SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE:
Following a major accident at the intersection next to the Ghost Train, the power was cut to the train. We are waiting for the village to install the needed item to restore power, and in the meantime, the display will be off. Thank you for your patience!
(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
History
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.
Did you know that the Ghost Train runs on love?
Run by our completely volunteer organization, the Ghost Train's new programming, coordination of maintenance calls, and events are done by volunteers! All donations will go directly to physical maintenance to ensure our community can enjoy it for years to come.
If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution towards the Ghost Train or any future Public Arts Committee projects, you may do so through the Shorewood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Please enter Shorewood Public Arts in the “add a note” line.
Ghost Train Lighting Requests
Would you like to see the Ghost Train lit in custom colors for an evening for your cause? Please complete the nearby form to make your request. 30 days notice at a minimum is required.
The Public Arts Committee will review all requests at our monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month with the following criteria:
Does this request illuminate people and/or organizations in our Shorewood community?
Does our light schedule allow for this request?
Does the committee have the time, people and resources to deliver the request?
If we are able to accommodate your request, we will contact you following that month’s meeting.
Ghost Train Committee
A huge 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