You are invited to spend the afternoon on open-air train cars trundling through the remote braided waters of the Chippewa River as it approaches the Mississippi. 

Tiffany Wildlife Area is a 13,000-acre property in Buffalo and Pepin counties and features diverse, abundant wildlife habitat. Split by the lower Chippewa River, the area contains one of the state's largest contiguous bottomland hardwood forests. Beaver dams on sloughs and old river meanders create a maze of ponds and wetlands. Oak barrens also occur within this matrix of floodplain habitat. Steep bluffs rise above the Chippewa River, featuring oak forest, savanna, and remnant prairies. This variety in habitat, composition, and structure provides food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife including deer, waterfowl, and beaver. The lower Chippewa River area is among the most diverse in Wisconsin. Over 75 percent of the state’s breeding bird species and 50 percent of its native plants are found here.  

Come learn about the history of this special habitat, enjoy the spring birds migrating through, and let the railroad volunteers regale you with stories of the trains in the Tiffany.

We will rumble along at a leisurely pace, stopping for short hikes in the woods and prairie lands, and viewing special landmarks. There is no drinking water available on this trip, so bring a water bottle or two.  There is no bathroom at the parking lot, so you may want to make a pit stop before arriving.  The train does include a port-a-potty.

When: 

Saturday, May 9 from 1:15 to approximately 5 p.m.  Our return time may be flexible depending on our adventures!

Where: 

Starts and ends at Tiffany Wildlife Area parking lot. See the pin on Google Maps here. 

From Durand, take State Hwy 25 South approximately 4 miles. As you travel south from Durand, you will notice that Hwy 25 parallels an old railroad track on the west (right) side of the road. Approximately 4 miles south of Durand, Thibodeau Road comes to a T with Hwy 25. As you travel south on Hwy 25, look for the parking lot on your right (to the west) right before you reach Thibodeau Road.

We will depart on the antique open air railroad cars from here. There will be temporary signs along the road for the parking area.

Registration: 

Please register here >>>

Seating is limited to 65-70 people and registration closes May 4. 

Cost: 

Tickets are $25 per person to cover the expenses of the Chippewa Valley Motor Car Association. Children 12 and under are free. Additional donations will support our work fighting for clean drinking water, clean energy, and a healthy democracy.

What to wear: 

This trip is rain or shine, and most of the rail cars are open air, so dress accordingly.  We may be walking in bushy areas, as well as wet areas. Long pants, long sleeves, a hat, and footwear suitable for wet conditions are recommended. 

What to bring: 

There is not much storage area on the train cars, so keep your things compact. Things to bring include water and snacks for yourself, insect repellent, binoculars, field guides, something soft to sit on, and a set of dry clothes and shoes to leave in your car.

What to know: 

This trip is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, although due to the length of the trip and the open-air cars, we caution against young children.  The hikes are relatively short (less than a mile) but may include rough terrain and short steep slopes.

For folks who wish to extend their stay in the Durand area:

The Cobblestone Inn offers a 20 percent discount to Tiffany train riders. Call them directly at (715) 672-5055 to make reservations and be sure to mention the train trip. To learn more about the Cobblestone Inn, visit their website. 

Learn more about the Tiffany Wildlife Area, and find maps at the DNR website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/tiffany 

Learn more about the Chippewa Valley Motor Car Association at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CVMCARR/