Mid-Continent Railway Museum

⭐️Experience the beauty of Mid-Continent Railway Museum's restorations up close in North Freedom WI!⭐️

For this weekend only (September 28th and 29th) enter normally locked doors and take a tour inside several exquisitely restored railcars! From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, knowledgeable restoration volunteers will be on hand inside the cars to give life to the cars’ history and share details of the restoration process.

After learning about the finished products of Mid-Continent’s restoration efforts, visitors can tour the Museum's Car Shop to see where the restoration work is carried out by Mid-Continent’s skilled volunteers.

Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity! Book your tickets using the link: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/midcontinent/items/288371/calendar/2024/09/?full-items=yes&back=https://www.midcontinent.org/&g4=yes

🍂 Climb aboard the Pumpkin Special at Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI. Make your way to Quartzite Lake, where pumpkins from a local farmer await your arrival. Choosing your future jack-o-lantern has never been more fun! 🍂

This train departs Oct. 19th & 20th, it is one of the busiest trains of the year, so be sure to book using this link soon: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/midcontinent/items/286474/calendar/2024/10/?full-items=yes&back=https://www.midcontinent.org/&g4=yes

Pumpkin purchase optional - all pumpkins are under $7.00 and cash only - not included in train fare.

Life is relentless change and that certainly includes locomotive restoration projects. Here are some photos of our C&NW #1385 steam locomotive. Can you spot the changes to the locomotive between these sets of photos?

In order for the locomotive to be accepted into service by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) we must complete what is known as the FRA Form 4. The Form 4 is a compilation of calculations and reference documentation to mathematically prove our boiler is safe to operate.

As Mid-Continent’s 1385 Task Group began reviewing calculations for the Form 4 around this time last year, suspected design deficiencies were found. To get a second and more experienced opinion MCRM partnered with FMW Solutions who confirmed the Task Group’s suspicions.

It was determined that three issues existed: 1) six staybolts in the firebox were too small, 2) most of the staybolts in the firebox extended too far into the fire space, and 3) the transverse arch tubes between the sides of the firebox and the crownsheet of the firebox were unworkable.

The 1385 Task Group immediately got to work addressing the deficiencies and all three items were corrected by June 2024. To learn more about the design issues and how they were addressed, read the full update on our website’s Steam Status page: https://www.midcontinent.org/category/cnw-1385/

Since June when the above-mentioned modifications were completed, work on C&NW 1385 has continued moving forward, including performing preliminary hydrostatic testing of the boiler, as reported in previous updates. We are getting ever closer to 1385’s return to the rails at North Freedom!

Mid-Continent Railway Museum's phones have been down today (Friday, Sept. 13th) due to a service outage in our area. Callers have been receiving a busy signal. Regardless of whether our phones are working by this weekend, we will be open Saturday and Sunday as scheduled from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with train rides departing at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM both days.

Tickets can be purchased online (link to website below) or at our North Freedom (Wis) depot. We are located at E8948 Museum Road, North Freedom, WI 53951.

Reservations are not required this weekend, but are suggested if you wish to ride in either the caboose or locomotive rather than the coach cars.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Mid-Continent Railway Museum is an operating railroad recreating, preserving, and interpreting the Golden Age of Railroading.

🍂 On Saturday, October 19th, climb aboard Mid-Continent's 1915 era rail cars in North Freedom, Wisconsin and enjoy a hot cup of apple cider and a donut! This new fall-themed train ride departs at 5:00 PM for one day only! 🍂

Tickets are selling fast, reserve your seats using the link: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/midcontinent/items/527226/calendar/2024/10/?flow=1146953&full-items=yes&back=https://www.midcontinent.org/&g4=yes

🚂 All Aboard for a Scenic Autumn Color Adventure! 🚂

On October 5-6 and 12-13, depart from North Freedom, Wisconsin on one of our 1915-era vintage rail cars at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, or 2:30 PM for a leaf-peeping train ride through rural Sauk County. 🌳🚞

Book your tickets here: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/midcontinent/items/286466/calendar/2024/09/?full-items=yes&back=https://www.midcontinent.org/&g4=yes

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! ✨

This September 28th & 29th come see at Mid-Continent Railway Museum the luxury and beauty of rail travel at the turn of the 20th Century with a guided tour of meticulously restored, authentic antique railroad cars.

