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Danielle,

We have been on seven wagon trains over the past 25 years. Four were organized by a group in Wisconsin, one in Iowa with assistance from the WI group, one in Minnesota that was organized by people that had experience and one in Iowa that seemed like it may have been quickly put together, although it was a three day trip. Six of these trains required period dress, and also required vehicles without pneumatic tires. So these notes are from my experiences and observations and critical thinking about it if I was to plan one.

Planning the sites to see might help to dictate the route, although several of the trains used a historic route as the base of the trip (followed as closely as present roads allowed).

Once you have decided on the general route, maybe a consult the road authorities to find out if there might be construction planned along the route during your time frame. Consult law enforcement to discuss safety concerns on any of the roads/intersections. The decision for traffic control can be made with input from law enforcement. The MN train ran its own traffic control. Some trains only had control in congested areas or heavy traffic and some had no formal traffic control. More later on traffic control.

Depending on the daily distance, stops were mid morning, noon and mid afternoon. The mid morning/afternoon breaks were short breaks to allow potty breaks – so 15 to 20 minutes. Noon break was generally an hour with water available for the animals. The WI trains figured 3 miles an hour travel time (included the short breaks) in order to look for stopping points off road. The short breaks generally happened on the road. The WI trains had a flat bed trailer with 4 to 5 porta-potties that followed the train for these breaks, and was available at camp sites at locations that were not developed. Twenty five miles is a long day. Fifteen is a short day. Been there, done both.

We have camped in pastures, fairgrounds, implement dealers, farm fields nor yet planted and hay fields that were recently harvested. Noon breaks have been at similar locations, but generally do not need to be as large. I remember stopping at a town ball diamond and a few other odd locations.

The more back roads the better – better for the stock and the people on the train. We have gone through busy traffic areas when there was no break in the traffic for half an hour to an hour, and it wears on both. Trails are even better than back roads (if available). Then the only traffic is at crossings or other trail users. On the Plank Road Trail in WI, we encountered skaters and bicyclists, all who waited patiently for us to get by them before proceeding. On another multi use trail in WI we met a couple of ATV’ers that kindly pulled over and shut their machines off. On the whole, truck traffic is the biggest issue in my opinion as it is large and noisy. Our 23 year old mare still gets ansty about big diesels revving to pass, and she was 4 at the time. I remember two cases from that wagon train that involved diesel trucks that probably set the memory in her mind.

If you do a point to point train (rather than daily loops), moving vehicles forward and drivers back needs to be provided. This could be done before traveling for the day, or after. I prefer before as that allows me to care for the stock upon arrival and then rest instead of having to go after the vehicle. The shuttle vehicles have been school buses, vans, transit style buses (casino owned?) and even a stock trailer with bales for seats (one train). One courtesy that I would advise asking drivers to observe is waiting at the corner when they cannot see the following vehicle, and that the last driver know the route and is known by the second to last vehicle. And if possible set up the shuttle route so that the vehicles are turning right into the camping area. (Courtesy for locals going to work.)

Traffic control: Typically law enforcement helps in heavy traffic areas (towns, extremely busy roads or cross roads). On one busy two lane road in WI, law enforcement alternated stopping oncoming/overcoming traffic. One unit in front and one in back. The MN train did basically the same (north of Minneapolis where there were 40,000 people in the unincorporated township of 36 square miles), but with a scout rider about a quarter of a mile in front of the lead wagon and a drag rider. I was the drag rider (with my wife). The instructions were to impede oncoming traffic as little as possible, while moving overcoming traffic past as quickly as possible. We had radios. I would let scout know that I had traffic and scout would hold oncoming traffic until I gave all clear. On one two lane road (Twixt Town Rd.) just before noon, we had about what seemed like 45 minutes of holding traffic at one end or the other. Traffic behind the train maintained a consistent 20 to 30 cars. I had to meter the cars so that the last car could get back into the right hand lane before getting to scout. So drag needs to be able to see scout and the front wagon and be able to judge the speed differential and the gap.

