I just spent Thanksgiving week with my family, including my retired civil engineer freight railroading specialist father and two kids who enjoy trains nearly as much as I do, in a house on first street in Pepin, WI, right across the street from the BNSF (ex Burlington) line. Between the trains you can see eagles on the shore of Lake Pepin just beyond the tracks, enjoy a pleasant little village, visit the old Burlington depot (moved to a part a few blocks inland/uphill from the tracks), buy food in the lovely little Fresh Market (including local scones and bread), check out some tinware and ironwork at nearby shops, see some railroad artifacts on the walls in the local public library, and generally have a good time even for folks who mysteriously don't love trains. The house can be rented through Verbo. It's not mine; I'm not advertising it, just passing on a tip. PM me for it's name if you aren't sure you've found the right one. 
