A Wisconsin Christmas Train Ride In Wisconsin Dells!

Published: November 19, 2025

Tucked into the pine woods just north of Wisconsin Dells, the Riverside & Great Northern Railway (R&GN) offers something delightfully unexpected: live-steam trains in 15-inch gauge, built to the same principles as full-size locomotives but scaled for families to enjoy together. Part railroad museum, part working shop, and part scenic excursion, this “little railroad” has become a beloved outing in the Dells—especially when its Santa Trains bring Christmas to the rails each year.

Sandley origins and a move to the Dells

The R&GN story begins in the 1940s, when Elmer Sandley and his son Norman launched the Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works. Their unusual niche was building authentic 15-inch gauge steam locomotives and rolling stock for parks, estates, and small railways around the world. To demonstrate their products, the Sandleys first built a miniature railway in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Between 1952-1955 they relocated the operation to Wisconsin Dells, purchasing a segment of abandoned right-of-way from the Milwaukee Road (often also associated with earlier La Crosse & Milwaukee trackage). Here they laid new 15-inch gauge track, built shops, and constructed a scaled-down Chicago & North Western–style depot to anchor their new demonstration railroad.

A golden spike ceremony on August 9, 1953, marked the opening of the Riverside & Great Northern Railway as both tourist attraction and working manufacturing plant.

A grand-scale ride through the woods

Today the line is operated by the Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society as a living museum. The railroad’s steam trains run over roughly two miles of track that wind through wooded cuts, rock outcrops, and sandy canyons near the Wisconsin River, giving passengers a feel for the rugged landscape that drew big-time railroads and tourists to the region in the first place.

Trains depart from the attractive depot complex at N115 County Road North, then chug out into the woods behind carefully maintained live-steam locomotives. The narrow-gauge line threads past rock formations, through tree-lined curves, and across small fills and structures that echo the look of a full-size short line in miniature. Wildlife sightings—deer, turkey, and the occasional fox—add to the charm, especially on quiet shoulder-season trips.

Despite its compact scale, the ride feels surprisingly substantial, generally lasting around 30 minutes for the round trip. For many children, the experience of being close to the locomotive—hearing the exhaust bark, smelling coal smoke or oil-fired steam, and watching the side rods work—is often more engaging than a ride on a distant, full-size engine.

More than a train ride: a working museum

While the train ride is the star attraction, the R&GN is also a museum of the Sandley Works themselves. The original shops and associated buildings survive, and the preservation group has worked to interpret the site as a center of miniature steam locomotive construction.

Visitors can see equipment on display, learn how these locomotives were designed and built, and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating fully functional steam engines at one-third scale.

The site often features additional family-friendly amenities: a small museum or learning area that explains railroad history and the Sandleys’ role in it, viewing areas for shop work when it is safe to do so, and picnic spots where guests can linger before or after their train ride. Tourism organizations in the region frequently highlight the R&GN as one of Wisconsin Dells’ more low-key, educational outings—an appealing contrast to the area’s waterparks and thrill rides.

The Santa Express: Christmas on a miniature main line

Each year, the R&GN caps its operating season with special Santa Express, usually scheduled on just a few select weekends in late November and early December, typically after Thanksgiving.

These trains transform the little railroad into a Christmas destination, drawing families from across the Dells region and beyond.

Passengers board vintage-style coaches for a festive ride through the winter woods, where a dusting of snow and the crisp air add a seasonal touch. On board or at the depot—depending on the year’s setup—children have the chance to meet Santa Claus himself, hand over their wish lists, and pose for photos. Official event listings emphasize that kids can deliver their lists directly to “the big guy in red” while the train rolls through what is promoted as a “winter wonderland.”

Back at the station, families typically find hot chocolate and other small treats available, reinforcing the cozy, small-town feel of the event. The railway encourages guests to bring cameras, both for photos with Santa and for capturing the sight of a live-steam train decked out for the holidays—a rarity even among heritage operations.

Because the railroad uses authentic steam equipment and operates in a northern climate, Santa Trains are always “weather permitting.” Heavy snow, ice, or extreme cold may affect schedules, so the railway recommends checking its website, social media, or local tourism listings for the most current dates and times before traveling. To learn more about these trips please click here to visit the railroad's website.

Planning a visit

The R&GN is located just a short drive from downtown Wisconsin Dells, making it easy to pair with other attractions or a weekend getaway. Parking is available at the depot, and many visitors plan an hour or two for the full experience: purchasing tickets, riding the train, exploring the grounds, and browsing the small gift shop.

For the Santa Express, advance planning is wise. Holiday events at the railway are popular and may sell out in busier years. Buying tickets early, arriving at the depot at least 20–30 minutes before departure, and dressing for winter conditions will help ensure a comfortable outing. Families with young children may also want to allow a little extra time so kids can watch the locomotive take water or run around the depot area between trips—often as memorable as the ride itself.

A small railroad with a big legacy

In many ways, the R&GN is the ultimate expression of the Sandleys’ dream: a showcase for finely crafted miniature locomotives that also preserves a chapter of American railroading history. As a 15-inch gauge living museum, it keeps alive the skills and traditions of steam railroading, even as it offers an accessible, family-friendly experience tailored to today’s visitors.

Whether you visit on a sunny summer afternoon or bundle up for Christmas themed experience in December, a trip to this little railroad offers more than just a ride. It’s an immersion into a carefully preserved miniature world—one where steam still rules, craftsmanship matters, and Christmastime brings the magic of Santa and the rails together in the pines above the Wisconsin River.