Eau Claire (WQOW) - For more
than three decades, the Chippewa Valley Railroad Association has been offering
people of all ages a fun way to spend an afternoon. They have been running the
miniature train through Carson Park 12 times a year every summer.
"When we started
our operation in 1977, we didn't have enough track to make a loop. So we would
back up," said Chippewa Valley Railroad Association President Dave
Peterson.
The Chippewa Valley Railroad Association
celebrated its 35th anniversary Sunday in Carson Park.
The group of train enthusiasts operates this half-mile miniature train.
"We have people who
have learned some basic machining skills that they might not be able to do or
afford to do if they weren't in our club. Some equipment is fairly expensive to
buy if you want to just learn how to run a mill or a lathe, but we have that
type of equipment which allows people to come here and just learn that type of
thing," Peterson said.
5,000 to 6,000 people come out to
enjoy the train every year. Unlike thrill rides at amusement parks, Peterson
says the relaxed nature allows people of all ages to enjoy the experience.
"A couple Sundays
ago we had a family reunion come up here, and they bought 70 tickets and
everybody was riding the train. So that took from a one year old to
grandparents in their 80's and 90's. All could do the same thing together,"
said Peterson.
Since its opening, the track has
changed and a diesel engine has been added, which is much easier to start than
the steam powered train.
"They take about,
oh, hour and a half to get ready in the morning. To build a fire, heat up the
water, create some steam and service the engine. There's several lubrication
points, and people have to learn that. And then just keeping the fire going and
the water level in the boiler takes some learning experience," Peterson
said.
The Chippewa Valley Railroad
Association says they are a non-profit group dedicated to preserving the Eau Claire railroad
history. The train will make its way around the tracks just twice more before
being shut down for the year. Passengers can board the train the next two Sundays
from noon until 5p.m.
