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7/16/2025
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Viewing Album:  Lumberjack Steam Train: Riding the Laona & Northern's Vulcan 2-6-2
 
By:Matthew Zisi
Dates:7/4/2025 - 7/4/2025
Album Info:Howdy, folks! Celebrated the 4th of July this year with a ride on the Laona & Northern Railroad, in Laona, Wisconsin. Located nearly four hours north of Milwaukee, Laona's a small town, but with a big reward for those who make the trip! The small logging railroad has a steam engine, #4, the only Vulcan 2-6-2 still in operation! Visitors can ride 1.2 miles north to a lumber camp, where exhibits show the history of logging. A blacksmith shop, a petting zoo, and wagon tours of the forest are other things visitors can see. Everybody who works at the museum is extremely friendly, making this a wonderful experience. Totally worth the trip! For more information about the Laona & Northern, visit their website at https://www.lumberjacksteamtrain.com/
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Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description:  The reason to come ride the Laona & Northern! #4, built by Vulcan in 2-6-2, is the only Vulcan 2-6-2 still in operating condition! Here it is, smartly decorated for the 4th of July!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:41:21 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  44   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern C402 Camp 8
Title:  Laona & Northern C402 Camp 8
Description:  The railroad has 3 cabooses, but only two are mentioned on the website. This one is the odd man out. It was built in 1924 for the Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railroad, which eventually became part of the Soo Line in 1961. Four years later, this caboose became part of the Laona & Northern, where it has served ever since.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:13:02 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  28   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description:  View from caboose C401s cupola!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:40:29 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  InCab,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  33   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern C401 Camp 7
Title:  Laona & Northern C401 Camp 7
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:17:52 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern C402 Camp 8
Title:  Laona & Northern C402 Camp 8
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:13:36 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 0
Laona & Norther C403 Camp 5
Title:  Laona & Norther C403 Camp 5
Description:  This was originally #147 for the Soo Line. It was built by American Car & Foundry in 1908.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:14:47 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 0
Wisconsin Central 1
Title:  Wisconsin Central 1
Description:  Like a lot of steam tourist lines, the Laona & Northern keeps a diesel around as well. Wisconsin Central 1 is parked at the north end of the line, along with the railroads snowplow.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:49:16 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  WC 1(SW1)
Views:  39   Comments: 0
Wisconsin Central 1
Title:  Wisconsin Central 1
Description:  This diesel is historic as well. It was built in 1941 for the New York Central (#683). At some point, it became part of the Wisconsin Central. It mostly served around Fond Du Lac, before being donated to the Laona & Northern in 2000.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:51:12 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  WC 1(SW1)
Views:  34   Comments: 0
Snowplow
Title:  Snowplow
Description:  Given that the railroad mainly runs June through September, this probably is not needed during operating season-but they have it just in case!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:52:24 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 0
Snowplow
Title:  Snowplow
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:52:49 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern C401 Camp 7
Title:  Laona & Northern C401 Camp 7
Description:  This caboose was from the Duluth, Mesabi, and Iron Range Railroad - I got to ride in the cupola. It was built passenger style, so it actually has several seats down below, in addition to the ones in the cupola. It was built in 1906 in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:17:17 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  30   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern Depot
Title:  Laona & Northern Depot
Description:  This depot used to be over by the towns sawmill, still in operation today. After the Chicago & Northwestern stopped running to Laona in 1979, the Laona & Northern stopped hauling freight in 1983, and tracks north of Camp 5 were removed. The depot was moved a half-mile west of town, where it is easily accessible off the highway.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:23:13 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  24   Comments: 0
Handcar & Other Equipment
Title:  Handcar & Other Equipment
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:24:42 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  24   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description:  The engine was originally built for the Fairchild & Northeastern, a North Carolina logging operation, in 1916. The Laona & Northern bought the engine in 1926, and it has served here ever since.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:42:19 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  25   Comments: 0
Wigwag
Title:  Wigwag
Description:  It was not on, but it was still neat to see!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:25:18 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 0
Another Wigwag
Title:  Another Wigwag
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:25:37 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  35   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 302
Title:  Laona & Northern 302
Description:  The Hamilton Roddis. This was built for the Soo Line as the Otter Creek in 1923. While the railroad's website makes it look like the Otter Creek and the Hamilton Roddis are separate coaches, old photos show the 302 as the Otter Creek - so I'm pretty sure this was the Otter Creek (renamed), and the other coach (Rat River) was the one built in 1912.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:54:23 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  29   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 301
Title:  Laona & Northern 301
Description:  The Rat River. Built by American Car & Foundry for the Soo Line in 1912, as #976. The Laona and Northern bought the coach in 1964.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:59:37 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  25   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern Boxcar
Title:  Laona & Northern Boxcar
Description:  This boxcar was built in 1920, served on the railroad back during its logging days, and was converted into an open-air car in 2008.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:32:37 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  23   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description:  After the railroad switched to steam in the 1950s, #4 was kept as a backup and also to help burn weeds off the line. Little did its owners know it would go on to become the railroads prime attraction!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:43:52 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  29   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:45:23 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  24   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:45:53 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  28   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern 4
Title:  Laona & Northern 4
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 5:46:19 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  LNO 4(2-6-2)
Views:  24   Comments: 0
Laona & Northern Platform
Title:  Laona & Northern Platform
Description:  The railroad runs from mid-June through mid-August (see website for details); also has cowboy reenactment day (possible train robbery?) in July and September. Thanks for viewing, and I hope you can make your way north to see this train sometime soon!
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:29:34 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  23   Comments: 0
MofW Equipment
Title:  MofW Equipment
Description:  Speeder (motorized handcar), and my guess is that thing on the right is used to kill weeds.
Photo Date:  7/4/2025  Upload Date: 7/6/2025 6:18:41 PM
Location:  Laona, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 1

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