During the Vintage Rail Car Tours event, go behind normally locked doors of the museum’s exhibits and tour our car shops where our skilled and dedicated volunteers work to bring these beautiful railroad cars back to their original splendor.

Tours run continuously from 10am-5pm during the Vintage Rail Car Tours event weekend. Train rides are available separately. More information and tickets are available at:

Vintage Rail Car Tours - Mid-Continent Railway Museum Enjoy a guided tour inside some of Mid-Continent Railway Museum's finest restored train cars and explore the museum's restoration shop.

🌟🚂 Ties to the Future: Mission Accomplished! 🚂🌟

Friends and supporters of Mid-Continent Railway Museum rose to the challenge and in just 8 days, have donated over $5,000 for new railroad ties for the east end of our rail line where our line interchanges with the Wisconsin & Southern RR. By reaching this goal, it unlocks the $5,000 from the challenge grant made available by an anonymous donor, resulting in over $10,000 raised for this project.

With a major portion of the funding for the new ties now secured, Mid-Continent has proceeded with placing an order for 275 new railroad ties. The ties are expected to arrive at the museum in a few weeks, and it’s anticipated that a rail construction contractor will be able to install the new ties in October.

The ties will cost just under $14,000 plus installation, so the $10,000 raised to date will be an immense help, but will not cover the entire project. Any further donations we receive to this fundraiser will be put to use to cover the remaining tie and installation costs. You can still donate to the project here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DB9BNRE2VMTPL

The impetus for this project and fundraiser is the planned return of the Chicago & North Western #1385 steam locomotive to Mid-Continent Railway Museum. Plans call for the locomotive to be shipped via railroad flatcar from the greater Madison area where it is currently undergoing restoration. Once back on Mid-Continent’s line in North Freedom, WI, the locomotive will go through final assembly, and test runs. The ties paid for by this fundraiser will be installed between the Baraboo River bridge and Mid-Continent’s interchange with the national railroad system, making that portion of the line once again able to handle the weight of the steam locomotive before the locomotive’s arrival. Plans call for the locomotive to be shipped to Mid-Continent in 2025.

🌟 Ties to The Future: A 1385 Project Update! 🌟

As of 9:30 this morning, we are up to $4,301 on our matching grant challenge! That means we're just a little under $700 away from our goal of $5,000! Thank you all so much for your support so far.

Read more about the matching grant here: https://www.midcontinent.org/ties-to-the-future-a-1385-project/

If you are interested in helping us renew our rail connection to the outside world, bringing 1385 home, and taking a step towards exciting new possibilities, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DB9BNRE2VMTPL

🚂 Ties to The Future: A 1385 Project Update! 🚂

As of this morning, we are up to $3,176! We are so close to our goal of $5,000! Thank you to all who have donated so far.

Read more about the matching grant here: https://www.midcontinent.org/ties-to-the-future-a-1385-project/

If you are interested in helping us renew our rail connection to the outside world, bringing 1385 home, and taking a step towards exciting new possibilities, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DB9BNRE2VMTPL

🌟Ties to The Future: A 1385 Project Update!🌟

Less than 24 hours later we are up to $1,850 on our $5,000 matching grant challenge! We greatly appreciate all of your donations thus far.

Read more about the matching grant here: https://www.midcontinent.org/ties-to-the-future-a-1385-project/

If you are interested in helping us renew our rail connection to the outside world, bringing 1385 home, and taking a step towards exciting new possibilities, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DB9BNRE2VMTPL

🚂 Ties to the Future: A 1385 Project 🚂
We’re thrilled to announce a challenge grant of $5,000 from an anonymous donor for new railroad ties. Now we need your help to match the challenge so we can claim the $5,000 grant and get the new ties installed in the coming months.

