Many years ago, thought to be in the early 1970's, the Chippewa Valley Model Railroad Club was formed. We held our first train show in 1975. Some time in the 1980's the club was reorganized and named the Indianhead Model Railroad Club. We met at various locations in Eau Claire, WI and about 5 or so years ago found a home on Western Avenue. It was never considered a permanent site so no permanent layout could be constructed. Starting in January, 2015, events took place that lead to the another reorganization of the club and the adoption of its first Bylaws. This same site has now become our "permanent home". On March 24, 2015 a new name was adopted, West Wisconsin Railroad Club.
We now have a formal organization described in detail in our new Bylaws. Officers are President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Treasurer, and a Board of Directors. Election of officers is held once per year. Committees are created as needed. The Bylaws will be published on this web site.
We have been granted 501c3 status by the IRS so tax deductible donations may be made to the club. Some kind folks have done that. Thank you.
Regular meetings are monthly except for January and December. They consist of a short business session which is usually followed by a "show and tell" time, a clinic on some topic of interest, perhaps a train related video, or other train related activity. Snacks normally accompany a meeting. Of course there is always some social time to catch up on what's happening in our lives.
Enter by the left hand doorway. See the Contact Us
page for the address and a map.
See the Activities menu for details.
The West Wisconsin Railroad Club name was selected in 2015 to describe our new organization and vision. The word "Model" is no longer part of the name as our expanded vision goes beyond just modeling although modeling is still an important activity. In addition to identifying the geographical area where our members live, the name also is a historical reference to the "West Wisconsin Railway" which came into existance in 1863. It ran from Tomah to Hudson, WI via Eau Claire. Here is a brief history of it.
1863 | Chartered | |
1866 | Assumed control of the Tomah & Lake St. Croix Railroad | |
1868 | Began operations | |
1870 | Completed the wooden high bridge over the Chippewa River | |
1871 | Expanded its Eau Claire shops | |
1871 | Began regular passenger train service to Eau Claire | |
1871 | Purchased three new locomotives | |
1871 | Purchased four new locomotives | |
1872 | Expanded its Eau Claire shops again | |
1872 | Purchased five new locomotives | |
1872 | Opened a connection to the St. Paul, Stillwater & Taylors Falls Railroad | |
1875 | Entered receivership after failing to pay the interest on bonds | |
1878 | Reorganized as the Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis Railroad | |
1880 | Merged with 3 other railroads to form the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway |
The line highlighted in red is the route of the WWR.
For more information on the West Wisconsin Railway see Stan Mailer's book,
The Omaha Road: Chicago, St Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha
The WWR has it's own Wikipedia page. Check it out.