DARLINGTON — Activity at the Darlington Depot last week included efforts by staff and volunteers, and major contributions of expertise by Steve Krahenbuhl, and equipment by K&L Bobcat.  

The railroad tracks in Darlington were put in about 170 years ago. Some were transformed into the Cheese Country Recreation Trail, and others were removed, paved or landscaped over as time passed. The length of tracks that runs along the non-trail side of the Darlington Depot, will be the home of a train car — a project of the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. Not all of the tracks are suitable as some are at the edge of the road. In order to assure that property drainage is directed away from the Depot Building and away from the tracks, some landscaping will be needed and the unusable sections of track would be a hindrance.  

To remove those track sections, Steve cut the rails with a torch and lifted them away with a Bobcat. Then he saved a lot of hand shovel work by using the Bobcat to level the roadway side and clear dirt from between the rails.  

Work to prepare the rails for the display of a train car will continue as long as the weather is cooperative. After a winter pause, work will continue in spring.

For additional information about this project, contact LCHGS at 608-776-8340.

LCHGS to establish a Chapter of National Railway Historical Society

The Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society is going to establish a Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc. (NRHS). Since the society owns the Darlington Depot and operates it as a railroad history museum, and is in the process of restoring the rail and tracks to add a train car, they are an excellent candidate to form a Chapter of NRHS.

NRHS is a nationwide historical society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserve historical material concerning railway transportation of all kinds, to collect data on the history of transportation and to issue publications relating to this subject, along with current transportation topics, and doings of the Society, and to encourage rail transportation. The benefits of membership include receiving the NRHS Bulletin as published each year, and six issues of the NRHS News, discounts to various rail attractions around the country and opportunities to support preservation of railroad history.

There is currently only one Chapter of NRHS in Wisconsin — located near Milwaukee. Former local lines include what is now the Cheese Country Recreation trail, which travels from Mineral Point through Darlington to Monroe and Belmont, and the Military Ridge Trail from Madison to Dodgeville. 

The old railroad lines have become trails that tie local communities together and are busy places for hikers, bikers, ATV’ers and snowmobilers. Many communities have refurbished their old train depots as museums, community centers, and other the tourism venues. 

This area is home to many railroad enthusiasts, retired railroad workers, and model railroad hobbyists. “The Toy Train Barn” between Argyle and Monroe is a favorite stop for train lovers of all ages. 

As an existing historical society, LCHGS can provide the structure to organize a Chapter and would appreciate the support of NRHS for their Depot Museum. In particular, forming a Chapter could qualify LCHGS for a “Heritage Grant” that would help raise funds for the purchase and restoration of a train car to install beside the Darlington Depot. 

To all persons in southwest Wisconsin that love trains of the past: consider membership in a local Chapter of NRHS — a way to help preserve railroad history in the southwest Wisconsin area.  Contact LCHGS at 608-776-8340, or info@lafayettecohistoricalandgenealogy.com with questions or for more information on membership in this great organization.