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The Ghost Train
Current Status
The Ghost Train is currently not operating due to a lighting and audio issue. The Public Art Committee is aware of the issue and is attempting to work with a contractor who can resolve the issue. There currently is no estimated time the train will be on display again. Check back here for further updates on the status of the Ghost Train.
Overview
The Ghost Train is an artistic sensory experience at the Oak Leaf Trail Bridge and Capitol Drive in Shorewood. It made its inaugural run on October 31, 2016. This first-of-its kind public art installation will enable visitors to travel back in history, imagining the round-trip journey of the 'Twin Cities 400' which was operated by the Chicago & North Western Railway and crossed that same location from 1935-1963. Touted as the fastest passenger train in the world, the Chicago & North Western Railway's '400' routinely covered the 400 miles between Chicago and St. Paul, MN in just under 400 minutes - including its travel through Shorewood along the route of today's Oak Leaf Trail. The Ghost Train is the next phase of an exciting long-term public art vision for Shorewood, which encompasses a partnership between the Public Art Shorewood Committee and the Shorewood Historical Society to make this project happen.
Design & Engineering
The Ghost Train designer is Marty Peck, principal of Creative Lighting Design & Engineering, which is a Germantown-based firm specializing in the expressive use of light in architecture. Through innovative lighting and sound technology, Peck created the allusion of a Ghost Train crossing the bridge twice each evening to recall the schedule, speed and drama of the passing of this historic 400 train. At other times the bridge will have a subtler artistic illumination. Both the Ghost Train and bridge lighting will be a permanent installation.
Ghost Train Committee
A big thank you to the entire Ghost Train Committee for their coordination efforts. Their work entailed 18 months of volunteering their time to coordinate the vision and execution of the Ghost Train project. The following individuals served on the Ghost Train Committee:
Pat Algiers | Diane Buck | Bob Dean | Dick Eschner |
Karen de Hartog | Doris Heiser | Jon Krouse | Vida Langenkamp |
Marian Nasgovitz | Bill Nasgovitz | Lucia Petrie |
Ghost Train "Departing" Times
The Ghost train will be active twice each night, going northbound and southbound mimicking the actual '400' train. The times below and in the graphic to the right indicate when the train will be in action.
Winter Months (September 1 to March 31)
- Northbound - 7:00 PM
- Southbound - 7:15 PM
Summer Months (April 1 to August 31)
- Northbound - 9:00 PM
- Southbound - 9:15 PM
Ghost Train Holiday Express
- Month of December
- Every day
- 7:30 PM
Ghost Train - Circus Train
- Special train engineered by Marty Peck from April through August
- Train will be more colorful and have some unusual fun sounds
- Every Saturday at 9:30 PM
Night of the Ghost Train Celebration
Shorewood is coordinating a new, fun and exciting annual tradition. Every October 31, the Village will celebrate the "Night of the Ghost Train." On Halloween, residents can attend a celebration from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Corner Bakery parking lot to enjoy the festivities.
There will be a kids costume contest, ghost stories, free refreshments (while they last), and a Ghost Train program. We will have a special Ghost Train run at 8 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. for everyone to enjoy! Make sure to come out and enjoy this new community tradition. The event is sponsored by Corner Bakery Shorewood Cafe, Culver's, and North Shore Bank.
Night of the Ghost Train Flyer (PDF)
Ghost Train Stories from Lake Bluff Elementary Students (PDF)
Read "The Ghost Train - Revealed," written by Ghost Train Light Engineer Marty Peck.
News & Media on the Ghost Train
The following links are articles and news stories featuring the Ghost Train.
CODAmagazine
July 2017
Flipboard Website
FOX 6 NOW
October 31, 2016
Fox 6 Now Website
North Shore Now
October 26, 2016
Journal Sentinel Website
Shepherd Express
October 26, 2016
Shepherd Express Website
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
October 25, 2016
Journal Sentinel Website
Shorewood Today article
July 18, 2016
Shorewood News
TMJ4 News 'the Now' story
June 28, 2016
TMJ 4 Website
WUWM Radio Spot
May 2, 2016
WUWM Website
Shorewood Ripples article
April 13, 2016
Shorewood Ripples Website
Milwaukee Magazine article
April 12, 2016
Milwaukee Mag Website
Urban Milwaukee article
April 8, 2016
Urban Milwaukee Website
Shorewood Historical Society Newsletter article
April 7, 2016
Shorewood History Article (PDF)
Milwaukee BizTimes article
March 11, 2016
Biz Times Website
OnMilwaukee article
March 10, 2016
On Milwaukee Website
Shorewood NOW article
March 9, 2016
Shorewood Now Website
Milwaukee Independent
Milwaukee Independent Website