This isn’t just any track maintenance project. As the Chicago & North Western #1385 steam locomotive restoration project nears completion, one of the major tasks still ahead is transporting the restored locomotive back home to Mid-Continent. Shipping the 1385 home by railroad flat car is the preferred option, but there’s a snag: Mid-Continent’s interchange track is rarely used and many of the ties on that portion of the line are rotted and can’t support the weight of 1385. About 275 new ties are needed to make the interchange safe for use.

If you are interested in helping us renew our rail connection to the outside world, bringing 1385 home, and taking a step towards exciting new possibilities, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DB9BNRE2VMTPL

Our webpage will be frequently updated with current donation totals so check back to follow our progress! 🚂🌟

Learn more about the 1385 here: https://www.midcontinent.org/equipment-roster/steam-locomotives/chicago-north-western-1385/

UPDATE: As of 8/29/2024 at 12:30 PM we have raised $1875 out of the $5000 needed to collect the $5000 of available challenge grant funds.

UPDATE 2: As of 8/30/2024 at 10:22 AM, we have raised a total of $2876 and have $2124 left to go to reach our goal.

Updated numbers will be posted on our website here: https://www.midcontinent.org/ties-to-the-future-a-1385-project/

Looking to cool off with an ice-cold root beer float? How about enjoying that sweet treat aboard our train ride? Look no further than our Root Beer Flyer scheduled to depart on Saturday, August 24th at 5PM from our depot in North Freedom, WI

(Psst...we only offer this sweet ride once a year)

Advanced reservations are encouraged: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/midcontinent/items/527225/calendar/2024/08/?flow=1146953&full-items=yes&back=https://www.midcontinent.org/&g4=yes

D&R 9 Restoration Update Courtesy of Jason R:

Fletch and his crew did some work on the #9 this last weekend, and you might be surprised to hear that she is not where she was once sitting. So then where is she? You can probably figure it out by the pictures, but Fletch wants to play a little game with all the members of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum called “Where’s the #9”. It’s like Where’s Waldo, but with a 50-ton locomotive.

Before we moved the #9 to its mystery location, Fletcher and his crew did some fine measurements to document the identification lettering on the side of the cab. It was relatively easy work, but it was done deliberately to ensure the lettering can be recreated as close as possible to its original configuration. We also finalized the movement plan and at the end of the day, the operating crew came over and the #9 started moving again. Unfortunately, Fletcher and I could not stay to the end of the day to help with the move, but many thanks to Steve P., Jay S., Andy S., and the crew for that day. You got the #9 moved to where we needed it. So take a look at our pictures, and Fletch is confident you can figure out where the #9 is currently located. So then the next question is WHY is she there?

While you are trying to answer these questions, Fletcher wanted me to ask all our wonderful members if you would consider a donation to the #9 fund. We started our second fundraiser this last spring, and we still need more help to accomplish our goals for this year. The biggest of course being the painting of the cab. So please consider giving, and stay tuned for our next post.”

https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=T92FYTXVYL7FU

Greetings from the Mid-Continent Steam Team!

On July 20th Mike W., Pete D., Ed R., Mary S., Andy S. gathered at 8:00 AM to perform the first hydro test on the Chicago and North Western #1385 locomotive after all the studs and appliances have been added to the boiler. This is our own test to make sure that we have no leaks before the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) witnessed test. We were able to get the boiler up to 90 degrees with a propane fired heater and a heated power washer. We slowly pressurized the boiler to around 125 PSI. The operating pressure of the boiler will be 200 PSI. This gave us a list of only a few items needing to be addressed before we perform our next test.

This has taken a tremendous amount of capital and volunteer hours to get to this point. We have come very far and have done something at Mid-Continent we have never done before, a total rebuild of a steam locomotive to FRA standards. We have learned a lot in the process so far and still have a way to go. Please help support this project with funding and general support of our steam team. Without everyone pulling together we would not be as close as we are. A big thank you to our team and all our members and railfans that have supported us! We will not let you down.

Thank you for your help and support.

Read the full update here: https://www.midcontinent.org/greeting-from-the-mid-continent-steam-team/

Ice Cream + Trains = Yum 😍

If you haven't yet booked your spot head over to our website to purchase tickets and learn more: https://www.midcontinent.org/root-beer-float-flyer.

Advanced tickets guarantee you a spot on this once-a-year special train!

Root Beer Float Flyer - Mid-Continent Railway Museum A Refreshing Root Beer Train Ride. Departing Saturday, August 24th, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Enjoy an ice-cold root beer float on this Summertime train! Embark on a 55-minute evening ride through rural Sauk County, departing North Freedom at 5:00 PM. … Continue reading →

$20,000 (and more) MISSION ACCOMPLISHED for DULUTH Sleeper Car Restoration!

Thanks to generous donors our museum surpassed the $10,000 matching grant funds for the ongoing restoration of this century-old time capsule of rail travel. While matching grant funds are no longer available at this time, further donations are still needed to complete the restoration of this vintage Duluth South Shore & Atlantic sleeping car.

To learn more about this project and donate if you can please visit: midcontinent.org/duluth-sleeping-car-10000-matching-fund-drive

C&NW 1385 Update: First Water

A few days ago, the #1385 felt her first sunshine with the new boiler, and now the boiler has received its first Wisconsin water.

To clean up details from our last update, we have 2 crew photos because someone has to hold the camera. The first photo shows Gary A., General Foreman of Steam Ed R., Gary B., Richard P. and Spec Machine owner, Steve R. The second shot is Gary A., Ed R., Steve R., Richard and Roger F. Roger provided and operated some of the machines used to lay the track.

After all the work that has been done on the boiler, we need to flush it out before we can prepare for a pressure test. The first trickle coming from a firebox washout becomes a steady flow carrying debris from the stud installation with it.

A large hose was used in the steam dome, then Ed switched to a smaller hose to flush from the washouts at the front end of the boiler.

The engine seems to be saying, “Ahhhh,” while enjoying the afternoon sun and a nice, clean feeling.

The next morning the steam dome was mounted on the boiler with help from Blue Star Farms who not only provided the water but also mechanical help. With the steam dome in place, the engine was filled. Approximately 2800 gallons later, the vent hole in the steam dome lid looked like a bubbler.

We have already identified a few minor weeps that will need attention and once the water is warmed to the proper testing range, we will pressurize the boiler to see if there are any further items for the “fix-it” list. Then the boiler will be drained & dried, the fix-it list addressed, and the boiler refilled and pressurized again to make sure everything was truly fixed. Once we know that we have a vessel that has no leaks, we can look to scheduling a test for the FRA.

C&NW 1385 Update: This great midsummer weather has all sorts of wonders to reveal. Monday, July 22nd, a small group of volunteers met at SPEC Machine and assembled a few track panels leading out the shop door. From that process comes the old saying “If you build it they will come”.

Well, we built it and guess who came out the door? Our beloved 1385 is feeling sunshine for the first time in nearly 5 years. We will have more details and more pictures in the very near future.

It's Christmas in July: We are now taking reservations for our holiday train rides aboard our steam heated cars from the 1900's, including the Santa Express and Holiday Flyer! Please find the dates and departures for the separate events below:

🗓️ When (Santa Express): November 30th & December 1st – December 7th & December 8th

🕔 Santa Express Departures: 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, & 2:30 PM

🗓️ When (Holiday Flyer): December 7th

🕔 Holiday Flyer Departures: 4:00 PM & 5:30 PM

📍 Where: E8948 Museum Road North Freedom, WI 53951

These are our most popular events of the year and tend to sell out very quickly, so be sure to book online soon! Reserve your tickets at the bottom of the page here: https://www.midcontinent.org/train-ride-information/santa-express/

Celebrate Summer with an ice-cold root beer float aboard the Root Beer Flyer Train!

