Train1

Introduction

Generation of people recall riding the train at Marathon Park, in fact its been around since 1952. Over the last 50 plus years the train, park and business known today as Marathon Junction has seen many changes. When my father purchased the business I must admit there was something magical about “owning” the train… It’s like your wildest childhood dream coming true, the fact that anytime I wanted to I could drive the train!

What follows is a brief summery of the history of the train and the business. Details, names and dates are very sketchy there aren’t many records available so much of this has been passed down from person to person and the few documents which we have collected. (As you read through the history you can click on the images to view larger versions of those images.) Should you have old pictures, information or details about the train or business you could share with us we’d appreciate hearing from you, I am very interested in documenting the history of the train. Feel free to drop me and email at webmaster@marathonjunction.com or call us at (715) 842-8175.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to information.

Scott Winter

The Golden Spike

According to research and interviews the first track for the railroad at Marathon Park may have been laid as early as 1949 by Paul Richie, Luky Jaski, Oliver Knoff and Bill Marge. Although a Daily Herald – Focus article in 1982 makes mention of two men from Chicago installing the train in the early 50’s. Records indicate that the train Number 612 made by The Miniature Train Company of Rensselaer Indiana was delivered in 1952, the day of it’s initial run is unknown. The train was reportedly purchased by the then Wausau Police Chief Everet Gleason who owned it until either 1957 or 1958. According to records the official purchaser was Park Amusements Ent. Over the years it's safe to say the train has been ridden hundreds of thousands of times. Although documentation of its 50 year run seems to be almost non existent and a list of those owning it is even sketchier.

After Mr. Gleason sold it, the Focus article indicates it was owned by Mr. “Red” Liljequist, while other reports have a Mr. John Horn owning it between 1957 and 1960. From 1965 -1970 Mr. Arnold Ladwig was the owner and from 1970 until 1975 it’s believed Mr. Joe Lemke owned the business. In 1975 it was reported that Mr. Jerry Molling started operating the business up until 1980 when Ken and Donna Utecht purchased the business.

The younger generations may not remember when milk was sold in glass bottles and delivered to the milk box on your porch every morning. The milk bottles were sealed with cardboard bottle caps. Around 1960 Stueber’s Dairy sponsored rides on the train for $.05 when you presented 10 bottle caps, paper carton tops, butter or egg cartons, cottage cheese lids, or ice cream or sherbet carton end caps and the deal was good all summer long. To this day we continue to have a day in which we have a local dairy that sponsors rides at the park.

In 1977 owner Jerry Molling called the place Hazland Inc. In this May 28, Wausau Daily Herald article it’s described as majestic pines shadowing over winding trails, along with tennis courts and baseball diamonds. Providing freshly made sandwiches, hamburger, cheese burgers, grilled cheese, barbecues and hot dogs. Complement these with some soft served ice cream in a cone, shake or sundae. Although we still have the pinball machines in 2005 the wadding pool was rebuilt into a splash pad but continues to offer relief to hundreds of children every summer.

According to The Daily Herald Focus article of July 1, 1982 Ken and Donna Utecht purchased the business in the fall of 1980 and operated it for the first time during the summer of 1981. The Utechts saw many changes during their 20 years of business, they started with the train painted in the Milwaukee Road orange and black. Then some time between 1980 and the summer of 1982 they went with a “Hiawatha” theme painting the train orange and white with a sharp looking maroon and silver striping. Over the years they added a mini-golf course and in 1987 they moved into a new building.

During the later part of the 80's Mr. Utecht took on sponsorships to help support the cost of maintaining the train. A local gas distributor provided gas in exchange for signage at the train terminal. In 1998 needing a lot of restoration work and repainting Mr. Utecht agreed to have the train sponsored by a number of local businesses, the biggest sponsor being Coca-Cola. Coke agreed to provide funding for restoration work on the train in exchange for having the train painted to the current Coca-Cola Choo-Choo. With the well needed restoration work completed and a new bright red and white paint job the train was ready to run for more generation of youngsters.

In May of 2001 the train was purchased by George "Chip" Winter. Chip also owns a Popcorn Wagon which operates in downtown Wausau at the corner of Third Street and McClellan Streets called Chip’s Popcorn. Chip’s Popcorn has been in business since 1996. For many growing up in Wausau they may remember years before 1996 when Herb’s Popcorn Wagon was on the same corner. It is by no accident that Chip choose to continue a Wausau tradition of Popcorn in downtown Wausau. In 2001 Chip had the opportunity to continue another Wausau tradition in purchasing Marathon Junction and as a result of the purchase Chip formed Winter Concessions L.L.C., doing business as Chip’s Popcorn and Marathon Junction. Today Chip continues to expand the business to include additional concessions stands at the Wisconsin Woodchucks baseball games and various community events around the area.

In May of 2002 the 612 turned 50 years old and continues to provide over 20,000 rides a year to the thrills of those both young and old. The public is fascinated with the train questions range from can adults ride, to what kind of engine does it have, to it is the same train that was here 40 years ago. While everyone agrees it's a sharp looking train most also long for the day when it was the Milwaukee Road, our hope is to some day return it to its original colors.

During the summer of 2003 a new mini-golf course was installed at Marathon Junction and Pepsi became the new sponsor of the 612.

The Miniature Train Company

The 612 was made by the Miniature Train Company of Rensselaer Indiana. The company is no longer in operation but many of the trains are still in operation all over the country including nearly a dozen in Wisconsin. If your interested in learning more about trains like the 612 from the Minature Train Company check out my MTC Owners Website.

www.mtctrains.net