09/07/2026
“The kids call me ‘the train guy!’
I retired from Midwest Carriers in August 2024. I drove a semi for 14 years. For a while, I drove all over, but near the end, I was mainly going from Wisconsin to Virginia. I'd take cheese and food products there and bring World Market products back. Virginia was about 1,100 miles away, so it was 2,200 miles round trip in five days. You gotta like driving.
After I retired, I spent some time relaxing. Then I wanted to find something a little more productive than sitting around. Last fall, I saw a picture of the new Menominee Park train in the Oshkosh Herald. Around April, I went down to the Parks Department and applied for the job. So now I'm still driving. It's just a much shorter route.
Technically, I'm both the engineer and the conductor. The engineer drives the train. I'm the conductor when I'm taking tickets and letting people on and off. The old trains used to have both, but I do both jobs. I wanted to keep that conductor role for the kids. I bought the overalls and conductor's hat. I'm the only one who doesn't have to wear the Oshkosh staff shirt. I thought the outfit would make it more fun and authentic for them. It's like being an actor. You want to have the real gear. I have a brass whistle and a pocket watch, too.
Sometimes the kids have little wooden whistles they've bought, and they'll blow theirs. Then I'll blow my brass whistle back at them. Before we leave, I yell, ‘All aboard!’ Then I'll call, ‘Last call for the 11:50!’
I like being outside. I've always liked the park. But the biggest part for me is making it fun and family friendly for the kids and families. Yeah, I drove a semi for 14 years. I guess I still like driving.”
(Grace’s Note: After years of long-haul driving 18-wheelers across the country, Paul Van Laarhoven had certainly earned the right to sit back and enjoy retirement. Instead, he traded the open road for a route around Menominee Park.
What’s your favorite Menominee Park memory? Tell us in the comments. For more information about Menominee Park Train, please visit https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/Parks/MenomineeParkTrain/)
