston gets moved forward,
and you have that chuffing
sound, moves back and forth,
back and forth.
The steam then gets exhausted
out of the smokestack,
through the smokebox creating
a vacuum which, in turn, creates
more heat because it's drawing
all those hot gases through the
fire into the fire tubes,
thus ming the engine more
efficient the faster it goes.
That, in essence, is how a steam
locomotive operates.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> Welcome into
our locomotive shop.
Here we have the major repairs
take place on the steam
locomotives.
>> Steamtown has tours of its
massive shop and maintenance
facility nearly every day of the
year.
>> I am just in awe
that I am standing in a building
that was built in 1865
during the Civil War,
and just so many things around
are just so authentically old,
and I just love the history.
>> When your tour is complete,
you come away with a wealth of
knowledge about steam engines.
>> What I learned especially
was how much maintenance it
takes to keep up a steam engine.
I've always known it was a lot,
but I never knew it was...
Half its lifetime it could be
in the shop.
>> The 54-acre national historic
site features the smallest
steam engine ever built,
as well as the largest.
>> I liked my visit here because
I like seeing historical things,
like the
Union Pacific's Big Boy right
there, and it's important to
have places like this around so
people can learn about the
history of steam engines
and history of other trains.
>> Steamtown covers steam
railroading in three parts,
including the big picture
of the overall impact
on our commerce and culture
as well as the story of the
people who worked on the rails.
>> The other third
is the roundhouse,
an actual operating roundhouse
where the steam locomotives
come in, in the evening.
The fires are dampened.
The next day,
the engines are prepared,
and they back out onto our
90-foot turntable
and then go out in the yard
for the day's operation.
[ Train whistle blows ]
*
We are an operating railroad.
We take people out on mainline
excursions, having the
mainline-steam expernce with
them through the Poconos.
>> Today's journey,
the train traveled up
to Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.
Here, patrons disembark
for an hour layover before
heading back to Steamtown.
During the stop, the engine is
serviced, and many visitors got
an up-close-and-personal
look at the process.
>> It's a massive
piece of machinery.
Just to stand there and look
at it is overwhelming,
to feel the sheer power
and energy from that type
of piece of equipment.
>> The visitors say nothing
rivals Steamtown
when it comes to a celebration,
as well as an explanation
of our great steam railroads.
>> Someone should come here
because it really is
the true railroad experience.
You get to see the trains
in the yard.
You get to ride them.
You get to get up close to them.
There's actually lines
still running through here,
so it's still a railroad here,
not just a museum.
>> The thrill of a family
coming in with young kids
to see a steam locomotive,
sometimes for the first time,
is a thrill in and of its own,
and we get excited about that.
We're very proud of this
complex.
*
>> There's only one railway
in North America
that's been a part of nearly
400 feature films, TV shows, and
commercials.
The Fillmore & Western Railroad
is a favorite
with Hollywood producers
because of its location,
equipment, and expertise
in railroading.
>> The railroad is located
in the town
of Fillmore, California,
which lies about 50 miles north
of Los Angeles.
There's something very familiar
about the trains you'll see
rolling through this part
of the Santa Clara Valley.
>> You know, you've seen this
100 times.
You just don't know it.
So that makes it kind of
interesting.
>> The Fillmore & Western
Railroad is called
"The Home of the Movie Trains"
because they've been a part of
so many productions,
ranging from magazine shoots
to television commercials,
prime-time hit shows,
and feature films.
>> A couple weeks ago
we had "Fear Factor"
out doing stunts, "CSI"...
Pretty much all of the TV
productions that's close
to Hollywood come out
and visit us occasionally,
so that's kind of fun.
>> Being part of those
productions helps keep
their vintage diesel engines
and rolling stock,
along with a 1913 steam
locomotive, in regular service
and out of a museum.
Helping keep this historic
equipment on the rails
is an army of volunteers.
>> My nickname on this railroad
is "Blacky" because I was
covered in soot the very first
day I came here as a volunteer.
>> But David is not
your typical railroad volunteer.
>> I'm actually
a professional musician.
I'm an orchestra-pit musician.
Most of my work is Broadway
shows, so it works out in my
favor because during the day
I've got free, and so I can come
here and volunteer and
then, at night, do my gigs.
>> He's one of many volunteers
from the area that come to help
keep this 1913 Baldwin steam
locomotive in operation.
>> Just getting the opportunity
to be up close with one and
being able to take care of one
and to help, like, maintain one,
it just feels really special,
just to be around these
machines.
It just inspires so much
romanticism and inspiration
and imagination around them.
So just being able to do that,
I was just kind of like, "Well,
ah, I totally would love to
come and volunteer and be close
to something that I've admired
for so long."
>> And a lot of our volunteers
are very interesting people from
non-railroad backgrounds which
is wonderful, and it's nice to
have a new generation of new
blood into steam railroading.
[ Train bell dinging ]
>> It's a great example of,
like, if someone cares enough,
you know, these trains
can be running again.
They can be working pieces
of beautiful machinery that,
you know, people can enjoy.
>> And hundreds of thousands
of people do each year,
thanks in part
to Sarah and David.
They help in creating
a one-of-a-kind experience
for all to enjoy.
Most passengers venture
to the open-air cars.
Here, your senses come alive.
You can smell the fruit trees,
feel the gentle breeze,
and bask in the warm sunshine.
>> Oh, my gosh.
Well, it's a beautiful day out.
We have this gorgeous
Southern California weather,
and just to be outside
and appreciating the scenery
and doing something with my
family is amazing.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> The railway has a large
variety of cars for you to ride
in.
Another favorite is
the Powhatan.
It's a beautifully restored
1928 Pullman parlor car
with some very unique features.
>> The inside interior
is still primarily as it was
when they made it in 1928.
The brass fans are still
original.
The lighting is still original,
all the hardware, and it was
able to be preserved and
restored back into its original
state.
>> Movies and commercials
often demand different looks,
so these cars
and locomotives have been
repainted and reconfigured
countless times.
>> You know, but we like to keep
them original-looking for the
film industry, so when you come
out here to see a coach, it's
going to be pretty much like
when it came off the railroad.
>> Still, when you're dealing
with Hollywood, even the
railroad tunnels aren't what
they seem.
>> We built this movie set
in 6 weeks for
Walt Disney Productions'
"Return to Witch Mountain."
>> That was just one of several
films the Fillmore & Western
have been part of.
>> I got finished doing
"Water for Elephants."
That was the last huge
production that was on the
property, and then we've done
"Inception" and "Seabiscuit,"
and it goes on and on.
The list is quite long on the
major motion pictures that we've
been involved in.
>> When the sun goes down,
one of the railroad's other
trains becomes the star
attraction for many who are
looking to enjoy a fine meal on
the rails.
>> Our dinner trains are very
unique.
They're 1950s streamliners.
People can come in,
have a seven-course meal that,
you know, is prepared on board,
and it takes people back in
time, maybe back in the
'50s and '60s.
>> Back when conversation
was part of the trip...
>> Besides my wife, I don't know
anyone on this train
before I got on it,
so it's been fun meeting new
people and learning about them.
>> The crew has to hustle
to make this meal happen.
>> We got to get this food out
in about 45 minutes,
so 45 minutes for 160 people,
so it is pretty challenging.
>> No complaints,
only compliments
and a lot of relaxed smiles.
>> The food is excellent.
>> I had a wonderful time.
It was a great experience.
I would do it again.
If I have the opportunity,
I will do it again.
>> There's a wide variety of
equipment and experiences
to be found here
because whether you're making
a movie or a family memory,
you'll find there's nothing like
finding the right machine
to help you travel through time.
>> It's like a physical
nostalgia that you can actually
touch.
It's really something special.
You know that it's seen
and experienced a lot of things,
even though it's just a machine.
>> People say, "You know,
if these walls could talk..."
Well, these cars do talk,
you know?
You just have to listen.
They talk.
[ Railroad bells dinging ]
[ Train whistle blowing ]
>> And youl hear it, in a
quiet community just outside the
movie capital of the world or on
your next trip to the theater
to see the heavy hardware
of the Fillmore & Western
stealing the show.
>> The Pacific Northwest of
Canada has a rich history
written by the railroads
and the logging industry.
Our next location is the only
place in the country where you
can ride a steam train, see the
country's only steam-powered
sawmill in operation, and watch
a steam-powered doey in
action.
>> To be able to experience
this steam adventure, you need
to head to Vancouver Island,
British Columbia, and the
community of Port Alberni.
Port Alberni is a community
built by the timber industry,
and people here never forgot
those roots.
>> Had the first sawmill,
export sawmill, actually,
in 1860 and a pulp mill in 1894.
Both basically failed, and it
was due to transportation, and
with the building of the railway
in 1912, that opened things up.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> The rails still lead
deep into the forest,
to hills covered in Douglas fir,
high as the sky and the color of
money.
At the restored train station,
you'll find engine number 7
looking every bit as good
as she did back in 1929.
John Lan had a long career
working on steam vessels
in the Canadian Navy,
and when he arrived here
in early 2000 to retire,
he got an opportunity to work
once again in the profession
he loves,
though this steam engine is far
less complicated to operate.
>> I like the raw power
of the engine,
to be able to crack open
that throttle and just watch it
dig in and get going.
*
>> These days, instead of
hauling timber, it's loaded with
people who want to take a ride
back in time to the McLean Mill.
>> Please feel free to board up,
and I'll help you on board
there.
We're going to have a wonderful
day today and a wonderful
journey to the McLean Mill,
a national historic site.
All aboard!
>> Conductor Kevin Hunter
has been apart of the operation
from almost the beginning
and feels it's very important
to present this history.
>> This is a bit of a dying art,
to run a steam train,
to man a steam train,
to restore a steam train,
and this is part of our history.
It's not like we're restoring
something from across Canada
or from the United States.
This locomotive ran in our town
for 16 years, so this is part of
our history.
*
>> Along the way, you find out
how much people love having
this train running once again.
Lots of smiles, a friendly wave
from neighbors along the tracks.
Vintage cars and trucks chase
the train as you journey up the
mountain, just an added
attraction that makes you feel
like things haven't changed a
bit.
But this trip has more surprises
ahead and memories to be made.
>> All right, everybody,
welcome to McLean Mill.
My name is James and this is my
fellow Tin Pants Theater Troupe.
We got a great day planned for
you today.
>> The mill is a national
historic site, a living,
breathing example of how to turn
timber into income.
>> The last steam-driven
sawmill in Western Canada,
if not all of Canada,
built in 1926
and operated continuously
until December 17, 1965.
>> Here you can get up close
and personal with the equipment
as the staff gives you a visual
history lesson like no other.
The McLean Mill still hisses
and spins, rumbles and shakes,
as it did many years ago.
Though what you see on top is
intriguing, what you see under
the mill will fascinate you.
>> When you start the engine,
everything starts to roll
because everything is connected
by flat belts.
Throughout the mill,
there's about 1,000 feet
of flat belt,
which connects all the pieces
of equipment to the main engine.
*
>> Including the top saw
with a 50-inch blade
and a bottom saw with a 54-inch.
Even after all these years,
it's still got an appetite
for this old growth timber.
>> Pretty entertaining
for the people when they see
a large log like that cut.
>> The sight, the sound,
the smell.
You can taste it in your mouth,
you know, very energizing
and kind of exciting.
>> Okay.
Welcome to the old-time
logging demonstration here
at the McLean Mill
National Historic Site.
What you're going to see here,
you're not going to see
any place else in Canada.
We're the only people
doing this the way it was done
in the old days.
>> And some visitors get some
hands-on experience in
one of the toughest jobs here --
getting the logs out
of the woods using the only
steam-powered donkey in Canada.
>> Pull hard.
There, you've got it!
She set her first choker!
>> Whoo!
>> I think it's very important
to see, let her know that things
weren't always that way that she
knows now, but people work
really, really hard in the olden
days, and it took a lot more
effort to get jobs done than
what we are used to now.
>> This is almost
our grandfher's generation,
and you realize, you know,
these guys weren't sitting
behind offices and cubicles.
These guys were out there
risking their life and limb
every day to be able to get
a job, a good, honest living,
wo outdoors, in a lot of
cases, be able to supply things
I think too many people take for
granted.
>> The roots still run deep
in Port Alberni.
