La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum, Wisconsin
Outdoor rail parkOutdoor display in Copeland Park; guided tours during 4000 Foundation events
The La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum in Copeland Park centers on Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Hudson No. 4000, a 1930 Baldwin steam locomotive, and the Grand Crossing Tower, both restored and maintained by the volunteers of the 4000 Foundation.
- CB&Q Hudson No. 4000, built 1930
- Grand Crossing Tower display
- In 30-acre Copeland Park
- Guided tours on event days
- Run by the nonprofit 4000 Foundation
La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Outdoor park display; guided tours during 4000 Foundation events
- Admission
- The foundation does not post an admission fee; members get free access to the display during fundraising events
- Seasonal events
- Rail Fair (July), Great Tri-State Rail Sale (October)
- Plan for
- About 30 minutes for the display, longer with the park
- Best for
- Steam fans and families already visiting Copeland Park
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- AddressCopeland Park, La Crosse, WI(opens in a new tab)
- Emailwebmaster@4000foundation.org
- Website4000foundation.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum? 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 La Crosse.
Rally Takes the Train
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See who’s waiting at the station
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How La Crosse looks after its Hudson
Locomotive No. 4000 was built in 1930 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. It first carried the number 3002 and was one of twelve S-4 Hudson-type engines, with a 4-6-4 wheel arrangement, on the Burlington. It carries the name Aeolus, and today it stands in Copeland Park beside the Grand Crossing Tower.
The 4000 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, exists to restore, preserve and maintain that locomotive and tower display. Its volunteers raise the money themselves, mostly through two train shows a year at the Omni Center in Onalaska, produced with the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department. Every dollar from those shows goes back into the museum. The foundation also keeps a calendar of rail events across the tri-state region, a service to hobbyists well beyond La Crosse.
A steam giant and a signal tower by the Black River
The display sits in Copeland Park, a city park of about 30 acres along the Black River that dates to 1909 and also holds Copeland Baseball Stadium, a splash pad and the Northside Fest Grounds. The main attraction is No. 4000 itself, a big 4-6-4 steam locomotive, and the Grand Crossing Tower that stands with it. On Rail Fair days the museum opens for guided tours, the best chance to learn the story from the volunteers who care for it.
Don’t miss
- CB&Q No. 4000, AeolusOne of only twelve S-4 Hudsons on the Burlington, built by Baldwin in 1930 and originally numbered 3002.
- The Grand Crossing TowerPart of the foundation's display, it is the other half of what the volunteers restore and maintain in Copeland Park.
- Rail Fair guided toursDuring the July Rail Fair, the museum opens for guided tours, the best time to visit with questions.
A big engine and a splash pad
For kids, the scale of a 4-6-4 steam locomotive is the draw, and Copeland Park adds a splash pad, tennis and basketball courts and room to run. The foundation does not post climbing or cab access rules, so visit on a Rail Fair day if you want a guide to explain the engine. The train shows themselves, with hundreds of tables of model trains and toys, are a favorite with young train fans.
Plan your visit: tips for La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum
- Plan your visit around the July Rail Fair, when guided tours are offered.
- The 35th Great Tri-State Rail Sale is set for October 24, 2026, at the Omni Center in Onalaska.
- Bring swimsuits in summer for the Copeland Park splash pad.
The 4000 Foundation volunteers
The 4000 Foundation is a volunteer nonprofit, and it is always looking for people to help with restoration and fundraising. Annual membership is $10 and lifetime membership is $100; members get a newsletter, an invitation to the annual meeting and dinner, and free access to the display during fundraising events, and lifetime members receive an engineer's cap and pin. Dues and donations are tax deductible.
Planning more rail stops in Wisconsin
La Crosse sits on the state's western edge, so pair this stop with others on a longer drive. About 72 miles east, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom makes a good next stop, and the Riverside and Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells is about 73 miles away. Across the river, the Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul is about 122 miles off. Browse train museums and rides across Wisconsin to plan a route.
- Mid-Continent Railway MuseumNorth Freedom, WI · about 72 mi
- Riverside & Great Northern RailwayWisconsin Dells, WI · about 73 mi
- Wisconsin Historical Society railroad collectionMadison, WI · about 105 mi
- Milwaukee Road Historical AssociationWisconsin, WI · about 106 mi
- Iowa Trolley Park / Mason City historic electric railway exhibitsMason City, IA · about 108 mi
- Little Amerricka / Whiskey River RailwayMarshall, WI · about 118 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
I keep thinking about how big a Hudson must look from a child's height, all black iron and huge wheels. In our book there is a moment when the train goes into a dark tunnel and then bursts into bright light while everyone cheers. A volunteer swinging open a door on a tour day might feel a little like that for a kid. My mom dreamed up that tunnel before she died in 2021, and I still love it.
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
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- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Wisconsin
- Halloween train rides in Wisconsin
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum?
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.
Sources
- La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum on YouTube(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum: 20 questions answered
What is the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum?
It is an outdoor railroad display in Copeland Park, La Crosse, Wisconsin, built around Chicago, Burlington & Quincy steam locomotive No. 4000 and the Grand Crossing Tower. The nonprofit 4000 Foundation restores, preserves and maintains the display and raises money for it through regional train shows.
Where is the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum?
The display is in Copeland Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a city park of about 30 acres along the Black River. The park is also home to Copeland Baseball Stadium and the Northside Fest Grounds. The 4000 Foundation's mailing address is P.O. Box 3411, La Crosse, WI 54602.
What are the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum hours?
The foundation does not post regular opening hours. The locomotive and tower stand in a public park, and the museum opens for guided tours during foundation events such as the July Rail Fair. Check 4000foundation.org or the foundation's Facebook page for the next tour day before you make a special trip.
How much does it cost to see the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum?
The foundation does not list an admission fee for the Copeland Park display. Annual members, at $10 a year, get free access to the La Crosse Short Line display during fundraising events. Check the foundation's website or Facebook page for any tour fees on event days.
What locomotive is in Copeland Park in La Crosse?
It is Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 4000, a steam locomotive built in 1930 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. It was originally numbered 3002 and was one of twelve S-4 Hudson-type engines, with a 4-6-4 wheel arrangement, on the Burlington. It carries the name Aeolus.
Why is La Crosse's locomotive called Aeolus?
The 4000 Foundation's display page names the engine Aeolus alongside its number, 4000. The foundation does not explain the name online, so ask a volunteer during a Rail Fair guided tour, or reach the foundation through its website contact form, for the full story behind it.
What is the Grand Crossing Tower in Copeland Park?
The Grand Crossing Tower is the second piece of the 4000 Foundation's Copeland Park display, preserved next to locomotive No. 4000. The foundation's stated purpose is to restore, preserve and maintain both the steam locomotive and the tower. Guided tours during foundation events are the best way to learn its history.
Who runs the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum?
The 4000 Foundation, LTD runs it. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on members and volunteers for restoration and fundraising. It produces its train shows in partnership with the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department, and all proceeds go to maintaining and restoring the museum.
What is the La Crosse Rail Fair?
Rail Fair is the 4000 Foundation's July train show at the Omni Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin. It has grown into a large one-day train show, flea market and swap meet with hundreds of vendor tables of railroad merchandise. The La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum opens for guided tours during Rail Fair.
When is the Great Tri-State Rail Sale?
As of October 2026, the 35th annual Great Tri-State Rail Sale is set for Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Omni Center, 255 Riders Club Rd, Onalaska, Wisconsin. The foundation bills it as the tri-state area's largest one-day hobby sale, with about 300 vendor tables.
What can you buy at the Tri-State Rail Sale?
Vendors bring model trains and accessories in every scale, railroad antiques and memorabilia, railroad books, magazines and pictures, hobby supplies, die-cast models and antique toys. It works as a flea market and swap meet, so you can sell as well as buy. Vendor information is on the foundation's website.
Can you go inside the locomotive at Copeland Park?
The foundation does not post rules about climbing into the cab of No. 4000. Guided tours are offered during foundation events, so that is the time to ask what visitors may see up close. Contact the 4000 Foundation through its website before you visit if cab access matters to your group.
Is the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum good for kids?
It works best as part of a park outing. Children can see a large steam locomotive up close, and Copeland Park has a splash pad, courts and open space. For the most engaging visit, come on a Rail Fair day, when volunteers lead tours and the train show is full of model trains.
Is there parking at Copeland Park in La Crosse?
The foundation does not list parking details online. Copeland Park is a large city park with a baseball stadium and festival grounds, so check the City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for parking near the train display, especially on game or festival days.
How do I join the 4000 Foundation?
Download the membership form from 4000foundation.org and mail it to The 4000 Foundation LTD, P.O. Box 3411, La Crosse, WI 54602. Annual membership is $10 and lifetime membership is $100. Members receive a card, a newsletter and an invitation to the annual meeting and dinner, and dues are tax deductible.
What do lifetime members of the 4000 Foundation get?
Lifetime members, at $100, receive all annual membership benefits plus an engineer's cap, a lifetime membership pin and a lifetime membership card. You can also earn lifetime membership by keeping your $10 annual membership for ten years. Annual benefits include free access to the display during fundraising events.
Can I volunteer with the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Museum?
Yes. The 4000 Foundation says it is always looking for people to help with restoration and fundraising activities and events. Use the volunteer form on 4000foundation.org and the foundation will follow up with ways to help preserve a piece of La Crosse railroad history.
How do I donate to the 4000 Foundation?
The 4000 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the IRS has declared donations and dues fully deductible because of the civic nature of its work. Contact the foundation through its website or mail a gift to P.O. Box 3411, La Crosse, WI 54602. Buying a table or ticket at its train shows also supports the museum.
Does the 4000 Foundation list other train shows?
Yes. Its online calendar lists rail events across the tri-state region, from model train shows and swap meets to toy train sales. Organizers can contact the foundation to have an event added. It is a handy place to plan a weekend of train shows in western Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
What else is in Copeland Park?
Copeland Park, established in 1909, covers about 30 acres along the Black River. Besides the train display, it holds Copeland Baseball Stadium, a Walk of Fame, a recently renovated splash pad, tennis and basketball courts, the Northside Fest Grounds and the Lights Over North La Crosse display.
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