Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Railroad Name | Mid-Continent Railway Museum |
| Website | https://www.midcontinent.org/ |
| Train ride | Diesel powered passenger train through scenic Wisconsin countryside, over Ex-Chicago and Northwestern line |
| Location | E8948 Museum Road North Freedom, WI 53951 |
| Length of trip | 55 minute trip |
| Cost of single ticket | $24.00 |
| Special Trains | Dinner trains Vintage rail car tours Autumn color trains Pumpkin Trains Santa Express |
Information/History
The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is a popular tourist destination located in North Freedom, Wisconsin, USA. It is a railroad museum and operating railroad that offers a unique experience to visitors, including a train ride through the scenic countryside of southern Wisconsin.
The railroad was established in 1963 by a group of volunteers who wanted to preserve the history of the railroads in the Midwest. The museum was originally located in the town of Sauk City, but it was later moved to its current location in North Freedom. The museum is situated on a 63-acre site, which includes a restored train depot, a large collection of historic locomotives and passenger cars, and several historic buildings.
The history of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum can be traced back to the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, which owned the railroad that ran through North Freedom. The line was originally built in the late 1800s to transport goods and people between Chicago and Minneapolis. The railroad was an important part of the region’s economy and played a significant role in the development of many small towns and communities.
In the early 1900s, the line was electrified, and passenger service was introduced. The railroad operated daily passenger trains until the 1950s, when it became less profitable due to the increasing popularity of automobiles and trucks. The line was eventually abandoned in the 1960s, and the tracks were removed.
The Mid-Continent Railway Museum acquired a section of the abandoned railroad and began restoring it in the 1960s. Today, the museum operates a 7-mile section of the railroad, which includes a historic wooden trestle bridge, a tunnel, and several other features.
Visitors to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum can take a train ride on a historic steam locomotive or a diesel locomotive. The train ride takes passengers through the scenic countryside of southern Wisconsin, past farms, fields, and small towns. The museum also offers a variety of special events and activities throughout the year, including train robberies, murder mystery dinners, and holiday-themed rides.
The locomotives and passenger cars used by the Mid-Continent Railway Museum are all historic and have been restored to their original condition. The museum’s steam locomotive, No. 1385, was built in 1907 and was used on the Chicago and North Western Railway until the 1950s. The passenger cars include both open-air cars and enclosed cars, all of which have been restored to their original condition.
In addition to the train ride, there are several other local attractions near the Mid-Continent Railway Museum. These include the Circus World Museum, the International Crane Foundation, and the Wisconsin Dells, a popular tourist destination known for its waterparks and attractions.
Notable Roster
| Locomotive | Type | Builder | Notes |
| 1385 | 4-6-0 | ALCO 1907 | Ex-CNW currently being restored |
| 1 | 4-6-0 | Montreal 1913 | Ex-Western Coal & Coke Out of service |
| 9 | 2-6-0 | Baldwin 1884 | Ex-Dardanelle & Russellville Out of service |
| 9 | 2-truck Shay | Lima 1909 | Ex- Goodman Lumber Co. Restoration |
| 29 | 2-8-0 | ALCO 1907 | Ex-Copper Range Display |
| 49 | 2-8-0 | ALCO 1929 | Ex-Kewaunee Green Bay & Western. Display |
| 2645 | 4-6-0 | Brooks 1900 | Ex-Soo Line Display |
| 22 | 2-8-0 | ALCO 1910 | Ex- Lake Superior & Ishpeming Display |
| 701 | 0-4-0 | ALCO 1914 | Ex-Consumer Co. Display First loco museum acquired. |
| 1256 | RS-4-TC-A1 | BLH 1954 | Ex-US Army Operational |
| 1001 | NW2 | EMD 1949 | Ex-Domtar Operational |
| 7 | S-1 | ALCO 1944 | Ex- John Morrell & Co. Meat Packing Operational |
| 4 | 45-Ton | GE 1943 | Ex-US Navy |
| 988 | RSC-2 | ALCO 1947 | Ex Milwaukee Road Out of service |
Getting There
The nearest Amtrak station to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum is located in Columbus, Wisconsin, which is approximately 20 miles away. The Amtrak Empire Builder line stops in Columbus twice daily, once in each direction.
The nearest commercial airport to the museum is the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, which is approximately 40 miles away. Visitors can rent a car at the airport and drive to the museum.
For visitors driving to the museum, it is located on State Highway 33 in North Freedom, Wisconsin, approximately 25 miles west of Baraboo, Wisconsin. From the east or west, visitors can take Interstate 90/94 to the Highway 33 exit and head west. From the north or south, visitors can take State Highway 12 to State Highway 33 and head west. The museum has ample parking available for visitors.
