Hot Spots Wisconsin Speedway

Producer: Kalmbach

Locations: Waukesha, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Neenah

Timeframe: 1997, 2017

Length: 75 minutes

Sources: Paul D. Schneider (1997), William Beecher (2017)

Wisconsin Speedway is the subject. Begins from early origins and quickly moves forward on the timeline. Still photographs are used on the history. Presentation is in a documentary style, similar to a PBS format. Railroad with plenty of information. Heavy emphasis on the operational and business facets of running Wisconsin Central.

A single DVD. Fullscreen aspect. Live audio is excellent. The images are fine. Balanced sound levels. Some music, as well. Produced by Kalmbach for Trains magazine.

Main Chapter Menu. Hidden chapter advance. Choices are, Play All, Original episode from 1997, or the hot spot update from 2017. A map is frequently referenced with route details. Multiple narrators.

To the Trains… 👉

Heart of the Wisconsin Central (61 minutes)

The action begins with this Wisconsin Central show from 1997. A modern version WC of the time. Here we have a good Regional Railroad. Waukesha is the start. Proceeds North towards Fond du Lac. Oshkosh to Neenah follows. Various officials and employees convey information.

Former Canadian National ore cars are run in 25 car unit trains.

CP Rail appears in a discussion of CTC operations.

Wisconsin & Southern at Slinger.

Wisconsin Central 6521 leads a freight on Byron Hill. The stretch is the toughest grade in the state  This SD45 is a former Burlington Northern locomotive.

North Fond du Lac has Shops Yard. A centerpiece of WC. Main classification for Chicago traffic and more. Eastbound and Westbound sorting in two yards here. The Chicago subdivision meets Neenah sub.

Iron Ore move is powered by Southern Pacific.

The multiple classification yards are busy, around the clock.

An interesting segment on car and locomotive shops at Fond du Lac with many views of assorted work. The 3000 class receive high praise during this WC roster review.

Neenah is the last location shown. Former Algoma Central with a quick reletter job.

There is more. A fine show. A good assortment of foreign power and WC reletters.

2017 Update – Canadian National (16 minutes)

Canadian National has transformed the former Wisconsin Central from a regional railroad into an important part of what amounts to a transcontinental route. This update is in the traditional trainwatching format. On-screen graphics convey details. Live audio, narration by Kevin Keefe and guest speakers. A surprising variety of paint schemes. Local L150 is at the Wisconsin and Southern Interchange.

Hot Spots Wisconsin Speedway

A well done program. The main feature film is focused on operations. Viewers can learn about the workings and history on Wisconsin Central.

The Canadian National 2017 pairs nicely with the older show. Renamed the Waukesha sub by CN. Changes in traffic and operation from the former Wisconsin Central. They continued with upgrades on the line. Similar format to the previous film. Difference is greater detail on trains. Short and sweet.

An interesting release. Should appeal to both Railfans and Model Railroaders. High quality production as one would expect from Kalmbach/ Trains magazine!

Rating: 5 Stars