Even a visitor from halfway
around the world can feel it.
>> Just the feel of the place,
it's got a history to it.
You could almost feel
the past people, you know,
who have done it before,
the ghosts of the place.
It was quite an experience.
>> We have a great history,
a proud history in Port Alberni
through our foresty heritage
and through the McLean Mill and
the railway and the steam
donkey, the ability to preserve
and present th to generations
is awesome.
It's needed.
It's required, I believe.
It's where we came from
and it's a proud part of our
West Coast history.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> WELL, LINDA, NOW YOU KNOW
WHAT A STEAM DONKEY IS.
>> I DO.
AND EVERYBODY WATCHING PBS
WISCONSIN NOW KNOWS WHAT A STEAM
DONKEY IS.
>> I HOPE YOU'RE LEARNING A LOT
FROM THE SHOW.
THIS IS A SPECIAL BREAK FOR US.
>> IT IS.
I'M LINDA BERMAN, A VOLUNTEER
HERE WITH PBS WISCONSIN.
I'VE GOT WITH ME ROBERT,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CREATOR OF
THE "GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS," AND THIS IS A SPECIAL
BREAK.
THIS IS OUR CHALLENGE BREAK.
WE ARE CHALLENGING YOU RIGHT NOW
TO CALL TO MATCH DOLLAR FOR
DOLLAR.
WE HAVE A FUND ALREADY SET UP BY
MEMBERS WHO WILL MATCH DOLLAR
FOR DOLLAR WHEN YOU CALL.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR NEW
MEMBERS BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY
LEARN HISTORY, BUT TO LEARN
ABOUT THE TRAIN HISTORY.
>> BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IF
YOU'RE ENJOYING WHAT YOU'RE
SEEING, AND YOU WANT TO TAKE
LOCAL TRAIN RIDES, WE'RE GOING
TO BE HEADING TO THOSE SEGMENTS.
YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DOLLARS DOUBLE
HERE.
STARTING AT OUR BASIC LEVEL ALL
THE WAY UP TO OUR PRESIDENTIAL,
STAY WITH US ME AS I WALK THROUGH
THIS.
$16, WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEADED GO AHEAD
AND GET YOU A COPY OF THE
PROGRAM YOU'RE WATCHING.
THERE IS A BLU RAY AND STANDARD
DVD IN THIS PACKAGE OF THE
PROGRAM.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GOT THE
BEST PICTURE QUALITY FOR
WHICHEVER FORMAT YOU STILL HAVE
IN YOUR HOME.
WE ALSO HAVE THE NEW GUIDEBOOK.
THIS IS OUR BRAND NEW SIXTH
EDITION THAT WE PUT TOGETHER FOR
YOU.
IT IS A DISTRICTRY TO EVERY
SINGLE EVERY RAILWAY MUSEUM.
YOU WANT TO SLEEP IN A CABOOSE,
WE GOT IT IN HERE.
THE GREAT ATTRACTIONS IN
WISCONSIN, THEY'RE ALL IN HERE.
NOW, WE HAVE UPDATED ALL OF THIS
FROM LAST TIME YOU PLEDGED.
WE'VE ALSO TAKEN THAT COMPUTER
DIRECTORY THAT WAS ON A CD ROM.
WE MADE IT DOWNLOADABLE FOR YOU.
SO MANY OF YOU DO ALL YOUR
RESEARCH ON YOUR TABLETS NOW AND
YOUR PHONE AND YOUR LAPTOPS.
WE WANTED TO MAKE IT TO WHERE
YOU COULD DOWNLOAD THIS
DIRECTLY.
WORKS ON YOUR PC OR MAC OR
TABLET AND YOU CAN FIND ALL THE
MIEW
MUSEUMS.
WE GOT THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
WE LINK YOU DIRECTLY TO THEIR
WEBSITE.
THERE'S OUR 500 LINKS ON THIS
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
WE'VE GOT THE ILLINOIS RAIL
MUSEUM, THE NATIONAL RAIL
MUSEUM.
WE'VE GOT SPECIAL GUESTS WHO ARE
GOING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE GREAT
TRIPS.
CONSIDER THIS.
WE ALSO PUT IN DAY WITH THOMAS
AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM DOES A DAY
WITH THOMAS EVERY YEAR IF YOU
WANT TO EXPERIENCE THAT.
IF YOU WANT TO RIDE SOME TRAINS,
YOU'RE GOING ONE THING I LOVE
ABOUT PBS WISCONSIN IS THE
EDUCATIONAL VALUE I GET NOT ONLY
FOR ME, BUT FOR MY KIDS AND
GRANDKIDS.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO TWO
OF THE BEST RAIL MUSEUMS AND
GIVE YOU AN ULTIMATE JOURNEY IN
THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE
STATE.
AT $20 SUSTAINING, DURING THIS
BREAK, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU
ALL THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS AT THE
$96 LEVEL, PLUS YOU'RE GOING TO
GET TICKETS TO THREE OF MY
FAVORITE JOURNEYS, THE NATIONAL
RAIL MUSEUM, TALK TO BOB, NICK,
AND GREG FROM THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GIVE
YOU TICKETS TO ONE, GO TO THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
THIS IS A NATIONAL TREASURE
BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY AND
DIVERSITY OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT
THEY HAVE AND THE HISTORY THAT
GOES WITH THAT EQUIPMENT.
I'M GOING TO TALK WITH BOB ABOUT
A VERY SPECIAL ENGINE THAT A
VERY SPECIAL PRESIDENT RODE
AROUND THROUGHOUT EUROPE TO HELP
US WIN THE WAR OVER THERE.
IT'S IN HIS MUSEUM ALONG WITH A
LOT OF OTHER PIECES.
THERE'S THAT SPECIAL ENGINE THAT
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HERE.
BUT YOU CAN WALK THROUGH A
100-YEAR-OLD SLEEPING CAR AND
SEE HOW PEOPLE USED TO TRAVEL
BACK IN THE DAY.
OF COURSE, THEIR LIBRARY AND ALL
THE OTHER INFORMATION THEY HAVE.
AND THEN NICK IS GOING TO TALK
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM.
IT BEGAN IN 1953 WITH TEN
GENTLEMEN HE AND NOW HAS OVER 500
PIECES IN THE COLLECTION.
THEY HAVE STEAM ENGINES YOU CAN
RIDE WITH.
THEY HAVE EVERY KIND OF RAILWAY
EQUIPMENT INCLUDING TROLLEYS.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL TRIP YOU'RE
ABLE TO DO.
YOU CAN GO THROUGH THEIR BARNS
AND SPEND DAYS IN THIS PLACE.
IT IS AMAZING.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT IT IS THE
VOLUNTEERS THAT PUT THEIR HEART
AND SOUL INTO THIS TO GIVE YOU
AN EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'LL ONLY
GET HERE, YOU CAN SEE IT, TOUCH
IT, TASTE IT, FEEL IT, RIDE IT.
THEN LASTLY WE'VE GOT THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN HAS PUT
TOGETHERRING SOME
TOGETHER SOME DAY PASSES FOR THE
FAMILY TO RIDE THEIR BEAUTIFUL
TRIP UP THERE AS WELL.
SO CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT AT OUR $20 SUSTAINER
PASSENGER LEVEL OR $240 ONE-TIME
GIFT.
THEN AT OUR $30 LEVEL WE'VE GOT
A GREAT DINNER TRAIN PACKAGE.
THEN AT OUR PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL
WE GOT A LOT.
I'M GOING TO TOSS IT OVER TO
LINDA AND SHE'S GOING TO TALK
WITH NICK ABOUT THEIR GREAT
LOCATION.
>> YES.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU, THIS IS
OUR CHALLENGE BREAK.
WE ARE HOPING FOR 30 CALLS.
WE ALREADY HAVE NINE.
I AM HONORED TO HAVE NICK, WHO
IS THE CONDUCTOR.
HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL RAILROAD.
>> ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
>> THANK YOU.
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM.
TELL ME, YOU'RE LOCATED IN
UNION, ILLINOIS.
WHERE IS THIS?
>> BOY, YOU CAN MISS UNION
REALLY EASY.
>> OKAY.
>> BECAUSE BLINK YOUR EYES AND
YOU'RE THROUGH.
WE'RE A HALF HOUR EAST OF
ROCKFORD JUST OFF THE TOLL ROAD,
ABOUT A HALF HOUR SOUTH OF LAKE
GENEVA.
WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM MILWAUKEE
AREA THAT COME EVERY WEEKEND TO
WORK ON THE TRAINS.
MEMBERS COME FROM EVERYWHERE.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM
WAY OUT OF STATE AND THEY'LL
STAY OVERNIGHT AND OFFER THE
WHOLE WEEKEND.
SO WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE TO THE
BORDER.
>> WELL, THAT'S GOOD.
EASY TO ACCESS.
>> YES.
>> TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ACTUAL
TRAINS AND CAN PEOPLE RIDE THEM
EVERY DAY OR ARE THEY ONLY OPEN
AT A CERTAIN TIME OR WHAT?
>> OUR PRIMARY SEASON GOES UP
AND DOWN WITH THE WEATHER.
SO THAT SAID, WE OBVIOUSLY DO
RUN THE CHRISTMAS TRAINS AND WE
RUN THE PUMPKIN TRAINS AND THAT.
BUT THE BULK OF OUR SEASON
REALLY STARTS WHEN THE WARM
WEATHER COMES AND THAT'S ABOUT
THE 1ST OF MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.
>> OKAY.
MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.
>> MAY THROUGH OCTOBER ON.
WE'RE OPEN DAILY.
>> EXCELLENT.
THIS IS GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW
WHEN PLANNING A VISIT IF THEY'RE
CALLING TO GET ONE OF THESE
WONDERFUL PACKAGES.
THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN THEY CAN
COME.
YOU SAID YOU CAN RIDE SOME OF
THESE TRAINS.
WHAT ARE THE TRAINS THEY CAN GO
ON TO RIDE?
>> IN THE MOVIE HERE YOU SAW
TRAINS MOVING AND THERE'S PEOPLE
STANDING THERE.
THOSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING ON
THOSE TRAINS.
IT'S THE REAL DEAL.
AND THE ZEPHYR IS VERY POPULAR
BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOVIE TRAIN.
MADONNA AND GENE THAT GINA DAVIS AND ALL
OF THEM.
I GOT TO SHAKE THEIR HANDS.
THAT SAME TRAIN SET, PEOPLE
RIDED IT FOR RIDE
IT FOR THE REGULAR ADMISSION FOR
THE DAY.
$15 GETS YOU ANY RIDE THAT'S OUT
THERE.
IF YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE, WE HAVE
3.2 MILES OF TRACK UNDER ROOF.
>> WOW.
>> YEAH.
YOU GET YOUR EXERCISE IN THIS
PLACE.
>> THAT'S GREAT.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO
ROB TO HEAR SOME MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FANTASTIC
TRAINS.
>> THAT ZEPHYR, BACK IN THE DAY,
YOU COULD EAT DINNER ON IT.
BUT THEY DON'T SERVE DINNER ON
THAT LINE, BUT WE DO HAVE
TICKETS FOR YOU TO COME ONBOARD
ON THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU PASSING
TO GO UP AND HAVE A GREAT DINNER
WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT OUR
$30 SUSTAINING OR ONE-TIME GIFT
OF $360, THE DVD SET, ALONG WITH
THE TICKETS.
LET'S SHOW THAT FOOT AGE.
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TRIP UP
IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF IT.
THOSE ARE THE STREAMLINER
ENGINES.
THEY HAVE SEVERAL THEY'VE
PRESERVED.
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE STEPPING
BACK IN TIME RIDING INTO
HISTORY.
THE VIEWS.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT THE TRAIN
UP THERE IS THEY'RE NOT GOING 80
MILES AN HOUR LIKE AMTRAK DOES.
THEY'RE GOING 10 TO 15.
YOU ALWAYS MEET NEW PEOPLE.
I LOVE THE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE OF
THESE DINNER TRAINS BECAUSE YOU
GET TO MEET PEOPLE.
GET UP THERE, HAVE SOME DRINKS
AT THE OLD BAR.
THEIR FOOD IS AWESOME.
THEY GOT GREAT MUSIC IN THE
CARS.
YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE A FUN
TIME.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING
TO DO, AN ANNIVERSARY, BIRTHDAY,
COUPLE THING WITH FRIENDS, THIS
IS THE ONE TO DO.
SO YOU GOT A FULL YEAR TO REDEEM
THOSE VOUCHERS.
THEN AGAIN AT OUR TOP LEVEL, OUR
PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGE, JUST $420,
ONE-TIME GIFT, $35 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE
YOU THE FOUR PASSES TO THE
DINNER TRAIN, THE PASSES TO THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM AND
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM ALONG WITH
ALL THE THANK YOU GIFTS YOU SEE
ON THE RIGHT, THE CREW CAP, THE
DRINK TUMBLER AND OUR TOTE BAG
ALONG WITH ALL THE GIFTS AT THE
$96.
I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST.
WE GOT BOB WITH ME RIGHT NOW.
HE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO TALK A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM AND WHAT A
GREAT PLACE IT IS.
SO TELL US, WHEN PEOPLE GET TO
GO TO YOUR LOCATION OUTSIDE OF
MY AUDIENCE BASE, THEY WANT TO
GET ON THOSE TRAINS.
AND THEY CAN DO THAT.
>> OH, YES.
>> BUT YOU GUYS ARE SUCH A
STRONG EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM.
TELL US ABOUT THE MUSEUM AND
WHAT THEY LEARN AND THE THINGS
THEY CAN DO.
>> THINK ABOUT JUST ABOUT ANY
SUBJECT AND WE CAN RELATE TRAINS
TO IT AND WE DEAL WITH IT IN OUR
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
JUST COME HERE TO THE MUSEUM.
WE ARE ONE OF THE MORE IMMERSIVE
RAILWAY MUSEUMS AROUND.
YOU CAN WALK THROUGH A SLEEPING
CAR THAT'S 100 YEARS OLD.
WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE TRAIN
EISENHOWER RODE ON BEFORE THE
D-DAY INVASION.
WE HAVE THAT.
WANT TO SIT IN THE CAB OF THE
WORLD'S LARGEST STEAMER?
WE CAN PUT YOU THERE AS WELL.
IT ALL GOES TO EDUCATION,
EXPLORATION.
SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE, BUT SEE
HOW TRAINS STILL IMPACT OUR
LIVES TODAY.
ALL A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO AT
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.
>> THE OTHER THING IS WE DID
THIS TWO YEARS AGO.
YOU'VE HAD A LOT CHANGE.
SO PEOPLE THAT COME TO THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM AND THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN, YOU
GUYS HAVE NEW THINGS TO OFFER.
>> ALL THREE OF THESE MUSEUMS
AND US AND ILLINOIS AND
WISCONSIN, ALWAYS WORKING ON NEW
PIECES OF EQUIPMENT.
THERE IS A CAR THAT IS NOW AN
EXHIBIT.
RIGHT NOW IN OUR SHOPS WE'RE
WORKING ON A HOSPITAL CAR FROM
THE CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN.
THAT'S GOING TO BE OUT IN A FEW
YEARS.
WE'RE ALWAYS TWEAKING THE
EXHIBITS.
RIGHT NOW I'M REVAMPING OUR
EXHIBIT AROUND THAT BIG BOY
LOCOMOTIVE.
>> BEING THE UP PUT THEIRS BACK
OUT THERE.
FOLKS, WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF
OUR FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN
COMING IN.
WE'RE GOING TO TOSS IT OVER NOW
TO TALK ABOUT THE DINNER TRAINS
WITH GREG AND LINDA.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
JUST A QUICK REMINDER THAT THIS
IS THE CHALLENGE BREAK.
WE ALREADY HAVE 22 CALLS.
WE KNOW WE CAN MAKE OUR 30.
IT'S SO EXCITING TO HEAR
EVERYTHING WE'RE SAYING RATHER
THAN CALLING, BUT REMEMBER
1-800-236-3636.
I HAVE THIS HAT HERE AND THIS
WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, LARGE
T-SHIRT.
WHY DO YOU GET THIS?
WHAT DOES THIS COME WITH?
>> WELL, IN THE PRESIDENTIAL
PACKAGE TONIGHT, IT'S ONE OF OUR
BONUS GIFTS.
YOU GET A CERTIFICATE SO WHEN
YOU COME RIDE THE DINNER TRAIN,
YOU GET TO PICK AN IM BROI
DERRED EM BRAY EMBROIDERED
HAT AND THE T-SHIRT.
WE HAVE A HALF A DOZEN DIFFERENT
DESIGNS OF EACH AND YOU GET A
CERTIFICATE OF ONE.
>> SO A ME MEN TOE OF YOUR
DINNER.
TELL ME ABOUT THIS DINNER.
WHERE IS IT PREPARED?
>> IN A TRADITIONAL RAILROAD CAR
AS WE ROLL DOWN THE TRACKS.
IT STARTS OUT WITH AN APPETIZER
AND THEN WE SERVE A SOUP, CHOICE
OF FIVE ENTREES.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE BEEF, CHICKEN,
BBQ RIBS, SALMON OR A
FOUR-CHEESE PASTA DISH AND THEN
FINISHES UP WITH ELY'S TURTLE
CHEESECAKE.
>> YOU COVER THE BASES.
ARE DRINKS INCLUDED?
>> COFFEE, ICE TEA AND LEMONADE
ARE INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND SODA IS
AVAILABLE FROM THE CASH BAR.
>> SO THIS IS A REALLY FINE
DINING EXPERIENCE.
WITH MUSIC?
>> THERE IS MUSIC ON THE TRAIN.
AND UNLIKE A LOT OF TRAINS, YOU
ARE WELCOME TO GET UP AND MOVE
ABOUT OUR TRAIN DURING THE RIDE.
SO YOU CAN START OUT IN THE
LOUNGE CAR, HAVE A COCKTAIL,
THEN GO SIT IN THE DINING CAR
FOR DINNER AND THEN GO BACK TO
THE LOUNGE CAR.
>> SO YOU'RE NOT STUFFED IN A
QUARTER AND YOU GET TO ENJOY THE
SCENERY AND THE TRAIN.
>> AND THE TRAIN IS NICE BECAUSE
EACH CAR IS A LITTLE BIT
DIFFERENT, SO YOU GET TO SEE
DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME AND
DIFFERENT DECOR AS YOU'RE
ROLLING THROUGH THE NORTHWOODS.
>> EXCELLENT.
SO HOW LONG IS THE TRAIN ITSELF
OR HOW LONG IS THE RIDE FOR THE
DINNER TRAIN?
>> RIDE IS 2.5 HOURS, DEPARTS AT
5:30 TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
AND GETS BACK ABOUT 8:00.
>> EXCELLENT.
TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER
PACKAGES, HERE'S ROB.
>> I'LL TELL YOU, FOLKS, I LOVE
GOING TO GREG'S PLACE.
I'VE BEEN THERE, EATEN THAT
FOOD.
I NEED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT
OF A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR MEMBERS OF
PBS WISCONSIN THAT HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM FOR SO
MANY YEARS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT AND FILM A
FULL DOCUMENTARY.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THE WHOLE
STORY, HIS FAMILY'S STORY AROUND
ALL THE GREAT EQUIPMENT UP THERE
AND YOU, OUR MEMBERS, MADE THAT
POSSIBLE.
SO PLEASE CALL DURING THIS
BREAK.
EVERY DOLLAR IS GOING TO BE
DOUBLED.
WE ONLY GOT A COUPLE MORE
MINUTES.
PICK WHICH LEVEL WORKS BEST FOR
YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO COME ON AT OUR
BASE LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN PICK
ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE,
FOR $8 OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF $96,
YOU CAN GET THIS DVD BLU RAY SET
OF THIS PROGRAM ALONG WITH SIX
EXTRA RAILROADS ALONG WITH BONUS
FOOTAGE WHERE WE TALK ABOUT THE
MANY YEARS OF FILMING AND A LOT
OF THE INTERESTING FACTS.
OR YOU CAN ASK FOR THE
GUIDEBOOK.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND ALL THESE
TOURIST RAILROADS AND MUSEUMS
THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA, ASK
FOR OUR GUIDEBOOK.
OR YOU CAN ASK FOR THAT COMPUTER
DIRECTORY WHICH YOU DOWNLOAD TO
YOUR PHONE, TABLET, PC OR MAC
AND YOU CAN START SEARCHING AND
LINKING TO ALL THOSE RAILROAD
ATRK SHONS.
IF YOU WANT TO GET ALL THREE,
HERE'S A QUICK DEMO OF THE
DIRECTORY.
IT'S GOT ALL THE INFORMATION OF
THE BOOK, A LOT MORE DETAIL, A
LOT MORE EQUIPMENT, ROUTE MAPS,
FARES, SCHEDULES.
WE LINK YOU DIRECTLY TO THAT
RAILROAD'S WEBSITE SO YOU CAN
SIT THERE AND FIND OUT ALL OF IT
AND BOOK THOSE TICKETS DIRECTLY
IF YOU WANT TO DO IT.
IF YOU WANT ALL THOSE THANK YOU
GIFTS AND FAMILY PASSES TO THESE
THREE GREAT TRAINS, YOU BUMP IT
UP TO $20.
WE WILL GET YOU PASSES TO ALL
THREE MUSEUMS.
AND IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND
SWITCH IT OUT AND JUST DO DINNER
TRAIN ONLY, A VERY HIGH,
FOUR-COURSE GOURMET MEAL, COME
UP TO $30 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
AND WE WILL GET YOU FOUR TICKETS
TO RIDE THE TRAIN ALONG WITH ALL
THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS.
BUT WHY BOTHER, BECAUSE THIS IS
THE ONE EVERYBODY IS GOING
AFTER.
$420 OR JUST $35 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP, REMEMBER, THAT
DOUBLE THE, FOLKS, WHEN YOU MAKE
THAT PLEDGE, WE'RE GOING TO
THROW IN FOUR DINNER TRAIN
PASSES, FOUR PASSES TO THE RAIL
MUSEUM AND NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM
ALONG WITH ALL THE THANK YOU
GIFTS, TOTE BAG, DRINK TUMBLER
AND CREW CAP.
WE ARE GOING TO HEAD TO THE LAST
ACT OF THIS GREAT SHOW THAT YOU
MADE POSSIBLE.
HEAD TO MAY FAVORITE MY FAVORITE LOGGING
RAILROAD.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE
BLACK HILLS.
AND END UP WITH MICHAEL MARTIN
MURPHY JAMMING OUT PLAYING A LOT
OF MUSIC ON ON THE RIO GRANDE.
WE'LL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT BREAK.
>> Our next steam trains worked
hard for a living, hauling logs
down the steep slopes of the
West Virginia mountains.
The Cass Scenic Railway
boasts the largest number
of Shay logging locomotives
in the world.
Today, those engines carry
passengers to an elevation
of nearly 5,000 feet,
to the peak of Bald Knob,
the highest railroad point east
of the Mississippi River.
>> The town of Cass is located
about 200 miles west
of Washington, D.C.,
deep in the Appalachian spine
of West Virginia.
[ Train bell dings ]
Cass has a fascinating history,
mainly because it began life
as a company town
from the early 1900s.
The community had only one
purpose -- harvesting,
preparing, and shipping
Appalachian hardwood and wood
products for a growing nation.
Special steam engines were
needed to haul the massive loads
of logs off the steep slopes
of these mountains.
>> The move was on to try to
find a locomotive that would
handle the kind of track that
lumber companies were using.
>> A Michigan lumberman named
Ephraim Shay had the answer,
a new kind of steam engine
that would revolutionize
mountain logging.
>> He came up with this
improbable-looking thing that,
essentially, it rode on
four-wheel trucks like railroad
cars do, especially freight
cars, and that gave her the
flexibility of a boxcar as
opposed to an engine with a big
bunch of huge driving wheels,
and it worked.
>> Even today, the Shay
locomotive is a twirling wonder,
intricate load gears providing
power and stability,
two elements crucial
for safe mountain railroading.
Today, Cass has the largest
roster of operating Shay
locomotives anywhere in the
world.
It's a true marvel that these
fascinating machines are still
working today thanks to some
local business people
who, in 1962, persuaded the
West Virginia legislature that
the state should go into the
tourist railroad business
following the mill's sudden
closure 2 years earlier.
