On Tuesday, August 20, the Spirit Of Wisconsin passenger train with E-9 #71A leading, collided with a loaded milk truck near the city of Muscoda, WI. The accident happened at approximately 2:20 PM. The driver of the truck only received minor injuries (scratched finger) and walked away from the heavily damaged truck. The locomotive sustained damage to the right side of the pilot and nose. The driver of the truck entered the grade crossing before he realized the train was coming. After hearing the train's horn, he attempted to back the truck off the tracks, but not before the train hit the front-most section of the truck. The accident is still under investigation.

Also,
In a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the City of Middleton Common Council decided to suspend all further "Spirit Of Wisconsin" passenger train operations effective immediately. They cited "gross mismanagement" which lead to an operating deficit of approximately 1/2 million dollars as the main reason for the decision.

Haven't heard if these two events are related, although I'm sure it won't be cheap to repair the 71A.

Allan

Spirit of Wisconsin
ddg14@attbi.com

Below is a link to an article concerning the city of Middleton's decision to shut down the train.

Unfortunately, little is said about the incident.

Todd Jones
IRM Diesel

Capital Times article

milw104c@charter.net