Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Quick Facts

Railroad NameMid-Continent Railway Museum
Websitehttps://www.midcontinent.org/
Train rideDiesel powered passenger train through scenic Wisconsin countryside, over Ex-Chicago and Northwestern line
LocationE8948 Museum Road North Freedom, WI 53951
Length of trip55 minute trip
Cost of single ticket$24.00
Special TrainsDinner 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

LocomotiveTypeBuilderNotes
13854-6-0ALCO 1907Ex-CNW currently being restored
14-6-0Montreal 1913Ex-Western Coal & Coke Out of service
92-6-0Baldwin 1884Ex-Dardanelle & Russellville Out of service
92-truck ShayLima 1909Ex- Goodman Lumber Co. Restoration
292-8-0ALCO 1907Ex-Copper Range Display
492-8-0ALCO 1929Ex-Kewaunee Green Bay & Western. Display
26454-6-0Brooks 1900Ex-Soo Line Display
222-8-0ALCO 1910Ex- Lake Superior & Ishpeming Display
7010-4-0ALCO 1914Ex-Consumer Co. Display First loco museum acquired.
1256RS-4-TC-A1BLH 1954Ex-US Army Operational
1001NW2EMD 1949Ex-Domtar Operational
7S-1ALCO 1944Ex- John Morrell & Co. Meat Packing Operational
445-TonGE 1943Ex-US Navy
988RSC-2ALCO 1947Ex 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.

Affiliate Link

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.

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Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA9IW2a5fm8