The railroad offers several
unique trips which allow
visitors to experience what
railroading was like on this
line back in the early 1900s.
>> One of our popular
excursions, and a little bit
shorter in length, is the
Whitaker trip, about 2 hours.
It takes you up to an old meadow
with logging displays, a
pavilion, and other activities.
>> This camp of the 1940s
shows both the living quarters
and the equipment used by
the loggers of that time period.
[ Train whistle blows ]
The most popular trip the
railroad offers is the Bald Knob
excursion.
Here you climb over 4,800 feet,
traversing through some of
the most breathtaking scenery
that West Virginia has to offer.
>> Bald Knob is the flagship
excursion.
It takes you to the highest
point on a standard gauge
railroad east of the Rockies.
Clear days, you're looking
into the state of Virginia.
>> There's a sense of
tranquility and peace for those
that get to take in these views
atop this 4,800-foot mountain.
It's truly an uplifting
experience.
>> Literally and figuratively,
the whole day has just been an
up, and here we are sitting on
the top of the world, looking
out.
It's pretty darn cool.
>> It's like being
in an otherworld experience.
There's no sound of civilization
other than human voices.
>> It's breathtaking.
It's an adventure because you
get to see all the natural
beauty and the wildlife that
wouldn't otherwise be seen,
especially, like, if you're
riding in a car.
>> Cass is more than just a
train ride.
You get to take narrative tours
to see the mill ruins,
walks through town, and then to
go through the Cass shops and
see how these locomotives
operate and how they're
maintained.
>> We do the machine work in
there, we do all the boiler
work.
We have all the boiler tools,
anything to do with the gears,
the wheels, anything like that.
We can do everything.
>> One thing that railroad
veterans everywhere are
concerned about is the future,
not that the public's
fascination with steam
locomotives will decline
or the demand won't be there for
tourist railroad experiences.
The concern is about where their
replacements will come from.
>> It's very hard to find people
to work on.
The younger generation isn't
that interested.
It's not easy to find anybody.
They come and go,
and I'm worried about it.
It's not just a job.
You have to be like me.
u got to live and breathe
these things to keep them going
because it's a lot of work.
>> Whether accented by
brilliant fall colors
or just an ordinary day
atop one of West Virginia's
tallest mountains
and the highest railroad peak
east of the Mississippi,
there's always something
enjoyable to experience at
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.
>> Mount Rushmore,
Crazy Horse, General Custer --
all names that are part of the
rich history of South Dakota,
and adding to that history
today is the
Black Hills Central Railroad.
It has the distinction of being
the oldest continually operating
tourist railway in
North America.
>> The Black Hills line
is headquartered in Hill City,
25 miles from Rapid City
in the southwestern corner
of South Dakota.
The Black Hills Central is
the living and breathing pulse
in the heart of one of America's
most historical regions.
This spur line was used for both
mining and logging,
but it also carried equipment
and expertise
to the great mountain
once known as Six Grandfathers.
The Grandfathers gave way to the
forefathers,
and the legacy was carved
in stone for four presidents
who changed the face of history.
>> During the construction
of Mount Rushmore,
the line took on a little bit
more added significance.
More folks were actually riding
into the keystone area
that were working on
the carving on the mountain,
some that were coming in
to see the construction
and the progress on the mountain
as well as hauling dynamite
and other products
that were being brought in
to do the construction.
>> In 1874,
General George Armstrong Custer
led an expedition
into the Black Hills,
which was then the land
of the Lakota Sioux Indians.
The Custer expedition and
several that followed led to the
discovery of gold and silver.
For white settlers,
this holy and spiritual place
was the land of opportunity.
>> Whoo!
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> This group loves to keep
that rich history alive.
They're members of a nearby
historical society who do
their part by dressing the part.
They're recreating the heyday
of the 1880 train
with late 19th century garb.
>> The hats, the gloves,
the purses and the boots
is an integral part
of the whole thing.
It makes the thing real to you.
It makes you feel like when
you're riding in the hills,
you're riding in the history
of the hills and with the people
that used to be there.
>> Hi, are you folks ready for
your dinner?
>> There you go!
>> Here you go, ma'am.
>> Thank you.
>> Ah, cheers.
>> These portrayers of the past
have added to the excitement
by climbing aboard this special
run through the Black Hills,
the Into the West Wine Train.
>> Excellent time, great good,
great treatment, hospitality
is fantastic,
and what an environment.
The Black Hills are beautiful.
>> In fact, the only ugly
episode was during
an unscheduled stop
thanks to some renegade robbers.
>> You come here.
>> No, I'm not going with you!
I'm not!
>> Yes, you are!
>> I'm not going!
You're going with me.
>> I'll give you something to...
>> Oh! Oh, no!
[ Screaming ]
>> Many folks get carried away
with this tribute
to the era of steam trains and
get taken back to days gone by.
>> I kind of like to go
on my imagination
and pretend I'm another person
in another time,
and it was real easy to do
on the train, and it was fun.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> The fun, though, comes at a
price -- the hard work that
keeps the 1880 train and its
three steam locomotives running.
Chief Mechanical Officer
Michael Grimm has been working
on keeping the train running
for the past 20 years.
His father and grandfather
both worked on steam engines.
>> When I was
first able to walk,
that's the only thing I remember
is working on old equipment.
>> The biggest engine
on the Black Hills line
is the number 110.
>> You guys ready?
Go ahead, boys.
>> On this day, Michael and his
crew are giving this historic
engine a major overhaul.
These men keep pulling their
weight so the steam
locomotives can keep running.
They also know that coupled with
their grime, grit, and expertise
is a responsibility
to pass along their trade
to the next generation.
>> I'm always encouraging
any young people that I can find
that are interested, you know,
to come onboard and see
what it's like, see if...
I have hopes that these
engines will be running
in another hundred years.
>> The number seven locomotive
is the face of the railroad.
You might have seen the
1926 Baldwin on the
Steven Spielberg TV mini-series,
"Into the West."
>> I think that it's wonderful
that we've had the opportunity
to bring this train back.
I mean, it was in absolutely
disrepair and no monies
or efforts were put back into
keeping the equipment going,
and we've been fortunate enough
to put a lot of money back into
restoration, and it's essential
to keep this going.
>> The 20-mile 2-hour round trip
may be short even by tourist
line standards, but keep in
mind, they don't call this
the Black Hills for nothing.
The 1880 has to climb some of
the steepest railroad grades in
North America through the
highest peaks east of the
Rockies.
>> I think this is a way of
travel, I'm sorry, that America
in general has given it up.
It's a comfortable way of
travel.
It's fun.
You get to see the scenery.
It's a little slower, a little
more social then getting in your
car and traveling with one
or two people and, you know,
that's fun and you g there
faster, but you don't have the
same camaraderie as you would
have on the train.
>> People who ride the 1880
train get a chance to toast the
land of Mount Rushmore,
General Custer, and the hallowed
hunting grounds of the
Black Hill, all while being
transported by some of
North America's vintage railcars
and historic steam locomotives.
*
>> Gorgeous Rocky Mountain
scenery, first-class rail
service, and a concert at nearly
10,000 feet.
Those are just some of the
things you'll experience on our
next railway.
Time to venture to
Southern Colorado and board
the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
>> The railway offers two
locations for you to start your
trip -- the small town of
La Veta or, on the other side
of the mountain in Alamosa.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
offers an open catalog of
experiences and rail adventures
onboard some of this country's
most historic and vintage
rail equipment.
From steam locomotives...
open-air cars...
a diesel-powered streamliner...
...to one of the most storied
railcars in the world,
all while traveling through
some of the most breathtaking
scenery in the West.
One of the best ways to feel
like you've truly stepped back
in time is to take this journey
when the railroad is operating
their 1910 steam engine.
>> Even for people who grew up
without steam -- me,
my children, my parents --
they come down in the morning,
and the steam locomotive
pulls up to pick them up
and everybody stands there
with wide eyes and you can
hear them all thinking,
"This is really cool."
>> Number 18 was originally
built to haul heavy loads of
iron ore in the Great Lakes
region and is perfectly suited
for the steep grades
of this part of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
She's been completely rebuilt
with many modern updates,
including one that helps protect
the environment.
This engine runs on 100 percent
recycled motor oil.
Still, the new technology
doesn't take away from the
powerful effect a century-old
locomotive can have.
>> It is a vehicle
taking people back in time.
It gives them a glimpse of the
past where things were simpler,
life was a little slower,
and kind of the whole
San Luis Valley here is like
that.
>> One of the best places
to absorb all the scenery
that surrounds you on this trip
is in one of the railway's
full-length dome cars.
These cars were used on trains
between Chicago, Texas,
the Grand Canyon, and the
West Coast.
>> All right, ladies,
two Reubens for you.
>> Thank you.
>> Here, passengers are able to
relive a little taste of the
past.
Only 20 of these cars were ever
built and were considered
the pinnacle of luxury
for long-distance travelers
in the 1950s.
Even today, this car opens up
some fond memories.
>> As a youngster, I've took
the trains from Chicago
to Los Angeles, and it was
one of my great experiences,
and I think they do a great
thing for our country to bring
back the fun times of the train.
>> More than a half-a-century
later, you realize that a car
that offers a front-row seat
in the Great Outdoors
never goes out of style.
>> It's intimate.
It's very elegant,
and you're able to see
the view beautifully,
almost like you're outdoors.
>> The only thing that can
get you any closer to nature
is an open-air car
like the Lookout Mountain.
>> Just take your breath away
whenever you just...
It's amazing.
It's hard --
It's hard to describe
the mountains itself.
It's hard to describe
this open air.
It's just -- You shouldn't ride
a train any other way.
>> While a trip through some of
America's most spectacular
landscapes should be enough,
the folks who run
the Rio Grande Scenic wanted to
offer something more, something
to fill your ears and feed your
soul.
*
And you'll find it at the top
of La Veta Pass in a remote
place called Fir.
>> * I'd rather see the trees
>> Each weekend during the
regular season,
the Rio Grande Scenic features
different artists with music
that complements the blue skies
and open air of the
Southern Rockies.
* They put Geronimo in jail down
South where he couldn't look *
>> Michael Martin Murphy
is a regular in the concert
series that takes place
in one of the greenest
music venues in the world.
All the electric power
comes from the wind and the sun.
>> It's kind of fun to sit up
there with the breeze, and you
can hear the wind generator in
e background perking along,
and you know you're not burning
any fuel.
We're not creating any impact
to the environment there.
*
>> One, two, three.
*
Here we go!
* Life is like a mountain
railway *
>> The only way to get to and
from Fir is by this train,
so even the performers
are onboard, and along the way,
there's always time to break out
the instruments for a jam
session in the club car,
a club car that's earned
its own place in music history.
You see, the Mardi Gras
is one of the original cars
from the city of New Orleans,
the Illinois Central train
that could get you from Chicago
to the Big Easy in a single day.
The song, the lyrics, the story
come alive as you're able
to relive that history,
but the magic that people
feel today was something
that the railroad's president,
Ed Ellis, experienced a long
time ago.
>> I rode on this car when I was
12 years old, and when I learned
to play the guitar like
Steve Goodman, who wrote the
song, I sat back here in 1968
and jammed with people on my way
to Grenada, Mississippi,
on "The City of New Orleans."
>> Ed wants other people to
share that moment, to share that
magic.
[ Cheering ]
>> This is an excursion created
by folks who realize that people
are looking for a variety of
things.
Whether it's history, music,
incredible scenery, or just a
family adventure, they want
others to live it and share it.
>> You know,
it's a special business,
and it's about creating memories
and it's about family and it's
about nostalgia, and it's about
having a good time.
>> And you go home
and tell your friends,
"Man, I just did a unique thing
I've never done before.
I rode a train to a concert.
It was fantastic.
Michael Martin Murphy
was on the train.
He came back and signed
autographs.
He jammed with us in club car."
I mean, this is a story that you
just can't get anywhere else.
Not just not on our train, you
can't get this anywhere else.
>> Nowhere else but a place
where the earth meets the sky
in Southern Colorado onboard
e Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
*
>> I TOLL YOU, LINDA, NOTHING
LIKE A CONCERT, GREAT FOOD AT
10,000 FEET IN THE COLORADO
ROCKIES.
I HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS
PROGRAM MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR
MEMBERS.
WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL BLOCK OF
PROGRAMMING COMING UP THAT WE'RE
GOING TO SHOW YOU EVERYTHING THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM HAS TO
OFFER AND THE WISCONSIN GREAT
MORE THAN.
>> WELL, I'M LINDA BERMAN AND
WE'RE WELCOMING YOU BACK TO PBS
WISCONSIN STUDIOS.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
TO CALL IN BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO
WE HAVE GREAT PROGRAMMING, WE
HAVE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS TIED
IN WITH THE RAILROADS AND WITH
THE MUSEUMS.
WITH ME IS ROB VAN CAMP, CREATOR
OF THE GG "GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY
JOURNEYS" WHICH YOU'VE BEEN
WATCHING.
>> PLEASE PICK UP THAT PHONE.
MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.
THIS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
THAT PROVIDES QUALITY SERVICES.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT BEING
AMERICAN, WE LOVE TO GIVE TO
GREAT CAUSES THAT MAKE OUR
COMMUNITIES AND OUR PEOPLE
BETTER AND WE KNOW THAT PBS
WISCONSIN DOES THAT.
SO COME ONBOARD AT ONEF O THESE
LEVELS AND STAY WITH ME BECAUSE
I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF
THE GREAT TRAIN PACKAGES.
IF YOU WANT TO DO SOME STUFF
LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY, WE'VE
GOT THAT.
$8 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP, I'VE
GOT THREE GIFTS TO CHOOSE FROM,
STARTING WITH THE SHOW YOU JUST
WATCHED ON BLU RAY AND STANDARD
DVD.
THEY ARE THE SAME PROGRAM.
YOU GET SIX BONUS RAILROADS PLUS
YOU WILL GET A SIT-DOWN
INTERVIEW WITH DAVID HOLT AND I.
YOU WANT TO GET OUR GUIDEBOOK?
THIS IS OUR DIRECTORY TO EVERY
TOURIST RAILWAY AND MUSEUM.
WE PUT THIS TOGETHER FOR YOU,
FARES, SCHEDULES, ROUTE MAPS,
PHONE NUMBERS, EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO KNOW TO PLAN YOUR NEXT
RAILWAY ADVENTURE IS RIGHT HERE
IN THIS BOOK.
THEN WE'VE GOT NEW FOR OUR
MEMBERS IS THE DOWNLOADABLE
DIRECTORY.
THIS GOES DIRECTLY ON YOUR PC,
MAC OR TABLET IF YOU WANT AND IN
THIS PACKAGE YOU'LL GET A LITTLE
WAY TO DOWNLOAD IT AND YOU'LL BE
ABLE TO GET IT RIGHT AND PUT IT
ONTO ANY OF THE DEVICES YOU
WANT.
THIS IS WHAT A TYPICAL PAGES
LOOKS LIKE.
WE HAVE TICKETS TO THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN.
USE THIS, FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
IT.
LINK DIRECTLY TO THE RAILROAD'S
WEBSITE TO SEE THE MANY VENUES,
FIND OUT WHEN THE TRAINS ARE
RUNNING.
WE ALSO INCLUDE DAY OUT WITH
THOMAS AND POLAR EXPRESS EVENTS
NATIONWIDE.
SO CONSIDER THAT AT THE LEVEL
THERE.
YOU CAN PICK ANY ONE OF THOSE
THREE.
BUT DON'T BOTHER WITH THOSE
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU
ALL THREE TOGETHER ALONG WITH
THREE GREAT TRAIN PACKAGES WHEN
YOU MAKE AN INVESTMENT OF $20
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $240.
WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU FAMILY
PASSES TO THE NATIONAL RAIL
MUSEUM, FAMILY PASSES TO THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM AND PASSES
TO GO TO THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN FOR THEIR REGULAR
TRAINS.
NOW, THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM IS
TRULY A NATIONAL GEM, A
TREASURE.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO BOB
THERE, ONE OF THE EDUCATORS,
THAT IS GOING TO TELL US ABOUT
THE MANY GREAT THINGS YOU CAN
EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU DO IT.
YOU GET TO RIDE A TRAIN.
THEY'VE GOT ROTATING EQUIPMENT
THAT COMES OUT.
YOU GET TO SEE A LOT OF THEIR
STATIC DISPLAYS.
A LOT OF HISTORY IN THIS PLACE.
THEY HAVE A VERY, VERY UNIQUE
COLLECTION.
AND THAT ENGINE RIGHT THERE HE'S
GOING TO TALK ONE.
ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC
PRESIDENTIAL ENGINES.
YOU GET TO GO THROUGH A
100-YEAR-OLD SLEEPING CAR AND
SEE HE WHAT IT WAS LIKE BACK IN
THE DAY.
WE'VE INCLUDED THE ILLINOIS RAIL
MUSEUM, NOT THAT FAR ACROSS THE
BORDER THERE TOWARD CHICAGO AND
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO RIDE ON THE
ONLY ZEPHYR IN OPERATION.
THIS THIS COMES OUT OF THE SHED.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
STEAM ENGINES, TROLLEYS.
YOU CAN SPEND A WHOLE DAY AND
NOT SEE EVERYTHING AT THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM.
I LOVE THE STREET CARS.
THAT'S WHERE IT BEGAN FOR THEM
WITH TEN FOLKS BACK IN 1953,
WANTED TO SAVE A STREETCAR.
NOW THEY'VE GOT OVER 500 IN
THEIR COLLECTION.
THE THIRD TRIP WE'RE GOING TO
INCLUDE IS ON THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY AND THIS
IS GOING TO BE THEIR REGULAR
DAYTIME TRIP FOR YOU TO TAKE
YOUR FAMILY AND GO DO THIS
BEAUTIFUL TRIP UP THROUGH THE
WOODS.
YOU GET THE BEAUTIFUL RIVERS.
THIS IS JUST REALLY OUT IN SOME
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
SO $20 SUSTAINING, $240 ONE-TIME
GIFT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET FAMILY
PASSES.
MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THESE
FAMILY PASSES IS YOU GOT SIX
KIDS, TWO ADULTS, YOU'RE GOOD.
IT'S FOR THE FAMILY.
SO DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH KIDS
YOU BRING ALONG WITH YOU.
IF THEY ARE RELATED, THEY GET TO
GO.
THAT'S FOR THE TWO MUSEUMS.
WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU
THE FAMILY FOUR-PACK.
IF YOU WANT TO EAT ON ONE OF THE
BEST DINNER TRAINS IN THE
REGION, BUMP IT UP TO A $30
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $360 AND WE'LL
GIVE YOU FOUR TICKETS TO GET ON
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN'S
DINNER TRAIN AND GIVE YOU ALL
THE THANK YOU GIFTS AT THE $96
LEVEL.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL TRIP.
IT'S THE SAME DAY TIME TRIP THAT
YOU GET TO DO WITH THE KIDS IF
YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, ALONG WITH
THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY YOU'RE
GOING TO GET A GORGEOUS
FOUR-COURSE MEAL.
YOU GET TO LIVE LIKE IT WAS.
GET UP AND HAVE A DRINK AT THE
BAR.
MEET NEW PEOPLE.
I LOVE THE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE OF
DINNER TRAINS AND TRAINS IN
GENERAL.
YOU DON'T TALK TO A PERSON NEXT
TO YOU FOR FIVE HOURS ON A
FLIGHT, BUT YOU WILL START
TALKING TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THE
TRAINS.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL TRIP.
THEY'VE HE GOT MUSIC, A
LAID-BACK ATMOSPHERE, BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY.
YOU WILL LOVE THIS PACKAGE.
IF YOU'VE GOT AN ANNIVERSARY OR
BIRTHDAY COMING UP, THAT VERY
SPECIAL PERSON, THIS IS THE BEST
DINNER YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE
TO PRESENT TO THEM.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR GIFT
HELPS SUPPORT ALL THE GREAT
PROGRAMMING HERE AT PBS
WISCONSIN.
WOULDN'T BE MADE POSSIBLE WASN'T
FOR OUR CURRENT MEMBERS.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT, BECOMING A NEW
MEMBER OR RENEWING THAT.
EVERY TIME THAT PHONE RINGS, YOU
MAKE THAT CLICK ON PBS
WISCONSIN, YOU ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT THIS GREAT
NETWORK.
AND AT OUR TOP LEVEL, IF YOU
CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND AND YOU
WANT THEM ALL, ALONG WITH A
BUNCH OF EXCLUSIVE THANK YOU
GIFTS, $35 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
OR ONE-TIME GIFT OF $420, FOUR
DINNER TRAIN TICKETS, THE FAMILY
PASSES TO MUSEUMS, DVD,
GUIDEBOOK, COMPUTER DIRECTORY
PLUS THE CREW CAP.
WE'LL THROW IN OUR ANNIVERSARY
DRINK TUMBLER AND TOTE BAG AND A
BUNCH OF FILMING IMAGES ON.
FOLKS, CONSIDER MAKING THAT
INVESTMENT TODAY.
I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON WITH A
SPECIAL GUEST.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT DINNER
TRAIN.
>> ROBERT, THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, YOU SAID THAT WHEN YOU
START OUT, YOU MAY BE A
STRANGER, BUT YOU BECOME
FRIENDS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A VOLUME HERE --
VOLUNTEER HERE, TOOK HER MOTHER,
STRANGERS, BY THE THE END OF THE
TRIP, BEST FRIENDS.
HOW OFTEN DO PEOPLE RUN IF
PEOPLE GET THIS PACKAGE?
WHEN CAN THEY GO?
>> TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY ALL
YEAR ROUND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S WEEK.
>> SO IT'S A FULL YEAR YOU HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS.
NOT ONLY DO YOU GET THE DINNER.
I ASSUME YOU ALSO GET A HAT.
>> A HAT, A T-SHIRT AS WELL IN
THAT PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGE.
ONE THING I KNOW QUESTIONS COME
UP THIS EVENING, YOU MAY USE
YOUR CERTIFICATE AND UPGRADE TO
OUR BED AND BREAKFAST PACKAGE OR
UPGRADE TO ONE OF OUR OTHER
TRAINS AS WELL.
>> SO THE BED AND BREAKFAST
MEANS YOU GET THE DINNER.
>> AND STAY OVER ON THE TRAIN.
>> THIS IS A REAL EXPERIENCE.
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN
YOU CALL AND YOU GET EITHER THE
$30 SUSTAINER OR THE $35
SUSTAINER, FOR THE DINNER, YOU
GET A COMPLETE DINNER AND THE
HAT AND YOU GET -- OR A T-SHIRT.
SO THE IDEA IS YOU'RE CALLING AT
1-800-236-3636 TO GET ONE OF OUR
SPECIALS.
SPECIAL THANK YOUS AND ROBERT IS
GOING TO TELL YOU SOME MORE
ABOUT THAT.
>> I'LL TELL YOU, WE HE GOT ANOTHER
SPECIAL FRIEND OF MINE.
NICK, I ENJOYED INTERVIEWING
YOU.
IN THAT 1918 FAMILY CAR.
ONE OF THOSE PRESIDENTIAL
BUSINESS CARS, THERE'S SO MUCH
THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SHOW IN
THAT VIDEO THAT WE'DE LOV TO
COME BACK.
I COULD DO AN HOUR PLUS ON YOUR
PEOPLE AND WHAT NOT.
BUT YOU REALLY HAVE A VERY
SPECIAL PLACE.
SO, FOLKS, REMEMBER, IN THOSE
PACKAGES YOU GET THE ILLINOIS
RAIL MUSEUM WHERE YOU CAN MEET
NICK AND HIS VOLUNTEERS, THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM AND TICKETS
TO THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
TELL PEOPLE A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT
THEY'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S THE ZEPHYR.
>> RIGHT.
>> THIS IS JUST AMAZING.
YOU GET TO SEE IT, RIDE IT, BUT
YOU'RE ALWAYS ROTATING EQUIPMENT
IN AND OUT.
>> WE ARE, WE ARE.
WE HAVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN
WE'LL BRING OUT STUFF THAT
NORMALLY DOESN'T COME OUT.
WE'RE SEEING OBVIOUSLY THE STEAM
TRAIN AND THE ZEPHYR.
