Thanks Mark, I grew up in Cashton (born in 1943) so I remember the steam days as well as the Alco diesels. I enjoyed the pictures you posted. Looking at the picture Cashton 3, I can still picture the shed that used to be to the left of the track where the maintenance crew kept their equipment. I lived on the other side of the high school from where that picture was taken. The depot agent lived next door to us and his sons were my buddies. We spent a lot of time at the depot. John
Dear John, thanks. I should have looked for you that first time I was in the area. I asked several locals about the train and to a tee, they all gave me a funny look and said, "What train?". It worked out, though. It gave me a reason to return to the area. Now, LaCrosse is a fine stopping point on my UP trips. Wonderful area you have there, and not too many tourists, only fisherman. One thing, I take it the old line, when it crossed over County U heading north, followed Neptune Rd. and then paralleled Neola Ave, on the North side of Neola Ave down into the valley and Market St. How exactly, did the line snake through there and then get back toward highway 27? Thanks, Mark
Hi Mark, I wasn't clear in my last post ... although I grew up in Cashton, I went off to college in 1961, then lived in Rochester, MN for 42 years and am now living in Texas. My older brother still lives in Cashton and would be a good source of history. If you get back there, look up Paul at Mitby's TV and Appliance across from the old depot location. My recollection of the path back to HWY 27 is a little fuzzy. As you know, HWY 27 has been relocated. It used to pass through Cashton and followed what is now shown as Nemo Ave down into the valley toward Melvina. As the line got down into the valley, I think it followed the east side of the valley (staying closer to Neptune Ave) until it got to Melvina. I remember turning off HWY 27 and heading east on some of the roads that run east and west. It was some distance from HWY 27 before you crossed the tracks Hope that helps a little. John
