Fish by Rail - Wisconsin Fish Commission Badger #2 Fish Car

Railroads helped build this country – but did you know that they were also important to early fish stocking in Wisconsin?  Before the improvements in our road systems, fish were transported for stocking in the luxury of custom designed rail cars.Making its debut in 1912, the Wisconsin Fish Commission Badger #2 fish car was among dozens of state and federal fish cars operating throughout the nation and was the second official fish car used by the state of Wisconsin. In operation for 33 years from 1912 until 1945, the Badger #2 traveled millions of miles and transported hundreds of millions of fish fry, eggs and fingerlings to hatcheries, sportsmen’s clubs and special exhibitions around the state. However, by the 1930’s, hatcheries were utilizing trucks as a more efficient means of transporting fish.

The Badger #2 Fish Car in its earlier days.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum Photo

Fish Car Restoration

Over the last two decades, Mid-Continent Railway Museum's members and volunteers have been working to restore the Badger #2 to its original 1912 condition as time and funds allowed, including replacing the roof, exterior siding and windows.

Not only is the Badger #2 a unique artifact of railroad history, but it is also the sole survivor of a unique era in the history of Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources. It may in fact be the only remaining original fish car in the nation.  For more information or to donate to this ambitious restoration effort, please visit the Mid-Continent Railway Museum [exit DNR] Web site or call (800) 930-1385.

Builder's Photo of Badger #2 Fish Car taken shortly before delivery
Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Pullman Photograph Collection

• Badger #2 Fish Car History [PDF 1.3MB]

Badger #2 Exhibit

The exhibit "When Fish Rode the Rails" chronicles the Badger #2's story. The exhibit debuted at the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair and will reside at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI by the Spring of 2008. In the meantime, you can view the exhibit in the links below.

A coloring page, "Scales on Rails" complements the exhibit.

Read more about it:

Across the Trestles of Time - December 2006 issue of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine

For specific information about the Badger Fish Car Restoration, please contact Don Meyer, Mid-Continent Railway Museum