BUT THESE PIECES THAT YOU SEE
HERE COMING OUT OF THE BARN,
THOSE ARE PIECES THAT COME OUT
FOR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
AND PEOPLE CAN RIDE THEM.
AND SOME PEOPLE ARE FROM THE
AREA WHERE THEY USED TO RUN.
LIKE WE HAD A STREETCAR FROM
MILWAUKEE.
WELL, IT WAS PRETTY AMAZING HOW
MANY PEOPLE WANTED TO RIDE A
STREETCAR FROM MILWAUKEE, YOU
KNOW?
AND SO WE'VE GOT A VERY
COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION, OVER
500 OF THEM.
>> I'VE BEEN SAYING 400 FOR A
LONG TIME, BUT I WAS CORRECTED.
YOU JUST SURPASSED 500 PIECES OF
HISTORY.
WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK WITH NICK
HERE IN OUR LAST BREAK AFTER WE
SEE A SEGMENT.
LET'S TALK WITH BOB AND LINDA
ABOUT THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
>> I'M WITH BOB, WHO IS THE
EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM IN
GREEN BAY.
NOW, BESIDES TRAINS, WHAT ELSE
DO YOU HAVE?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW IN RAILROADING
WE LOOK AT NOT ONLY THE PIECES
OF EQUIPMENT HISTORY, BUT WE RAN
ART THAT WAS ON THE RAILROADS.
MUSIC.
THINKS OFTHINK OF ALL THE SONGS THAT HAV
TRAINS IN IT.
MATH AND SCIENCE.
A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE JUST
DOING MATH PROBLEMS OUT OF THE
BOOK.
>> NOT AS MUCH FUN.
>> NO.
BUT WHEN WE CAN PUT TRAINS IN AS
A BACKGROUND, DO YOUR ALGEBRA,
SO MUCH MORE FUN.
OTHER THING WE LIKE TO DO WITH
KIDS, BUILD SOMETHING.
AERODYNAMICS.
WHAT'S THE NEXT HIGH-SPEED TRAIN
GOING TO LOOK LIKE?
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BIG BOY
AND THE EISENHOWER.
THE EISENHOWER IS THE TRAIN THAT
--
>> GENERAL EISENHOWER USED THIS
TRAIN PRIOR TO D-DAY AND AFTER
THE INVASION AND ONCE THE
BEACHHEAD WAS SECURED, THE TRAIN
WENT OVER FOR THE MARCH IN
BERLIN.
IT WAS MADE TO THANK EISENHOWER.
>> THERE'S SO MANY GREAT STORIES
FOR YOU.
AND TO CONTINUE THESE STORIES
AND HOW YOU CAN HEAR AND SEE
MORE, HERE'S ROBERT.
>> I TELL YOU, FOLKS, WE'RE
GOING TO GO TO THIS CON OR CON ENCORE
PRESENTATION.
LET'S RECAP THOSE LEVELS ONE
MORE TIME, FOLKS.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.
MAKE THAT VOTE OF SUPPORT TO PBS
WISCONSIN.
WE'LL THROW IN THE DVD BLU RAY.
HOW ABOUT THAT GUIDEBOOK, GREAT
WAY FOR YOU TO FIND ALL THE
RAILROADS.
HOW ABOUT THE COMPUTER DIRECTORY
LINKING TO ALL THE MANY WEBSITES
OF THESE HISTORIC RAILROADS.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY ARE THESE
TRAIN PACKAGES AT OUR PASSENGER
LEVEL.
$20 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP, THE
FAMILY PASSES TO GO TO THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM, NATIONAL
RAIL MUSEUM, WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN PLUS ALL THOSE THANK
YOU GIFTS.
THEN WE'VE GOT OUR NEXT LEVEL IS
THE DINNER TRAIN PACKAGE IF YOU
WANT TO DO THAT.
BUT THIS IS THE LEVEL MOST OF
YOU ARE COMING ONBOARD.
$35 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $420, THE FOUR
DINNER TRAIN TICKETS, TWO ADULTS
AND AS MANY KIDS AS YOU WANT TO
GO TO THE MUSEUMS.
THEN ALL THOSE GREAT THANK YOU
GIFTS YOU SEE THERE.
NOW, FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO GO
INTO THIS LAST BLOCK.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE EVERYTHING
YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE AT THOSE
RAILROADS AND WE'LL HAVE ONE
MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO MAKE
THAT PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.
>> VOLUNTEERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
THE BACKBONE OF OUR TOURIST
RAILWAYS AND RAILWAY MUSEUMS.
OUR NEXT LOCATION HAS AN ARMY OF
OVER 200.
THEY HELP RESTORE AND OPERATE
THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF RAIL
EQUIPMENT IN NORTH AMERICA.
NEXT STOP: THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY
MUSEUM.
THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED ABOUT AN
HOUR'S DRIVE NORTHWEST OF
CHICAGO, OUTSIDE THE TINY
FARMING COMMUNITY OF UNION.
[MUSIC]
[TRAIN CHUGGING, TRAIN HORN]
IN AN OLD CORNFIELD, FIVE
MINUTES EAST OF TOWN, SITS A
MUSEUM THAT HOLDS OVER 460
PIECES OF RAILROAD HISTORY.
IT ENCOMPASSES 280 ACRES, WITH
TEN HUGE STORAGE BARNS AND
NEARLY FIVE MILES OF WORKING
TRACK.
IT'S ONE BIG TRAIN SET!
THE BACKDROP TO EIGHT HOLLYWOOD
MOVIES SO FAR.
AND IT'S A SIGHT TO BEHOLD,
ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM ALL
AROUND THE GLOBE TO SEE ITS
COLLECTION, ALONG WITH MANY
VOLUNTEERS, LIKE JEFF FRYMAN, TO
HELP PRESENT IT ALL.
>> YOU HAVE AUTHORITY FOR A 2:55
DEPARTURE EASTBOUND TO
KISHWAUKEE GROVE.
>> HIS DUTIES TODAY?
DISPATCHER, ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT JOBS HERE.
PERCHED 30 FEET UP IN A CONTROL
TOWER, 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 FOR
EVERYONE TO SEE IN THIS
PARTICULAR POCKET OF THE
COUNTRY, THAT WAS NO
COINCIDENCE.
>> TO BRING A LIVE 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 SERANICK KNOWS.
HE GREW UP IN NORTH CHICAGO AND
RODE STREETCARS 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 SAVED CHICAGO
STREETCAR."
AND I SAID, "WHERE DO I SIGN?"
[STREETCAR WHISTLE]
>> AND FRANK'S BEEN HERE
VOLUNTEERING EVER SINCE.
HE'S FAR FROM ALONE.
A FLEET OF YOUNG AND OLD
VOLUNTEER AT THE ILLINOIS
RAILWAY MUSEUM.
GENERATIONS MAY SEPARATE THEM,
LIFE EXPERIENCES, TOO, BUT THEY
ALL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON: A
PASSION FOR TRAINS.
[TRAIN BELL CLANGS]
>> VOLUNTEERS LIKE FRANK MAY
HAVE LIT THE TORCH, BUT A NEW
GENERATION IS CARRYING IT
FORWARD.
>> WE ALL SHARE THE SAME
INTERESTS, I THINK, PLAYS INTO
IT.
YOU KNOW, WE GET TO PLAY AROUND
ON THESE BIG OLD MACHINES, WHICH
I THINK IT'S A PROBABLY GOOD
PART OF IT.
BECAUSE WE JOKE, LIKE,
THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MUSEUM:
HERE IN THE STEAM LAND, WE GET
-- WE'RE THE BOYS WITH THE BIG
TOYS.
>> YELL, ANYONE, IF YOU SEE ANY
ANY PART FOULING.
>> VOLUNTEER NIGEL BENNETT IS
THE PROFESSOR OF THE STEAM ROOM,
AND HE KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF
REHABILITATING THE IRON AND
STEEL HISTORY OF AMERICA.
BUT WHAT HE LOVES MOST IS
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 TO DONE TODAY.
WELL DONE, GUYS!
>> THE ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
STARTED IN 1953 AS A DREAM OF 10
MEN, AND TODAY THE DREAM HAS
BLOSSOMED INTO A MUSEUM
DIFFERENT FROM ANY YOU'LL
EXPERIENCE.
[MUSIC]
[DOORS ROLLING OPEN]
[TRAIN CHUFFING]
>> THE LARGEST PIECE IN THE
COLLECTION: A STAINLESS STEEL
MASTERPIECE OF RAILROADING
HISTORY, ONE THAT THE GENERAL
PUBLIC CAN TAKE A JOURNEY ON.
>> FOLKS, WELCOME TO NEBRASKA
ZEPHYR.
THE OBSERVATION CAR IS UP AND TO
YOUR LEFT, PLEASE.
[TRAIN BELL RINGING]
[HORN BLOWING]
>> THIS IS THE TRAIN OF THE
GODDESSES, THE NEBRASKA ZEPHYR.
IT ONCE RAN BETWEEN CHICAGO AND
OMAHA, NEBRASKA FROM 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 THIS
TRAIN ON THE OUTSIDE, 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, ENTHUSIASM IS
CONTAGIOUS AT THE ILLINOIS
RAILWAY MUSEUM.
YOU CAN FEEL IT.
RAY WERT SURE DOES.
HE'S PILOTING THE ZEPHYR TODAY,
AND, LIKE MANY VOLUNTEERS HERE,
HE TAKES PRIDE IN WHAT THEY'VE
ACCOMPLISHED.
>> YOU KNOW, WITHOUT ALL OF US
DOING ALL OF WHAT WE DO, THE
MUSEUM WOULD NOT FUNCTION.
THIS EQUIPMENT WOULDN'T RUN.
EVERYTHING WOULD BE STATIONARY.
YOU'D JUST GO AND LOOK AT IT AND
GO HOME.
IT'S A LOT MORE FUN TO GET ON
THESE OLD PIECES OF EQUIPMENT,
RUN THEM, AND THE PUBLIC ENJOYS
RIDING THESE OLD TRAINS BECAUSE
THERE'S NO PLACE ELSE YOU CAN DO
IT.
>> SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT 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 PERSEVERANCE
OF STICKING IT OUT.
SO I THINK THE KEY TO OUR
SUCCESS IS OUR PEOPLE.
>> I THANK THEM, AND THIS IS AN
INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS AND THIS AREA.
I REALLY AM GRATEFUL THAT I CAN
COME HERE AND SEE THIS WITH MY
SONS.
[TRAIN BELL RINGS]
[TRAIN HORN BLOWS]
>> 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 TO STEEL
RAILS.
THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE CREATED A
MUSEUM THAT'S AS BEAUTIFUL AS A
GRANT WOOD PAINTING: STARK,
STRONG, AND COLORFUL.
IT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR
COUNTRY'S INTELLECTUAL
HORSEPOWER AND THE PASSION OF
THE 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.
>> When you think of
a traditional bed-and-breakfast,
most people envision
a beautiful country home
or historic inn, not a train.
Well, the Great Wisconsin
Northern Railroad will change
your mind about that because
they've created the ultimate B&B
on the rails today.
To board this overnight
adventure, we need to head
to the railroad depot in
Trego, Wisconsin, just outside
the town of Spooner.
"All aboard!" would be an
unusual welcome in almost any
B&B across the country, but
along the tracks of this
railroad, it feels just right.
>> What makes the Wisconsin
Great Northern Railroad
different from other tourist
railroads is our wide variety of
services, our specialty
services.
We have the only
bed-and-breakfast train in the
country.
>> Dining, lounge, and sleeping
cars bring back fond memories
of America's railroading past.
Owners Greg and Mardell Vreeland
work hard to preserve
this experience for train lovers
of today and tomorrow.
>> We have acquired a variety
of cars over the past few years,
and we have worked to restore
them so that our guests get the
feel of what it's like to ride
on a streamline passenger train
in the 1950s.
[ Train whistle blows ]
>> On board the beautifully
restored Pullman Fleet,
passengers journey miles up
the Great Northern Railroad and
decades back in time.
For some passengers,
the train ride evokes rich
personal memories.
>> My grandfather was an
engineer on this line.
He came here from Chicago
in the late 1800s to work on the
railroad, so definitely there's
a lot of history here.
