Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway in Marshall, Wisconsin
Outdoor rail parkTrain ridesOpen May to September, plus Pumpkin Train weekends in October
Little Amerricka is a family amusement park in Marshall built around restored rides from classic parks of the past, and its Whiskey River Railway, a 16-inch gauge miniature line, carries riders through two miles of Wisconsin countryside.
- 16-inch gauge Whiskey River Railway
- Two miles of countryside
- Park opened in 1991
- Pumpkin Train in October
- 26 rides and attractions
Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal, generally noon to 5, 6 or 7 pm in summer; check the operating calendar and call (608) 655-3181 to confirm
- Admission
- Wristbands and single ride tickets; see the park's admission page for current prices
- Train rides
- Whiskey River Railway, a 16-inch gauge train on two miles of track; Pumpkin Train in October from $10 including a pumpkin
- Seasonal events
- Pumpkin Train, Railroad Day
- Plan for
- Half a day for the full park
- Best for
- Young families and miniature steam fans
- Best ages
- Toddlers to early teens
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address700 East Main Street, Marshall, WI 53559(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(608) 620-5224
- Emailinfo@littleamerricka.com
- Alsobooking@littleamerricka.com
- Websitelittleamerricka.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Marshall.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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A vintage-ride park with its own railroad
Little Amerricka opened in Marshall, east of Madison, in 1991 and has grown into a compact park of about 10 acres with 26 rides and attractions. Its specialty is restored rides from classic amusement parks of a bygone era, including the Meteor, a 1950s wooden roller coaster that has been relocated twice.
The Whiskey River Railway is the park's 16-inch gauge miniature train, running through two miles of natural Wisconsin countryside. On special railroad days the line becomes a showcase for grand scale steam: the park's Facebook page described multiple steam locomotives in service on July 18, 2026, along with a free model train and railroad swap meet on the grounds, and a railway fan page noted all four of the big grand scale locomotives carrying passengers at a past Railroad Day. Details about the railway's history and roster are not posted on the park's website, so check its Facebook page for upcoming steam days.
A countryside loop behind a miniature train
The Whiskey River Railway is one ride in a full amusement park, so a visit usually mixes the train with the Meteor, smaller coasters, go-karts and miniature golf. In October the park switches to the Pumpkin Train, a scenic ride through the park that ends with picking a pumpkin to take home, while only the Meteor and mini golf stay open alongside it.
Don’t miss
- Whiskey River RailwayA 16-inch gauge train through two miles of countryside, the reason rail fans come to Marshall.
- Railroad Day steamOn special days, grand scale steam locomotives pull passenger trains on the line.
- The MeteorA twice-relocated 1950s wooden roller coaster, the park's signature restored ride.
Made for young families
The park says it is perfect for young families, with wristbands sorted by height so kids can tell which rides fit them, though teens and adults have plenty to do too. The train ride suits all ages, and the October Pumpkin Train is an easy, low-key outing for toddlers. Birthday packages for six or more include a tent for the day, food, a quarter sheet cake and a wristband for each guest.
Plan your visit: tips for Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway
- In bad weather the park decides by noon whether to open, so call ahead.
- During Pumpkin Train weekends only the Meteor and mini golf run alongside the train.
- Groups of 15 or more save $3 per wristband, with no reservation needed.
- Watch the park's Facebook page for steam days on the Whiskey River Railway.
On select October weekends the park runs only its Pumpkin Train (plus the Meteor and mini golf), a scenic ride through the grounds where every rider picks a pumpkin to take home, starting at $10 as of October 2026. It is a gentle fall outing for small kids. For more seasonal rides, see our roundup of Halloween and pumpkin train rides in Wisconsin.
A family park with a train-loving following
Little Amerricka is a privately run amusement park, and the Whiskey River Railway has its own fan following, including a Facebook page devoted to its 16-inch gauge steam. You can support it by visiting, booking a birthday or group outing, or buying a season pass.
Rail history near Madison
The Wisconsin Historical Society railroad collection in Madison is about 18 miles away. For full-size trains, the East Troy Railroad Museum is about 42 miles southeast and the Mid-Continent Railway Museum about 46 miles northwest. For more, see train museums across Wisconsin.
- Milwaukee Road Historical AssociationWisconsin, WI · about 17 mi
- Wisconsin Historical Society railroad collectionMadison, WI · about 18 mi
- Wisconsin Automotive Museum railway exhibitsHartford, WI · about 36 mi
- Brodhead Historical Society Depot MuseumBrodhead, WI · about 41 mi
- East Troy Railroad MuseumEast Troy, WI · about 42 mi
- Mid-Continent Railway MuseumNorth Freedom, WI · about 46 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The Pumpkin Train here ends with every child carrying home a pumpkin, which makes me think of Rally packing for his own train trip. He insists on his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, and nothing else matters. Kids know exactly what is worth bringing home. My children are learning to read with that page now. You can print Rally and his bag from our coloring pages.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Wisconsin: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Wisconsin
- Halloween train rides in Wisconsin
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway official website(opens in a new tab)
- Little Amerricka / Whiskey River Railway on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Little Amerricka and the Whiskey River Railway: 20 questions
What is the Whiskey River Railway at Little Amerricka?