🗓️ When: Saturday, August 24th (2024)
📍 Where: E8948 Museum Road North Freedom, WI 53951
🕔 Departure: 5:00 PM & Return: 6:00 PM

Get ready to indulge in a unique Summertime journey! On board, you'll be treated to a root beer float, while enjoying the scenic route and a laid-back atmosphere. It's the perfect way to unwind with friends and family.

Don't miss out on this 55-minute late afternoon adventure! Secure your spot now and join us for an unforgettable ride on the Root Beer Float Flyer. We can't wait to welcome you aboard! Reserve your tickets here: https://www.midcontinent.org/root-beer-float-flyer/

MCRM Volunteers and Supporters:

The 5-day long "All Hands on Deck" session held on June 26th to June 30th by the MCRM Restoration Department was a huge success. The volunteers really did an outstanding job and performed an immense amount of work in a matter of a few days. The amount of work accomplished during the session would otherwise have taken several months to accomplish. We had a total of 32 volunteers participating in the event, with an average of 20 volunteers per day. In total the volunteers put in over 800 hours of work during this session.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the session and helped to make it a huge success. The next MCRM Restoration Department volunteer work session is scheduled for July 13, 14 and 15. Come join us!!!

- Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Sleeping car DULUTH: Installed new veneer pieces under the windows in the smoking room and one in the sleeping compartment, installed the new window header (veneer with marquetry) in the smoking room, installed the headliner trim on the west side of the smoking room, applied canvas and painted to the two headliners for the smoking room (east side), installed filler pieces in the sleeping compartment lamp openings, installed cleats along the edge of the original veneer ceiling panels in the sleeping compartment, installed one new piece of bending plywood in the sleeping compartment ceiling, removed the remaining clerestory window frames from the car, primed and cut new car siding to length, installed a portion of the car siding on the east and west sides (approximately 30%) and took delivery of three new interior doors, two mirror frames and four vestibule end windows.

-East Jordan & Southern #2: Painted the entire exterior of the car with the EJ&S green, sanded and varnished the interior the entire passenger section of the car as well as the saloon (multiple coats), installed the lower inner window stops, painted the brake beams, trimmed bolts to length under the car, sanded the seat foot rests and cleaned and painted the car body end rails.

- Lake Superior & Ishpeming #64: Reconstructed the car framing for the two oval windows, installed the car siding around the two oval windows, installed the last of the straight battens on the car, primed the entire exterior of the car, cut and fit the window frames on the east side of the car, primed ten of the window frames, sanded much of the interior woodwork, cleaned and painted the car body end rails and cleaned up springs for the window frames.

-Rock Island #1094: Removed the last of the cabinets and sink in the baggage room, scraped and painted the north half of the baggage room including the clerestory area, the water tanks and the side walls. Reconstructed the south doorway in the bunk area, replaced missing and deteriorated headliner boards in the bunk area and baggage room and made a mockup of the bunk side rails.

Happy 4th of July to all! Enjoy this patriotic holiday with a train ride aboard the Stars and Stripes Special in North Freedom, Wisconsin until this Saturday! Free snow cones will be provided to ticketed passengers throughout the day until 3:00 PM.

We're also hosting $5.00 guided tours of the Engine House and Machine Shop at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM from the 4th-6th! Learn the history of some of Mid-Continent's locomotives, along with the methods and machines we use to restore them and perform maintenance.

Just a reminder that Fletch and his crew will be working on the D&R #9 this weekend as we continue to prep the cab for paint, and work on the pilot for it's rebuild. We added an additional crew and day this weekend to include both Saturday 7/6 at 10am, and Sunday 7/7 at 10am. We hope to see you there!