>> I used to work on this line
back in the '60s,
and it's real nice
to be back on the trains again.
>> It was truly a simpler time,
but there's nothing simple
about recreating the old rail
experience.
Since the very beginning,
the Vreelanders have worked
as a team to keep
the Spooner Train on track.
>> Greg and I have worked
together from Day 1.
I have a number of friends
that said, "There's no way
I could work with my husband,"
and I'm the opposite.
I can't fathom not working with
him.
>> Their teamwork has yielded
truly amazing results.
Now, you'd be hard-pressed
to find a more scenic route
through the glory years
of luxury rail travel.
>> We're very fortunate
to have a track that goes
along the Namekagon River.
The government, about 40 years
ago, turned it into scenic
parkway, all protected for about
40 miles of the river.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, you
might wonder why we're stopping
here.
Well, we will be having dinner
here, and this is the most
scenic part of our trip.
>> Here we go, guys, a steak
and a shrimp...
>> Steak right here.
>> Steak for you.
Shrimp for you.
>> Thank you.
*
>> First-class dining isn't just
about preparing a delicious
meal.
It's also about atmosphere
and timing.
>> I think it could've been like
a movie set.
I mean, I don't know who dialed
in the sunset at just the right
time.
The food was delicious,
served prompt, warm.
I mean, it's quite an
accomplishment, I think, for
what they do for this number of
people to bring it out like
that.
>> The Spooner train has
something for just about
everyone.
Folks who can't stay the night
enjoy the food, drink, and
ambiance of the 3-hour dinner
train service, and for the kids,
the pizza train is a huge hit.
>> Our pizza train is one of
our most popular and one of our
favorites with the children.
They get really excited because
when they're about
3 or 4 years old, they love
trains, and everyone loves
pizza.
Sometimes they can hardly stand
still, they're so excited, and
it's fun.
It's a lot of fun.
>> Trains and pizza --
a combination that any youngster
can embrace.
The scenic route offers plenty
of time for family fun and time
to explore the beauty of
Northern Wisconsin.
>> As we were riding the train,
we talked about all the
different things that we're
seeing, the different kinds of
trees, the number of times that
the horn honked, and they got to
eat sausage and cheese pizza and
have soda, so they're having a
blast.
>> Yes, the pizza train is just
the ticket for many young
families, but if you're looking
to experience the unique thrill
of staying overnight on a fully
operational Pullman Coach,
Spooner's first-class cabin
is a plush, decadent option.
>> Diane Marie, our first-class
car, business car.
We've got three bedrooms.
Each bedroom has a shower
and a bathroom in it.
We've got a lounge, a formal
lounge in it, with couches and
chairs where you can relax.
It's got the platform on the end
just like the presidents
gave their speeches from,
and you can get out there
and talk all you want, you know.
Beautiful.
>> You may feel a bit
presidential looking out
from the first-class
rear platform,
but don't worry if you're not
much of a public speaker.
Today, this is simply a spot
to reflect, relax, and, if
you're lucky, watch the sunset
across the wooded horizon.
>> It was just gorgeous,
and we got to stay there
for a little bit to enjoy
the scenery and just see
the beautiful sunset.
It was just amazing.
For our 21st anniversary,
it was a really great idea,
a moment we won't forget.
>> The perfect end to a perfect
day, but for the Lessers and
their new friends, the trip
isn't over just yet.
>> Good morning,
Mr. and Mrs. Lesser.
>> Good morning.
>> Here is your breakfast.
>> Thank you.
>>njoy.
>> Looks delicious.
>> After all, the Spooner train
is a bed and breakfast.
They awake to one more delicious
meal, one more unforgettable
memory.
With 19 bedrooms, a luxury
lounge, and beautiful dining
cars, the Spooner train is the
perfect ticket for a relaxing
weekend getaway.
>> What we offer is absolutely
unique in this country, and I
think that that's the big draw.
It's something that, for a lot
of people, it's a bucket-list
kind of situation.
>> A trip on the Wisconsin
Great Northern Railroad leaves
you refreshed, relaxed, and with
a big smile on your face.
>> Cheers.
>> Cheers to the same new
friends.
>> Hey!
>> Cheers.
>> CHEERS.
I'M LINDA BERMAN, A VOLUNTEER
HERE.
TELL US WHAT WE CAN GET WITH OUR
TICKETS NOW.
>> IF YOU WANT TO GO RIDE THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN ON
THEIR DAY TRIP AND GO TO THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM AND
NATIONAL MUSEUM, THIS IS YOUR
LAST OPPORTUNITY.
$20 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP, WE'RE
GOING TO PUT YOU ON ALL OF THOSE
VENUES, FAMILY PASSES TO THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM, FAMILY
PASSES TO THE ILLINOIS RAIL
MUSEUM AND FOUR TICKETS FOR THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN DAY
TIME TRIP, OUR SHOW DVD BLU RAY,
THE GUIDEBOOK, THE DOWNLOADABLE
COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
IF YOU WANT TO DO THE DINNER
TRAIN, COME UP TO $30 SUSTAINING
MEMBER
MEMBERSHIP, YOU WILL GET FOUR
TICKETS TO ENJOY WHAT YOU JUST
SAW THERE, PLUS YOU GET ALL THE
THANK YOU GIFTS THAT YOU SEE ON
THE RIGHT.
AT OUR TOP LEVEL, FOLKS, THIS IS
THE ONE THAT MOST OF YOU ARE
COMING ON, $35 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP FOR A ONE-TIME GIFT
OF $420, FOUR TICKETS, FAMILY
PASSES TO THE MUSEUMS, THE SHOW
DVD, BLU RAY, DVD, GUIDEBOOK AND
EXTRA ITEMS, THE HAT, THE TOTE
BAG AND THAT ANNIVERSARY DRINK
TUMBLER.
COME CELEBRATE PBS WISCONSIN AND
ALL THE GREAT PROGRAMMING YOU
GET.
YOU GOT A FULL YEAR TO REDEEM
THESE VOUCHERS, FOLKS.
THIS IS OUR LAST BREAK, YOUR
LAST OPPORTUNITY.
GET ON THAT PHONE.
>> IT STARTS NOW, 1-800-236-3636
1-800-236-3636.
OR pbswisconsin.org.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO CALL IN NOW TO
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE AMAZING
TRAIN PACKAGES.
>> COME ONBOARD, BECOME A
MEMBER.
NOW, WE DO HAVE OUR BASE LEVELS.
I JUST WANT TO EXPLAIN THESE
LOWER LEVELS, LIKE THE SHOW DVD
BLU RAY SET, $8 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP A MONTH, WE'LL GET
YOU THIS SET OF THE PROGRAM WITH
EXTRA RAILROADS IN IT, BONUS
FOOTAGE.
HOW ABOUT THAT GUIDEBOOK, A
COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO EVERY
RAILWAY AND MUSEUM.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE PUT
TOGETHER FOR YOU.
WE DO NOT SELL ANY OF THESE
THANK YOU GIFTS TO THE GENERAL
PUBLIC.
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET THEM IS
BY MAKING THAT DONATION OF
SUPPORT AND GO AHEAD AND GET
THESE TO YOU.
HOW ABOUT THAT COMPUTER
DIRECTORY?
A LOT OF YOU WANT TO FIND THESE
ON YOUR TABLET, COMPUTER, PC.
WE'VE GOT THIS.
IT DOWNLOADS DIRECTLY TO THAT
DEVICE.
YOU CAN PICK ANY STATE, ANY
PROVINCE.
YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN,
ALL THEIR INFORMATION IS IN
THERE.
THE MUSEUMS.
OVER 500 LOCATIONS ARE ON THIS
DIRECTORY, 500 LINKS TO THE
WEBSITES OF EACH ONE WITH OF
THEIR LOCATIONS.
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS, POLAR
EXPRESS.
A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO GO OUT
AND FIND ALL THESE HERITAGE
RAILROADS THROUGHOUT NORTH
AMERICA.
THESE THANK YOU GIFTS ARE
EXCLUSIVE.
IF YOU WANT TO PICK ANY ONE OF
THOSE THREE, ONGOING $8
SUSTAINING.
IF YOU WANT TO GET THOSE GIFTS
AND BUNDLE IN THE FAMILY PACKS
TO GO TO THE MUSEUMS AND THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN, THAT
IS GOING TO BE AT OUR $20
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OR
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $240.
YOU'LL GET THAT PACKAGE THERE.
PHONES ARE REALLY PICKING UP.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM ABOUT 25
MORE VOTES DURING THIS BREAK,
ABOUT SIX, SEVEN MINUTES LEFT.
HELP US MAKE OUR GOAL DURING
THIS BROADCAST.
AND THE NEXT LEVEL IS THAT
DINNER TRAIN PACKAGE WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT.
THIS IS JUST A GREAT WAY FOR YOU
TO GO OUT THERE.
LET'S SHOW HE THAT THAT DINNER TRAIN
FOOTAGE IF WE CAN.
$30 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND
YOUR DONATION IS GOING TO GIVE
YOU ULTIMATE DINNER TRAIN
PACKAGE TO GO ON THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ALL FOUR
TICKETS, GOOD FOR A FULL YEAR,
ALSO ALL THE THANK YOU GIFTS YOU
SEE THERE ON THE RIGHT.
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TRIP.
AND THEN AGAIN AT THE TOP LEVEL
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ALL THE
DINNER TRAIN TICKETS, ALL THE
FAMILY PASSES, ALL THE FAMILY
PASSES TO THE MUSEUMS AND ALL
THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS INCLUDING
THE TOTE BAG, DRINK TUMBLER AND
THE CREW CAP.
FOLKS, LAST OPPORTUNITY.
WE ONLY GOT A COUPLE MORE
MINUTES LEFT IN THIS BREAK.
BE ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE THAT CALL IN DURING THIS
GREAT FESTIVAL THAT WE HAVE
CELEBRATING WISCONSIN PBS.
BECOME A PART OF THE PROCESS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THAT KEEPS THIS GREAT NETWORK
ON THE AIR.
YOU KNOW, YOU AND I KNOW PUBLIC
TELEVISION WAS CREATED WELL OVER
60 YEARS AGO BY CITIZENS OF THIS
GREAT NATION.
WE OWN THIS NETWORK.
YOU THE CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN
AND SURROUNDING STATES.
>> YES.
IT INCLUDES MEMBERS FROM
ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN AND, OF
COURSE, WE HAVE IOWA AND
MINNESOTA.
YES, YES, YES.
>> AND, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK
ABOUT ALL THESE GREAT PACKAGES,
FOLKS, ESPECIALLY YOU ON THE
BORDER OF MINNESOTA, YOU'RE VERY
CLOSE TO THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
IT'S ONLY A COUPLE HOURS OF THE
TWIN CITIES.
YOU'LL REALLY LOVE THOSE
LOCATIONS.
SO COME CELEBRATE YOUR PUBLIC
TELEVISION STATION, WISCONSIN
PBS.
MAKE THAT INVESTMENT TODAY.
SIT BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR
KNOWING YOU'VE DONE YOUR PART
WHEN IT COMES TO THESE GREAT
TICKETS.
SO PLEASE MAKE THAT INVESTMENT
NOW.
THE PHONES ARE RINGING.
THE OTHER THING I THINK IS
IMPORTANT, A LOT OF YOU MAY BE
RECORDING THIS TO GO BACK AND
WATCH IT.
THEY'RE GOING, LINDA, I MISSED
MY OPPORTUNITY.
YOU DIDN'T.
THIS IS YOUR LAST BREAK, BUT IF
YOU WRITE THAT PHONE NUMBER DOWN
AND YOU WANT TO CALL US TOMORROW
OR GO ONLINE ANYTIME, WE WILL
STILL GUARANTEE YOU THE TICKETS
IF YOU TELL THEM.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
1-800-236-3636 OR
pbswisconsin.org.
WE ALSO -- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN
RECAPPING ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL
THANK YOU GIFTS FOR PEOPLE WHEN
THEY CALL IN FOR TICKETS TO
THESE GREAT THINGS.
WE'VE ALSO HAD VERY SPECIAL
GUESTS WHO HAVE HELPED US
TONIGHT.
>> WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SPECIAL
GUESTS.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO THEM.
BUT I WANT TO RECAP -- LET'S SEE
IF WE CAN PULL THAT DINNER TRAIN
FOOTAGE UP.
SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE OF
THAT FOOTAGE WITH THE WISCONSIN
GREAT NORTHERN.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'RE
OFFERING IT, FOR YOU TO GO UP
THERE AND SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE
ROMANCE OF DINING ON THE RAILS.
TAKE A LOVED ONE UP THERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET FOUR TICKETS
TO ENJOY THIS GORGEOUS SCENERY.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GORGEOUS
SCENERY IN THE BAR.
IT'S THE ATMOSPHERE.
YOU GET RELAXED.
IT'S FAMILY TIME, FELLOWSHIP,
GREAT FOOD.
THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB PUTTING
THIS DINNER TRAIN TOGETHER FOR
YOU TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE.
MOST OF US COUNT OUR BIRTHDAYS
EVERY YEAR.
THIS IS A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY.
>> A SPECIAL CELEBRATION.
>> OR YOU GOT FRIENDS IN TOWN,
YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM WHAT A
GREAT STATE YOU LIVE IN UP HERE
IN WISCONSIN.
SO THINK ABOUT THAT.
AGAIN, THAT IS AT OUR $30
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP.
WE'RE GOING TOth AND GET TO GET YOU TICK
TO RIDE THAT TRAIN.
THESE VOUCHERS ARE GOOD TO THE
END OF 2021.
>> BECAUSE THE TRAINS ARE
RUNNING, EACH OF THESE PLACES,
AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
OBVIOUSLY, THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN IS RUNNING EVERY DAY
TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
BUT FOR SOME OF THE TRAINS, IT'S
MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.
SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO
GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE YOUR
FAMILY AND GO.
>> WE KNOW A LOT OF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.
YES, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO THESE
LOCATIONS TO EXPERIENCE THEM.
THEY ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE.
THE MUSEUMS WILL TAKE CARE OF
YOU ON THAT.
SO THINK ABOUT THAT.
AGAIN, LET'S SHOW THAT TOP LEVEL
REAL QUICKLY AGAIN.
AT THE $420 ONE-TIME GIFT,
THAT'S OUR ULTIMATE PACKAGE.
AND THESE DOLLARS GO SO FAR HERE
AND YOUR INVESTMENT TO PBS
WISCONSIN.
FOUR TICKETS TO THE DINNER
TRAIN, TWO ADULTS AND AS MANY
KIDS ARE IN YOUR BROOD YOU CAN
BRING TO THE THE MUSEUMS WITH
YOU.
THEN YOU GET THE TOTE BAG, THE
DRINK TUMBLER, THE CREW CAP, THE
SHOW DVD BLU RAY SET, GUIDEBOOK
AND COMPUTER DIRECTORY.
SO YOU'VE GOT ALL YOUR SHOPPING
DONE, PUT ALL THOSE ITEMS IN THE
TOTE BAG.
ANYBODY THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR
FAMILY THAT LOVES TRAINS IN ANY
FORM OR FASHION, YOU'VE GOT ALL
YOUR GIFTS DONE FOR THEM, NO
MATTER WHAT THE GIFT IS FOR,
CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS.
>> BUT IT'S A GIFT THAT KEEPS
GIVING.
IT'S EDUCATIONAL AND IT'S
ENTERTAINING AND ALSO YOU'RE
LEARNING HISTORY AND YOU'RE
PARTICIPATING.
YOU'RE PARTICIPATING IN LIVE
HISTORY.
>> IT IS.
THAT'S ONE I THING LOVE ABOUT
THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM, THE
ILLINOIS RAIL MUSEUM AND THE
WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN.
THEY LOVE TO PRESERVE OUR
RAILWAY HERITAGE.
BUT WHEN YOU MAKE THAT PLEDGE OF
SUPPORT, YOU'RE CONTINUING THE
MISSION HERE AT PBS WISCONSIN SO
WE CAN CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU ALL
THE GREAT PROGRAMMING.
"GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS"
IS JUST ONE SLICE OF THE PIE IN
THE 360 DEGREES OF PROGRAMMING
YOU GET IN DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
LET ME RECAP THESE PACKAGES FOR
YOU RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE GOING
TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.
LET'S GET THAT FOOTAGE CUED UP
ONE MORE TIME OF ALL THE TRAINS.
THAT'S BRAKEMAN LEVEL RIGHT NOW,
IF WE CAN.
LET'S DO THAT.
$240.
A LOT OF YOU ARE COMING ONBOARD
BECAUSE YOU GET THREE GREAT
FAMILY ADVENTURES HERE AT THE
MUSEUMS AND THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN.
YOU GET THE THANK YOU GIFTS WE
SEE THERE ON THE RIGHT.
LET'S SHOW THIS QUICKLY SO I CAN
DESCRIBE THIS ONE LAST TIME FOR
YOU.
THE NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
I CALL IT OUR NATIONAL GEM.
THE HISTORY AND THE KIND OF
EQUIPMENT AND THE ROLLING STOCK
AND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
THEY PRESENT ARE UNBELIEVABLE.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR KIDS
ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO JUMP ON
A TRAIN AND RIDE AROUND THEIR
COMPLEX.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL AREA THERE FOR
YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND
EXPERIENCE IT.
BUT GOING INSIDE AND SEE THE
LARGEST LOCOMOTIVE EVERY BUILT,
THE EISENHOWER, FAMOUS TRAIN
THAT WAS USED OVER IN EUROPE
DURING WORLD WAR II, TO WALK
INTO A 100-YEAR-OLD SLEEPING CAR
AND SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE AND TO
GO INTO THEIR MANY DISPLAYS
WITHIN THEIR COMPLEX,
UNBELIEVABLE.
THIS PLACE, I LOVE THE ILLINOIS
RAIL MUSEUM.
TO GO THERE, OVER 500 PIECES OF
ROLLING STOCK.
YOU GET STEAM ENGINES.
YOU GET ALL THIS GREAT STUFF
WHEN YOU GO AND RIDE AND
EXPERIENCE IT.
TO GO IN A PLACE TO SEE STEAM,
DIESEL, ELECTRIC, ALL OPERATING
AT THE SAME TIME AND YOU GET TO
RIDE IT AND GO THROUGH THE BARNS
AND READ ALL THE HISTORY AND SEE
ALL THESE TROLSIES TROLLEYS AND RIDE
THEM, THIS IS JUST STEPPING BACK
IN TIME.
TEN GUYS, 1953, THEY WERE TRYING
TO SAVE ONE CAR.
NOW THEY'RE THE LARGEST
OPERATING COLLECTION IN NORTH
AMERICA.
AND THEN YOU'VE GOT, OF COURSE,
THE WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN,
WHERE YOU CAN GO UP AND
EXPERIENCE THE GOLDEN AGE OF
RAILROADING WITH YOUR FAMILY ON
MANY LEVELS, FROM THEIR PIZZA
TRAINS, ALL THESE VA VARIETY OF
TRAINS.
WE ALSO HAVE DINNER TRAIN
PACKAGES.
SO AT THAT $420 INVESTMENT,
FOLKS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET
EVERYTHING I JUST SHOWED YOU
WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
RIDE THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN, DO THEIR DINNER TRAIN,
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THOSE FAMILY
PASSES AND THE FAMILY PASSES,
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
THIS IS LIKE THE GREATEST
PACKAGE IN THE GREATEST AREA OF
THE COUNTRY FOR YOU TO GO
EXPERIENCE RAILROADING.
YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN EVERY
FACET FROM ALL THREE OF THESE
LOCATIONS OF RIDING TRAINS AND
THE HISTORICAL EQUIPMENT.
IT'S JUST A WEALTH OF
INFORMATION.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE SHOW
DVD, BLU RAY, TBIED BOOK.
NEXT LEVEL, THAT DINNER TRAIN
PACKAGE AT $30 SUSTAINING
MEMBERSHIP.
THEN AGAIN AT THAT $420 WE ARE
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET YOU
THAT PACKAGE TO ALL OF THEM WITH
ALL THOSE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS.
AGAIN, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE
WORKED DURING THIS BROADCAST IF
IT WASN'T FOR OBVIOUSLY YOU OUR
MEMBERS OUT THERE, BUT WE GOT
THREE GREAT GUESTS THAT HAVE
COME GREAT DISTANCES TO SIT
THERE AND TELL US ABOUT THEIR
GREAT LOCATIONS.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS YEAR
AFTER YEAR AND WE WANT TO THANK
GREG WITH THE WISCONSIN GREAT
NORTHERN, NICK WITH THE ILLINOIS
RAIL MUSEUM AND BOB WITH THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM.
YOU GUYS NOT ONLY HELP PRESERVE
AND PRESENT OUR RAIL HERITAGE,
BUT YOU LOVE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC
TELEVISION AND BELIEVE THAT WE
DO A GREAT JOB OF EDUCATING AND
ENLIGHTENING AND ENTERTAINING.
SO WE WANT TO THANK THEM.
BEFORE WE HEAD OUT WE'RE GOING
TO HAVE SOME MORE OF THE
GRAPHICS HERE.
WE WANT TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT
MORE OF THE TRAINS AND HELP YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO STRETCH THIS
BREAK OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE.
OUR PHONE OPERATORS ARE VERY,
VERY BUSY.
>> AND IF THEY ARE BUSY AND YOU
GET A BUSY SIGNAL OR NOBODY
ANSWERS FOR A WHILE, HOLD ON,
BECAUSE ALL OF THE PHONES ARE
BUSY.
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
>> AND WE HE WILL GUARANTEE YOU THE
TICKETS AND THESE GENTLEMEN WILL
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE GREATEST
EXPERIENCE.
WHEN YOU GO UP TO THEIR
LOCATIONS, SEARCH THEM OUT.
FIND THEM.
BECAUSE NICK DOES NOT CHANGE.
HE SLEEPS IN THE CONDUCTOR'S
UNIFORM.
>> YOU WILL SEE THE CONDUCTOR IN
UNION, ILLINOIS.
YOU WILL FIND HIM.
>> BOB WALKS IN HIS SLEEP
EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT HIS MIEW
ASSUMES.
>> IF YOU'RE IN GREEN BAY,
YOU'RE GOING TO FIND HIM.
>> GREG, HE DOESN'T SLEEP
BECAUSE HE'S WORKING ALL THE
TIME WITH ALL THOSE VENUES.
SO COME CELEBRATE OUR GREAT
RAILWAY HERITAGE.
PICK ONE OF THESE PACKAGES.
WRITE THAT PHONE NUMBER DOWN,
1-800-236-3636 OR GO TO
pbswisconsin.org.
WE WILL STILL HAVE TICKETS IN
ABOUT ANOTHER MINUTE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO ON TO ANOTHER
PROGRAM.
BUT BEFORE WE DO, I WANT TO GIVE
YOU A LITTLE TASTE OF DAVID
HOLT'S MUSIC AND WE'LL SHOW YOU
THOSE GRAPHICS ONE MORE TIME AND
THANK ALL OF YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING PBS
WISCONSIN.
IT'S OUR OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE
PROGRAMMING LIKE THIS FOR YOU,
BECAUSE WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING
TO FIND THIS, THE LOVE OF
TRAINS, THE LOVE OF HISTORY.
BECAUSE IT'S FOR YOU, THE PUBLIC
IN PBS WISCONSIN.
>> 27 YEARS.
I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE THAT LONG
BECAUSE YOU CONTINUE TO RESPOND
TO PROGRAMMING LIKE THIS.
YOU WANT EXPERIENCE-BASED THINGS
LIKE THIS.
LET'S HEAR A LITTLE TASTE OF
DAVID HOLT.
LET'S SHOW YOU THOSE GRAPHICS
ONE MORE TIME AND THANK YOU ALL
OF YOU WHO HAVE CALLED IN.
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
*
>> Well, I hope you've enjoyed
our look at some of
North America's most historic
and scenic heritage railways.
These treasured locations
continue to enlighten,
educate, and entertain
millions of visitors each year,
and they're an important part
of telling the rich history of
North America's railroad legacy.
I'm David Holt.
I hope to see you out there
riding the rails real soon.
All aboard!
*
>> * Get onboard
* We're ready to go
* See the world
from the scenic railroad *
* From the snowcap mountains
to the sunny coast *
* On the
great scenic railway journey *
*