Hear ye, hear ye! The upcoming celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the last run of “The Dinky” is now “official” as Fennimore Mayor Ryan Boebel, joined by members of the Fennimore Railroad Historical Society, took part in a proclamation signing ceremony held in the council chambers of the Memorial Building Thursday, Jan. 8.
The day of celebration, Saturday, Jan. 31, has been proclaimed as “Narrow-Gauge Railroad Day” in honor of “The Dinky’s” last run.
The proclamation “encourages all residents in the city and surrounding area to join with the Fennimore Railroad Museum to celebrate the history of the narrow-gauge railroad and its impact on the growth of Fennimore and the surrounding area.”
The celebration will be held at the Fennimore Railroad Museum from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Jan. 31, with a special program scheduled for 11 a.m.
Railroad enthusiasts and community members are invited to stop in and tour the museum, check out some special displays, talk trains, and enjoy refreshments.
A brief history lesson
The narrow-gauge railroad began service between Fennimore and Woodman on Nov. 29, 1878, and ran for nearly a half century.
This small but versatile train served passengers including farmers, fishermen, salesmen, school children, and business owners. It also hauled livestock, the U.S. mail, milk, ice, lumber, and other freight.
Its small size allowed it to navigate the peaks and valleys of southwest Wisconsin’s driftless region and included the famous Horseshoe Bend.
It connected passengers, goods, and services in Fennimore and Woodman to the standard gauge railroad coming from Madison and La Crosse and played an important role in the early development of Fennimore and the surrounding area.
Although narrow-gauge railroad operations were abandoned years ago, a historical monument commemorating “The Dinky” was placed in Fennimore in 1989, thanks to the hard work of several area residents who wanted to preserve Fennimore’s narrow-gauge railroad history. They continued to work to preserve the area’s railroad history and the Fennimore Railroad Museum opened in 1993.
Currently, a 24-member board oversees the operation and maintenance of the museum and grounds. They, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, enjoy sharing Fennimore’s railroad history and giving rides on the Vern Wilkinson train to visitors of all ages each summer.
Preparing for the celebration of the narrow-gauge railroad and the 100-year anniversary of the last run of “The Dinky” members of the Railroad Museum Board spent time collecting photos, stories, and details of railroad life in years gone by, trying to recapture some of the “spirit” of that time.
The board hopes visitors to the museum for the celebration, and for the coming season, feel a connection to the railroad and to those living at that time.
