Bismarck Railroad History, North Dakota
Historic rail siteNo dedicated railroad museum hours are posted for Bismarck; the state railroad museum is 8 miles away in Mandan
Bismarck's historic railroad station is part of the capital's story, and for full-size trains and exhibits, families drive about 8 miles to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan.
- Historic Bismarck station
- Featured in a 1938 city guide
- State railroad museum 8 miles away
- Free summer admission in Mandan
Bismarck Railroad History at a glance
- Hours
- No Bismarck rail exhibit hours posted; the Mandan museum lists summer afternoons
- Admission
- Mandan museum: free, donations accepted
- Train rides
- Train rides on select event days at the Mandan museum
- Best for
- Families staying in Bismarck who want a train outing
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Bismarck Railroad History? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Bismarck.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
The capital city's place on the line west
Bismarck has its own chapter in North Dakota's railroad history, anchored by the historic Bismarck station, a building documented in the city's histories, including the Federal Writers' Project guide to Bismarck published in 1938 as a short history and guide to points of interest in and around the city.
There is no separate railroad history museum in Bismarck with posted hours. Instead, the city's rail story connects to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum, which stands only about 8 miles away, north of Mandan. That museum, open since 1972, houses exhibits and artifacts from the early 1900s, full-size railroad cars, handmade models, photographs and uniforms, so it is the natural place for Bismarck families to see the equipment up close.
If you want to learn more about the Bismarck station itself, ask at the city's visitor bureau or the state's historical institutions about current access and any interpretive displays.
Where to see railroad history around Bismarck
In Bismarck, look for the historic station building and check locally whether any exhibits are open inside. For a full museum visit, the North Dakota State Railroad Museum north of Mandan has about five acres of rolling stock, the 1890 Steele Depot, an SW diesel switcher, a Railroad Hall of Fame and about 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned displays.
Don’t miss
- The historic Bismarck stationThe city's historic railroad station, documented in Bismarck histories such as the 1938 Federal Writers' Project guide.
- North Dakota State Railroad MuseumAbout 8 miles away near Mandan, with railcars to explore, the 1890 Steele Depot and free admission in summer.
Best bet for kids: the museum next door
For train-loving kids, the most rewarding stop near Bismarck is the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan, where travel guides note several railcars are open to explore. Listings mention free event days with train rides, such as Father's Day in June and Watermelon Days in July.
Plan your visit: tips for Bismarck Railroad History
- For full-size trains, drive about 8 miles to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan.
- From I-94, take Exit 152, head north on Old Red Trail and follow the Railroad Museum signs.
- Check the Mandan museum's Facebook page for its summer opening dates.
- Ask Bismarck's visitor bureau about access to the historic station.
Summer is the season for trains near Bismarck: the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan lists free event days with train rides on Father's Day in June and at Watermelon Days in July. For colder months, look at our roundup of Christmas train rides in North Dakota.
Who keeps the region's rail story
The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan is the area's dedicated railroad museum. It charges no admission and depends on donations, so a gift in the box or a purchase at its gift store is a direct way for Bismarck families to help preserve local railroad history.
Train museums within reach of Bismarck
The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan is only about 8 miles away. The Northern Pacific depot in Dickinson is about 95 miles west, and the Railroad Museum of Minot is about 102 miles. For the full list, browse North Dakota train museums.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Every station I read about makes me think of the moment someone in a blue uniform reaches out to help. In our book, Mr. Conductor holds out a hand so Rally can climb aboard. A capital city station must have seen that a thousand times, with kids and grandparents and maybe a corgi or two. If your little ones like that moment, our train books for toddlers list has more.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in North Dakota: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in North Dakota
- Halloween train rides in North Dakota
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Bismarck Railroad History?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Railroad history in Bismarck: 20 questions answered
Is there a railroad museum in Bismarck, North Dakota?
There is no separate railroad museum with posted hours in Bismarck itself. The closest dedicated rail museum is the North Dakota State Railroad Museum, about 8 miles away north of Mandan at 3102 37th St. NW. It has full-size railroad cars, the 1890 Steele Depot and a Railroad Hall of Fame.
Where can you see trains near Bismarck?
The best place is the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan, about 8 miles from Bismarck. It has about five acres of rolling stock, an SW diesel switcher and several railcars open to explore. From I-94, take Exit 152, go north on Old Red Trail and follow the signs.
What is the historic Bismarck station?
The Bismarck station is the city's historic railroad depot. Its history appears in local histories such as the Federal Writers' Project guide to Bismarck published in 1938. Ask the city's visitor bureau whether the building is open to visitors and whether any railroad exhibits are on display inside.
Can you go inside the historic Bismarck railroad station?