Four lane roads have their own issues, but do allow overtaking traffic to continue at reduced speed. In MN on the four lanes, drag rode to the left of the wagons (wagons as far right as possible) and used a hand signal to indicate pass at a reasonable speed. Basically a palm down hand moving down. Left turns on 4 lanes are best set up before getting to the corner. Moving the train from right lane to left lane is best done by everyone moving left at the same time. Drag holds traffic and a signal is given from front and rear. Everyone veers left at the same time. Radios helped coordinate the signal. Overtaking traffic can then pass the train on the right for the short distance to the corner. We practiced this once or twice on a nature preserve gravel road.

On rural roads, having the last rider signal when all are ready after a break is helpful. A wave of the hat will suffice. And on low traffic count roads, traffic control is not as important; traffic can pass when safe.

Other thoughts:

Once you know the route, give it to law enforcement and emergency medical services, just in case.

Find out the veterinarians in the area and contact them to see if they are willing to service out of area stock. If so, compile their contact information. Farriers as well.

Find out if you need to maintain copies of health and EIA tests. Your veterinarian may know, or contact the state veterinarian.

A sag wagon (empty trailer) was used behind the drag rider on the MN train. I don’t remember that it was used. But it ran its 4 way flashers, giving overtaking traffic a heads up. The porta-potty trailer served this function on the WI trains. I think that both had a sign asking to pass slowly. We did have a heavy horse go down on one WI train (overheated). The trail boss was a veterinarian, and had some supplies, and the home owner nearby allowed buckets to be filled. We waited a while after the horse got up for the trailer. (Another teamster was driving 4 up and loaned the lead team to take the wagon for the remainder of the trip - one more day).

Providing food at the campsites is a great perk for participants, especially if the train is more than 2 or 3 days (ice longevity in coolers). One train had a chuck wagon come in from Terre Haute and he provided breakfast and supper. Lunch was pack your own. We carried jerky, granola bars, apples and water. The later WI trains generally provided breakfast and supper and arranged for food available for purchase at the noon stop. Sometimes the noon meal is a fund raiser for a church or youth group (Scouts, 4-H). Generally, they want an approximate head count the evening prior to the stop.

Some trains had walkers (the majority of immigrants on the 1800’s trains walked and oxen were the animal of choice), and generally had some provision for the walkers to ride in a wagon as a break, or had a trolley (horse or motor vehicle pulled) for this purpose. The train only moves as fast as the slowest participant. By that thought, do not put a fast team in the lead position. Most people night try to condition their stock, but few will use their stock as much as you do, and you do not want to wear out the others the first day.

Trains traveling for more than a week might want a rest day. The WI train that traveled from Prairie du Chien to Green Bay in 1998 had a rest day about half way there. The wagon master was told to have only one rest day, not two, in order to avoid problems (mostly people issues by the sound of it).

Pricing for this is generally per person per day. A short train might be a flat fee for the whole thing.

Check with your insurance agent for special event insurance. Then if the company needs names of participants, you have your registration deadline.

My ideal wagon train would be one where there would not be a need to shuttle vehicles. Either day loops, or staged so that it would be a multi-day loop, with stock feed staged at the camps.

I am willing to clarify any of the preceding and brainstorm with you as you work through the process.

Neal in Iowa


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Danielle,

I would also be willing to ask the WI group leader if he would allow you to contact him with questions.

Neal in Iowa


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

The long response has a paragraph in the middle that seems to be truncated the first loading. A refresh of the screen has shown the post in its entirety.

Neal in Iowa


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Probably not what you need but have been on what we call Wagon rides. Very informal get together and are one day events. Minimal planning, no rules, simply people driving wagons down trails and or rural roads. Very informal. Usually some type of meal /potluck afterward.


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Neil, thank you very much for that post! It is right on par with the types of things I was brainstorming, but very informative!! I am in the very early brainstorming phase right now, but I think this could be very feasible. I may have to start throwing out some feelers to see who might be willing to help out with logistics. I would love to figure out a way to make it a very educational event, so I will have to brainstorm that as well. Thanks again!


4 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum