Lumberjack Steam Train
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The Lumberjack Steam Train (the Laona and Northern Railway) is a heritage railway in Laona, Wisconsin.
The steam locomotive was built in 1916 by the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It was purchased September 22, 1926 and was brought to Laona for use in the logging industry. The steam engine pulls two all-steel passenger coach cars, and three cabooses.
The American Car and Foundry Company built the coach named the “Hamilton Roddis”, in 1923 for the Soo Line. Barney and Smith built the coach named the “Otter Creek” in 1911 also for the Soo Line. It was rebuilt in 1941. Two cabooses have unique cupolas and offer “up in the trees” views of the passing forest. These 18 passenger cabooses were purchased in 1965 and 1966 from the Duluth, Mesabi and Iron Range Railroad. The third caboose is Soo Line’s Caboose No. 147.
A ticket on the Lumberjack Steam Train takes you out to the site of an Old Logging Camp. Lumberjacks numbered their Camps, and this site was the site of Camp 5. Later it became the site of the Lumber Company Farm. When you arrive at the "Camp 5 Farm", you find remnants of the old buildings which were a part of the Lumber Company Farm. There is the old Hog Barn which is now the Petting Corral, the Blacksmith Shop which is now a part of the Museum, and the Old Slaughter House. In the distance is the old Boarding House and several original barns, as well as the "Woods Boss's House".
Your ticket is all inclusive and includes the Round-trip Ride on the Lumberjack Steam Train and admission into the Camp Five Museum Complex of historic and natural attractions, including the Logging Museum and Blacksmith Shop, Green Treasure Forest Tour, Animal Barn and Corral, the Nature Center, Cracker Barrel Store and Choo Choo Hut Restaurant.