Visitor access and hours for the historic Bismarck station are not posted online. Do not assume it is open as a museum. Contact Bismarck's visitor bureau before you go to ask whether the building is open and whether any railroad displays are inside.
What was the 1938 guide to Bismarck?
In 1938 the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration published a short history and guide to points of interest in and around Bismarck. It is one of the early written accounts of the Bismarck station, and libraries are a good place to look for a copy.
How far is the North Dakota State Railroad Museum from Bismarck?
It is about 8 miles from Bismarck, just north of Mandan. Take I-94 to Exit 152, head north on Old Red Trail and follow the Railroad Museum signs to 3102 37th St. NW. The drive is short enough for an afternoon outing.
What are the hours for railroad exhibits near Bismarck?
As of October 2026, a Bismarck Mandan visitor listing shows the North Dakota State Railroad Museum and gift store open 1 pm to 5 pm daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, while a recent Facebook post listed opening hours of 1 pm to 4 pm. Check the museum's Facebook page for the current season.
How much does the railroad museum near Bismarck cost?
Admission to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan is free, and donations are accepted. The museum relies on those gifts to care for its rolling stock and exhibits. Event days with train rides have also been listed as free.
Are there train rides near Bismarck?
Yes, on certain days. The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan lists free events with train rides on Father's Day in June and at Watermelon Days in July. Dates change each year, so follow the museum's Facebook page for the current schedule.
Is the railroad museum near Bismarck good for kids?
Yes. Travel guides call the North Dakota State Railroad Museum a great place to visit with kids because several railcars are open to explore. The air-conditioned exhibit building with models, photos and uniforms is a good break from summer heat.
What can you see at the railroad museum near Bismarck?
The North Dakota State Railroad Museum displays full-size railroad cars on about five acres, the 1890 Steele Depot, an SW diesel switcher, handmade models, photographs, uniforms, track tools and a Railroad Hall of Fame in roughly 3,000 square feet of displays. Exhibits reach back to the early 1900s.
When did the railroad museum near Bismarck open?
The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan opened in 1972, according to the Lewis and Clark Trail Experience listing. It has spent the decades since collecting railroad equipment, artifacts and photographs from across the state.
Is the railroad museum near Bismarck open in winter?
No regular winter hours are posted. The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan is a summer attraction, with listings showing afternoon hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Watch its Facebook page for opening announcements each spring.
Are there Christmas trains near Bismarck?
No Christmas train events are posted for Bismarck or the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan, which is a summer attraction. Check statewide holiday train listings and local event calendars each fall for any seasonal train outings.
Is the railroad museum near Bismarck air conditioned?
Yes. North Dakota Tourism describes the North Dakota State Railroad Museum's exhibit space as air conditioned. The full-size equipment is outdoors on about five acres, so plan sun protection for the yard and use the indoor displays to cool off.
Does the railroad museum near Bismarck have a gift shop?
Yes. A Bismarck Mandan visitor listing says the North Dakota State Railroad Museum's gift store keeps the same summer afternoon hours as the museum. A purchase there also supports a museum that charges no admission.
How can I contact the railroad museum near Bismarck?
The North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan posts news on its Facebook page and can be reached by phone at (701) 663-9322. Use either to ask about hours, group visits or the season's train ride days before you drive over.
How long does a railroad outing from Bismarck take?
Allow about two to three hours in total: a short drive of about 8 miles each way to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum near Mandan, plus one to two hours to explore the yard and exhibits. Event days with train rides may take longer.
Is there a Railroad Hall of Fame near Bismarck?
Yes. North Dakota Tourism lists a Railroad Hall of Fame among the exhibits at the North Dakota State Railroad Museum, about 8 miles from Bismarck near Mandan. It honors people who built and worked on the state's railroads.
What other train museums are near Bismarck?
Beyond the North Dakota State Railroad Museum about 8 miles away, the Northern Pacific Railway Depot in Dickinson is about 95 miles west and the Railroad Museum of Minot is about 102 miles away. The Dacotah Prairie Museum's railroad exhibits in Aberdeen, South Dakota are about 144 miles.
Keep exploring
More family train guides from Rally
- DirectoryRailway Museum Directory650 train museums in all 50 states, with hours, tickets and train rides.
- HolidayChristmas Train RidesSanta trains and holiday light rides, sorted by state and town.
- OctoberHalloween Train RidesPumpkin trains and not-too-spooky rides for little ones, by state.
- NovemberThanksgiving Train RidesHoliday weekend train trips the whole family can share.
- AmtrakAmtrak With KidsWhich Amtrak routes work best with babies, toddlers and big kids.
- Plan a tripTrain Trips With KidsEvery Amtrak route, stop by stop, planned for families.