C&NW in South Central Wisconsin

Producer: Plets Express

Timeframe: 1990 – 1995

Locations: Chicago, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Rock Springs, North Freedom, Janesville…

Length: 1 Hour 37 Minutes

Source: Bradley Plets

A busy tour of Chicago and North Western. This volume ranges from Proviso Yard in Chicago, to South Central Wisconsin. Interesting highlights, that include: Mid-Continent Railroad Museum, Circus World Museum and Rock Springs Quarry. Proviso Yard.

Main menu for this DVD-R. Choice of, Feature or Chapter Selection. Extensive Breakdown. Winter at North Freedom, is one Chapter offered. Rock Springs, is split from the Quarry tour. No other DVD show options. Operation Lifesaver commercial closes the program.

A color paper pamphlet is included. This has a basic map. CNW Motive Power Roster for 1994, as well. Several color pictures of their locomotives. Worthwhile addition.

Mainline freights are handled by SD40-2 or GP40 Lashups.

Bradley Plets narration is a detailed one. He delves into history, and gives current information. Excellent Videography! On-screen graphics, with locations. Color balance is good. Imagery is not modern standards. A little soft, on a large HDTV, but quite watchable. Consider, the market has limited shows, featuring the CNW.

A venerable GP7 is seen at Proviso Yard.

The action at Proviso is limited. Some flat switching and locomotive hostler moves. Detailed discussion of the yard history and some operations.

Single or paired, these are the journeyman workhorses.

The dominant locomotive type is the MP15. Locals and yard switching. Behemoth Proviso Yard uses GP7/9 class. Other classes include; SD40-2, GP40 on the mainline freights. Classic English Stagecoach Yellow, newer Zito/ Safety Yellow repaints and back to Stagecoach Yellow paint. The bright Zito yellow, weathered poorly and was a fail. That never was a proper railroad color! Great for a toddlers tricycle, not an Electromotive diesel.

Action moves towards Wisconsin. Road trains and locals. Janesville plant at General Motors. An MP15 pair performs the work. Viewers shall find this model, is common on these lines. Auto racks and high cube boxcars.

Baraboo Station is visible in the background. No longer serving CNW.

Baraboo was the historical winter home to Ringling Brothers. Circus World Museum had long since taken over the facilities. CNW serviced the rail moves. The Circus Train to Milwaukee was an annual event. An SD40 pair does the honors in this show.

Celebration is briefly seen and the Circus Trains leaves with a long train! Many wagons roll by the camera on flatcars.

Devil’s Lake

Devils Lake is a scenic highlight. Now a designated park. Bradley tells the history.

The final segment of Rock Springs Quarry.

Additional interest is when Producers have, Films within the Film. Rock Springs Quarry is a fine example. The operation is private ownership.

SD40-2 power leads the Ballast Train. Destination is Proviso Yard.

CNW hauls the contracted Pink Lady, ballast gravel. An excellent Chapter. Plets details and shows the various stages of this quarry. Viewers shall learn plenty.

Return of the Circus Train to the Museum. Horses pull the wagons to unload the vintage flatcars. Interesting historical style procedures are employed. Another bonus!

Bradley Plets does the informative narrative. The remainder of the soundtrack is natural audio.

Freight traffic in the area contains plenty of ballast trains. By this time, a caboose is rare.

Snow Train Special, had a Chapter of it’s own.

At Mid Continent Museum, former CNW 1385, handles the tourist train. This operation is on ex:CNW rails. Fine Museum. Plets films this steam trip well.

The Mid-Continent Museum, also has a chapter on Winter runs. So, both times of year are featured.

Busy, although compact yard at Madison. SD40-2 power leads the rock trains here.

Back at Janesville. Additional MP15 moves are encountered. The General Motors Plant keeps them moving. Automotive traffic here. A caboose on this train.

Although both are moving, Soo Line needs the CNW power to clear the mainline ahead.

CNW, Soo Line and Wisconsin Southern all share trackage at Janesville. Hence, the CNW and Soo, run side by side.

Even more Hopper Cars are loaded at Janesville. The material is Sand. This train employs 70 ton Ore Cars. Rock River Bridge is crossed, as the train exits town.

Additional Sand loads are strung together at the Janesville yard.

A trio of SD40-2 units on the lead.

Trains leaving this yard are the subject of the closing minutes.

An occasional CNW caboose is still in service.

Plets Express has provided a good tour of the advertised C&NW lines. The Camera work is well done. Soundtrack is clear. Very interesting show. The visuals are, good composition and favorable weather.

Overall, a fine package for Chicago and North Western fans.

Rating: 5 Stars