Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum

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Our Trains and Railroad Museum

Marvel at our historic railroad exhibits, and relax in the Garden Railroad while the kids play on the Playground!


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The Museum: Inside the Railroad Museum, model trains in many gauges are running. Showcases contain model steam locomotives -many of them are made in brass. Recently added is a  display depicting beer refrigerator cars with corporate art and slogans of many brands from this area.

Outside, a complete actual caboose.

Historic Recreations & Memorabilia: A telegrapher's office and actual lanterns from many railroads are on display. Show-cased along the walls is a collection of memorabilia from when steam was king is on the high rails.

Gallery: Fine art depicts railroad equipment and scenes.

Library: The Railroad Museum has a reference library of over 1,000 books and magazines, including some over 100 years old.

Gift Shop: Find mementos and souvenirs to remember your visit or as unique gifts.

Have a look,

at some of our trains and attractions, with much more waiting for you at The Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum!

Garden Railroad

The Garden Railroad occupies 2500 square feet in an enclosed area between the two museum buildings. Over 500 feet of track carry G scale steam trains through Monroe County and the cities of Sparta, Cataract and Tunnel City.

A Barrel Train

New this year!  We have a 50 foot barrel train with 6 cars!

Relax, or Play

We have a 40 foot long "pretend" train on which kids can play. For families, there is a picnic shelter and grill. The large playground for kids features commercially built swings including aluminum critters which kids can ride: a lion, hippo, pelican, etc. Six in all.

Beer Referigerated "Reefer" Car Display

No one knows exactly when advertising on the sides of reefers began, but as early as 1870 such cars were seen on some railroads. Someone had recognized that these cars would be seen by hundreds of people as they traveled to their destinations. It was cheap advertising. The early cars were primarily for meat packers, but before long produce and other commodities were being shipped in these cars.

The haydays were in the early twentieth century, especially after the repeal of prohibition, when “beer reefers” made an appearance. Although a small segment of the total fleet, the bright and sometimes gaudy displays made these cars distinctive.

Because of the soot and cinders from the engine, as well as dust and dirt, and the fading of the paint due to the sun, the cars were usually repainted every two or three years. Oft times, capriciously, the numbers were changed as well. It was not surprising to see a car with different advertising, for the company, on each side of the car.

In 1934, the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) ruled that railroads would no longer be required to handle refrigerator cars with advertising, naming products. Railroads had complained that such cars, which were leased by private companies, reduced railroad revenues, and in some cases, were guilty of the lessees receiving illegal rebates.

By 1937, all billboard reefers had been phased out and only generic information, such as the name of the company were allowed.

Directions

From I-90
Take exit #25 to Hwy 27. Take HWY 27, 12 miles North from Sparta to Cataract, WI. Turn right on County Hwy "B" and go 7/10 of a mile to County Hwy "II". Angle left onto II and follow it to the museum. It is located on the left side of the street.

From I-94
take exit #115 to Hwy 27. Take HWY 27, 15 miles South from Black River Falls to Cataract, WI. Turn left on County Hwy "B" 7/10 of a mile to County Hwy "II". Angle left onto II and follow it to the museum. It is located on the left side of the street.

Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum

Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum

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Contact Us


[email protected]

(608) 272-3266

9208 County Highway II
Sparta, WI 54656

View current Newsletter (2019)

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