Due to a posting glitch day 4 progress from our All Hands On Deck restoration session did not post which means we get to post double the progress today! Take a look below:

Saturday June 29th was day 4 of the "All Hands on Deck" session. The MCRM Restoration Department had a great turnout with 23 volunteers helping out in the Car Shop. More progress was made on the LS&I #64, the DULUTH the EJ&S #2 and the Rock Island #1094.

A major milestone was accomplished today as volunteers completed the installation of all of the exterior woodwork and priming of the LS&I #64.

The volunteers ended the day with a train ride at MCRM while enjoying pizzas from Gem City.

Yesterday, June 30th, was Day 5 of the "All Hands on Deck" session. The MCRM Restoration Department had 13 volunteers working in the Car Shop.

The tremendously successful "All Hands On Deck" Session came to a close on Sunday afternoon (June 30th). For the five day session we had in excess of 30 volunteers participating in the event and we averaged 20 volunteers per day. In total the volunteers put in the equivalent of 100 days of work for this session.

The progress made during this session exceeded the expectations and this was achieved due to the support, commitment and hard work of the volunteers.

Progress made during Day 5 included the following:

- Lake Superior & Ishpeming 64: Fit the last of the framing for the two oval windows. Cut and fit the window frames on the east side of the car. Sanded portions of the interior woodwork and cleaned up springs for the windows.
- Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Sleeper car DULUTH: Applied sealer on new veneer panels in the smoking room. Painted the headliners for the smoking room. Primed and cut car siding to length. Installed a portion of the lower car siding on the east side.
-East Jordan & Southern 2: Painted the west side above the window sill. Varnished the interior of the saloon and other areas of the interior.
-Rock Island 1094: Painted the north half of the baggage room including the clerestory area, the water tanks and the side walls.

We'd like to thank all of the amazing volunteers, who put in a tremendous amount of work during the past 5 days! A special thanks is also extended to the volunteers that prepared all of the meals for the crew during the session.

Yesterday, June 28th, was day 3 of the "All Hands on Deck" volunteer session. 20 volunteers participated in the session for the day. The MCRM Restoration Department volunteers made some very good progress today as a lots a fresh paint and new wood was being installed cars in the shop. Work continued on the Lake Superior & Ishpeming #64, the DULUTH sleeping car, the East Jordan & Southern #2, and the Rock Island #1094. The volunteer session continues through Sunday.

Yesterday, June 27th, was day 2 of the "All Hands on Deck" session. The MCRM Restoration Department had 18 volunteers helping out in the Car Shop. The crew was once again working on the DULUTH, the LS&I #64 the EJ&S #2 and the Rock Island #1094. More good progress was made throughout the day.

The volunteers ended the day by going for a train ride and tour at the Riverside and Great Northern Railway in nearby Wisconsin Dells.

Yesterday, 6/26/2024, the MCRM Restoration Department kicked off its 5-day ALL HANDS ON DECK volunteer session. The purpose of the session is to deliver some very significant results in a matter of a few days! These kinds of results would otherwise take weeks or months to complete.

18 volunteers participated in the first day of the session. Collectively the crew made some very good progress on the Lake Superior & Ishpeming #64, the DULUTH sleeping car and the East Jordan & Southern #2 and the Rock Island #1094. The volunteer session continues through Sunday.

The volunteers ended the day by relaxing and enjoying some railroad songs being performed by Jerry Finch

The “ALL HANDS ON DECK" volunteer session begins this week! From June 26th-30th, our volunteers will focus their efforts on a few core projects in the Car Shop. With 30 volunteers signed up, we’re excited about the opportunity to deliver some very significant results in a matter of a few days! These kinds of results would otherwise take weeks or months to complete. The primary projects for this session are as follows:

- EJ&S #2 combine: Interior restoration work and painting the exterior
- LS&I #64 coach: Complete the balance of exterior woodwork and prime the entire exterior
- DSS&A DULUTH Sleeping car: Install woodwork (veneer and trim), ceiling panels and the lower car siding
- CRI&P #1094 combine: Prep and paint the baggage room

Stay tuned over the following days, as we post updates on our team's progress!