The East Troy Railroad Museum will break ground on a new 7,000 square foot maintenance facility at noon on Saturday, July 25.
The new facility will be across from the Elegant Farmer near Mukwonago. It will be 128 feet long by 56 feet wide and allow for easy access around – and above – an entire railroad car. Cars will enter the facility on rails. The facility will also contain a machine shop and wood shop.
The existing maintenance and storage facilities lack good access around cars and greatly limit the ability to maintain or refurbish trolleys and interurban railroad cars during the colder months, according to a press release from the railroad
The new facility, to be constructed by Walters Buildings of Allenton, will also contain a pit allowing the maintenance staff to work completely underneath the car – and it will be temperature controlled.
“The current facility is more of a weather shelter for our cars, and it isn’t heated or cooled,” East Troy Railroad Museum President Ryan Jonas said. “The majority of our exiting barn does not have finished floors and volunteers have to crawl underneath the cars to perform necessary maintenance.”
“Historic trolley, interurban and elevated commuter rail cars have come to us with millions of miles on them,” Jonas said. “And some of them are well over 100 years old. Electric, wood and metal repairs are often required to keep these fine cars running down the track.”
The East Troy Railroad Museum is 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation committed to the preservation of the rail heritage of Wisconsin and America. Operated completely by volunteers, all proceeds and sales benefit the work of the museum to restore historic trolleys and interurban railcars, preserve rail heritage, and educate the public. The railroad operates every weekend May through October, as well as running charters, dinner trains, and other special events.
The railroad has 27 trolleys, interurbans and other electric railroad cars. The museum has over 250 members worldwide, 110 active volunteers and nearly 15,000 visitors each year. The museum operates on the last remaining 7.5 miles of The Milwaukee Electric Railroad and Light Co. interurban line. It has run continuously since 1907.
Donations to help complete the facility are still being accepted. Visit www.easttroyrr.org for more information.
