CNW@ Tunnel City,WI and Wyeville,WI CNW

[@ericl2969]

I was in my early days of being a railroad enthusiast when I learned about Tunnel City, and I never made the trip up there. CNW was the main railroad where I lived, and I have to say that after watching a few clips like this, the old CNW colors and paint scheme was one of those "dated" combinations that is just timeless in retrospect. They really had some good-looking locomotives (when they were clean). I don't think their later paint scheme with the more modern "safety yellow" was nearly as appealing. I do miss that railroad, and the heydays of the SD-40!

[@FierroDuroRails]

How do I miss seeing those beautiful colors as a kid.

[@trainmandan05]

Great video! I like how you can see the obvious difference between CNW's older yellow and then their safety yellow on that pair of SD40-2's.

[@CNWrapidrails6867]

When was this 1996 or something? Or was it like early 2000s

[@wisphotog]

Wow! Awesome stuff! Alex

[@freighttrainsahpassing9790]

really nice views !!!

[@Phazer123]

There is supposed to be a new sand pit or loading site going in somewhere between Wyeville and Camp Douglas.

[@HHopebringer]

Yep. There's at least two; one out by Oakdale and the other past Tunnel City. Unfortunately there's a lot of security at the one near Tunnel City (always found that very unnecessary); going down the Highway 21 hill is the only chance you have to see that yard, as they've erected this massive earthen embankment. Now, you can't see a damn thing of the CP mainline from 21 all the way until you reach Sparta. Going West on the Empire Builder from Tomah towards Minneapolis reveals a completely desolate stretch behind that embankment. The forest is gone and now they've got a desert in its place. It's a damn shame, really.

[@NJP76]

@@HHopebringer Couldn't agree more! Friends and I used to go all over around that area taking pix and chasing trains. It used to be beautiful out there. Had some great shots of some of the fall colors out by Raymore from Fall 1988. Looking at the satellite pix of that area, it is practically unrecognizable anymore. They really desimated that area. What a shame. It will never look the same out there again.

[@TIYX]

When did you film this ? Because the cross track that is show at 9:05 is no longer there and I have lived in wyeville for the past 12 years and it has never been there the whole time I have lived here. I know it use to and actual will exist soon again because of a sand mine that opened in valley junction just north of Wyeville.

[@VilquinProductions]

Cool! Thanx fur sharin'!

[@TIYX]

@redzmvt (cont.) That track South of Wyeville that store box cars was suppose to become a bike trail but over the summer this year they have went down the track and put new ties in, this lead me to beileve they are going to re - open the section from wyeville to around the Mill bluff state park becuase of the large sand mine just north of wyeville..

[@fredlohmann1448]

I WISH THIS RAILROAD DIDN'T DIE!!

[@redzmvt]

@defiythelie This was shot at the end of 1993?It probably was taken out by UP,perhaps?It looks like a sand mine is starting north of Oakdale.There is a bunch of boxcars stored south of Wyeville.I would like to find more info on the CNW lines now being used as bike trails.I don't believe that the Wyeville/Tunnel City to Winona line ever had block signals,as with the Elroy/Sparta line.Only at the interlockings.

[@TIYX]

@redzmvt The whole time I have lived here in Wyeville they have stored old broken down box cars south of weyville same with the side track just east of wyeville. Yeah there is a sand mind right next to a cattle farm north of oakdale, there is a huge one north of wyeville right before valley junction that loads trains.

[@jeffbaldwin3447]

What year is this video taken?

[@25mfd]

The winona job. I worked that assignment.

[@NJP76]

Can't believe I found this video! Man' I used to practically live out by that tunnel. Sadly, we didn't have any video equipment back then. Lots of pictures though, and even some audio recordings. Things aren't the same out there anymore though. Since the sand mine moved in on the West end, it is nearly impossible to get out there and do any filming. Videos like this bring back at least a little of the "magic" that we once enjoyed. PS: Are you from this area? (Tomah - Wyeville - Tunnel City)

[@lisamunson1789]

My bf mother grew up in wyville and tunnel city. The miller family robert and shirley.

[@NJP76]

@@lisamunson1789 How cool! I actually knew a Rob Miller back in 1970-1972 when I was 10-11 years old. Rob and I were good friends. He lived just a few houses up the street from me (Tomah). Fell out of touch after we moved away from the neighborhood.

[@lisamunson1789]

My bfs family is.

[@Syclone0044]

6:00 CNW bay window caboose 11179. What a filthy caboose! I wonder why they had a caboose on that train anyway? Also have you ever seen the reportedly collapsed CNW tunnel to the north about 100'? I was just there last weekend and could see where the rock was cut on the east side but too many trees and private property to get anywhere near seeing the tunnel or what's left of it.

[@redzmvt]

I had photos of the CNW tunnel remains.Caboose was used for back-up move at Winona(CK)to access their yard.

[@Syclone0044]

+redzmvt "Had photos of the CNW tunnel remains"... Does that mean you no longer do? I'd love to see them...

[@NJP76]

I know this is an older comment, but I have a few pictures taken around the old CNW tunnel at Tunnel City. They are from Summer 1988. I am sure I have then scanned into the computer somewhere. Will try to find them.

[@redzmvt]

I did see the C&NW east portal,kind of grown over at the time.Took still pics of it that are now gone.Caboose is nothing more than a glorified shoving platform used at Winona for the shove into yard.West end is a sand mine now,hard to access the whole area now.

[@NJP76]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I did find some of the pictures of the old CNW tunnel from 1988. Just need to scan them in and get them on the way. I may make a short slideshow type video as well.

[@xanadujohn79]

Amtrak uses the route for the Empire Builder...PS also a great area for sledding....

[@redzmvt]

Thanks.At least I wasn't getting chewed by skeeters,like the previous time we stooped here.