The Whiskey River Railway is a 16-inch gauge miniature train at Little Amerricka amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin. The park describes it as two miles of natural Wisconsin countryside, and it is one of 26 rides and attractions. On special days, grand scale steam locomotives pull its passenger trains.
Where is Little Amerricka?
Little Amerricka is at 700 East Main Street, Marshall, WI 53559, in Dane County east of Madison. The park's website has a Directions page, and you can call (608) 620-5224 or email info@littleamerricka.com with questions about getting there.
When is Little Amerricka open?
The park runs a seasonal operating calendar from May through October 2026, with typical hours of noon to 5, 6 or 7 pm depending on the day, and some 10 am to 4 pm days. October weekends are Pumpkin Train only. The park asks visitors to call (608) 655-3181 to confirm hours before heading out.
How much does Little Amerricka cost?
Little Amerricka sells wristbands and single ride tickets, with wristband colors based on height. Current prices are posted on the park's Admission pages rather than its home page. Groups of 15 or more paid guests get $3 off each wristband. Call (608) 620-5224 for the latest pricing.
Does the Whiskey River Railway use steam locomotives?
On special days, yes. The park's Facebook page announced multiple steam locomotives on the Whiskey River Railway on July 18, 2026, and a fan page reported all four big grand scale locomotives in passenger service at a past Railroad Day. Follow the park on Facebook to learn when steam is scheduled.
What is the Little Amerricka Pumpkin Train?
The Pumpkin Train runs on select October weekends. Riders take a scenic train ride through the park and pick a pumpkin to take home. As of October 2026 prices start at $10, including the ride and pumpkin. Only the Meteor coaster and mini golf run alongside it, weather permitting.
Does Little Amerricka hold a railroad day?
Yes, the park has hosted railroad days featuring grand scale steam on the Whiskey River Railway. On July 18, 2026, it ran multiple steam locomotives from noon to 5 pm and hosted a free model train and railroad swap show. Watch the park's Facebook page for future dates.
How long is the Whiskey River Railway ride?
The park describes the ride as covering two miles of natural Wisconsin countryside, but it does not post a ride time. Plan for a relaxed loop, and allow extra time on busy days or steam days when riders may line up for the train.
When did Little Amerricka open?
Little Amerricka opened in 1991. It sits on about 10 acres in Marshall and has grown to 26 rides and attractions, many of them restored rides from classic amusement parks, including the Meteor, a 1950s wooden roller coaster that has been relocated twice.
Is Little Amerricka good for toddlers?
Yes. The park says it is perfect for young families, and wristbands are sorted by height so kids ride what fits them. The train and the October Pumpkin Train are easy picks for toddlers. Teens and adults will also find rides, including the Meteor coaster and go-karts.
Can you have a birthday party at Little Amerricka?
Yes. With at least six guests, the birthday package includes a birthday tent for the day, food for each guest, a quarter sheet cake and a height-based wristband, at $24 per guest as of October 2026. Book through the park's online group information form.
Does Little Amerricka offer group discounts?
Yes. Groups with 15 to 49 paid guests receive $3 off each wristband, and no reservation is required, though the park can prepare passes ahead of time if you call or email. All wristbands must be bought at once. Larger groups and school groups have separate pages on the park's website.
Is Little Amerricka open in bad weather?
The park decides whether to open on days with bad weather any time up until noon that day. Always call (608) 655-3181 to confirm the park's hours before planning your outing, especially if storms are in the forecast.
What other rides are at Little Amerricka?
Besides the Whiskey River Railway, the park has 26 rides and attractions, including the Meteor wooden roller coaster, several small coasters, go-karts and a miniature golf course. Many are restored rides from classic amusement parks of the past.
Does Little Amerricka have miniature golf?
Yes. The park has a miniature golf course, listed as 19 holes on its calendar page and 18 holes in other descriptions. It stays open during Pumpkin Train weekends in October, weather permitting, alongside the Meteor.
Does Little Amerricka sell season passes?
Yes, the park lists season passes on its Admission menu. Details and prices are on the website, and you can call (608) 620-5224 or email info@littleamerricka.com to ask whether a season pass makes sense for your family.
Is there food at Little Amerricka?
Yes. The park has a Food and Drink page on its website, and birthday packages include food for every guest. Check the website or call (608) 620-5224 for current menu details and the park's policies on outside food.
How do I contact Little Amerricka?
Call the park at (608) 620-5224 or email info@littleamerricka.com. Groups can write to booking@littleamerricka.com. To confirm same-day hours, the park's calendar asks visitors to call (608) 655-3181. Its mailing address is 700 East Main Street, Marshall, WI 53559.
Is Little Amerricka on Facebook?
Yes. The park posts news, hours updates and special events such as steam days on its Facebook page, facebook.com/littleamerricka. A separate fan page for the Whiskey River Railway shares photos of its 16-inch gauge steam locomotives.
What train museums are near Little Amerricka?
The Milwaukee Road Historical Association is listed about 17 miles away and the Wisconsin Historical Society railroad collection in Madison about 18 miles. The Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, home of Soo Line locomotive No. 1003, is about 36 miles, and the East Troy Railroad Museum about 42 miles.
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