Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin

Written By Kelsey Cecil

North Freedom, Wisconsin · Updated October 19, 2026 · 14 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesOpen mid-May to late October, plus Santa Express weekends

Mid-Continent Railway Museum is an outdoor living history museum and operating railroad in North Freedom that recreates small-town, short line railroading from the Golden Age of 1880 to 1916, with a seven-mile train ride and the largest collection of wooden passenger cars in the United States.

  • Train rides since 1963
  • Seven-mile, 55-minute round trip
  • 1894 C&NW depot
  • Largest wooden passenger car collection
  • Nation's last surviving fish car
  • Steam engine No. 1385 under restoration

Mid-Continent Railway Museum at a glance

Hours
Grounds open 9:30 am to 5 pm on operating days (9 am on fall event weekends). 2026: weekends May 17 to June 16, daily except Mondays June 17 to Labor Day, weekends to Oct. 25, Santa Express weekends Nov. 28 to Dec. 6
Admission
Coach train fare: adults $24, seniors 62+ $22, ages 3 to 15 $13, 2 and under free with ticket; self-guided museum tour $5
Train rides
Seven-mile, 55-minute diesel-hauled train ride; caboose seats ($26 adult) and locomotive cab rides ($72 adult) also offered
Seasonal events
Santa Express, Holiday Flyer, Pumpkin Special, Halloween Flyer, Autumn Color Weekends, Harvest Flyer, Vintage Rail Car Tours, Root Beer Float Flyer
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours
Best for
Families wanting a real train ride, and wooden car fans
Best ages
Ages 2 to 12
Accessibility
Vintage Rail Car Tours use steps into historic cars and are not wheelchair accessible; ask the office about access for regular rides.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Mid-Continent Railway 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 North Freedom.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From an iron mine spur to a Golden Age railroad

The museum's track began as a Chicago and North Western branch built in 1903 to reach new iron mines south of North Freedom. The little mining town of La Rue grew up beside it, with a hotel, store, church and two saloons, but water flooding the mine shafts closed the Illinois Mine in 1908 and the Iroquois Mine in 1914. A quartzite quarry kept the line busy from 1917 until 1962, when it was slated for abandonment.

Meanwhile, in 1959, rail enthusiasts from the Milwaukee area formed the Railway Historical Society of Milwaukee. After acquiring Consumers Company steam locomotive No. 701, they began running diesel trains in 1962 on the Hillsboro and Northeastern under the name Mid-Continent Railway Museum. When the North Freedom branch came up for sale, they bought it and moved the collection there in 1963. That summer, with repairs finished on steam locomotive No. 1385, steam trains carried passengers for the first time. Trains have run out of North Freedom every year since, and the museum marked its 60th anniversary in 2023.

The members, now the Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society, have weathered hard times too. In June 2008 the Baraboo River flooded the grounds and the museum closed until February 2009 for repairs. The same years brought triumphs: the volunteer car shop finished a $950,000 restoration of the Wisconsin Fish Commission car in 2008 and a five-year restoration of Copper Range No. 25 in 2013. On December 5, 2025, the whistle of No. 1385 sounded over North Freedom for the first time in nearly 30 years, and the society is raising funds to return the 1907 locomotive to service.

A ride through the Baraboo Hills and a yard full of wooden cars

The visit starts at a wooden Chicago and North Western depot built in 1894 at Ableman (later Rock Springs) and moved here in 1965, with its former freight room now the gift shop. From there, a conductor in period dress calls all aboard for a seven-mile round trip of about 55 minutes in century-old steel coaches, through a valley in the Baraboo Hills and past the old mining town of La Rue to a quarry, where the locomotive runs around the train for the trip back. All trains are currently diesel powered.

Back on the grounds, the indoor and outdoor museum has more than 40 cars and locomotives on display and more under restoration, along with a crossing shanty, crossing tower, section shed and water tower brought in from elsewhere. Viewing platforms in the coach shed let you look along the restored wooden cars, and a $5 self-guided tour is available every operating day.

Don’t miss

  1. Wisconsin Fish Commission Badger No. 2Built by Pullman in 1913 to carry fish in steel tanks to restock Wisconsin streams, it was the first car the museum ever bought and is the nation's last surviving fish car.
  2. Chicago and North Western No. 1385The 1907 steam locomotive that pulled the museum's first North Freedom trains in 1963. Its restoration is in the final phase, funded by donations.
  3. Copper Range No. 25A 1903 American Car and Foundry wooden car restored over five years to its 1913 look, down to reproduced cane seats and gold-striped oak ceiling panels.
  4. The 1894 depotAn original C&NW depot moved from Ableman in 1965, where every ride begins and the gift shop fills the old freight room.
  5. The coach shed viewing platformsWalk alongside the museum's award-winning restored wooden cars and see the craftsmanship up close.

All aboard with a ticket-punching conductor

Kids get a real train ride with a uniformed conductor who punches tickets, tells railroad stories and answers questions. The ride is a manageable 55 minutes, and the stop at the quarry while the locomotive moves to the other end of the train is a fun thing to watch. Children ages 3 to 15 ride at a reduced fare, and those 2 and under ride free but still need a ticket.

Before or after the trip, the museum's online Kids Page has printable coloring pages, a crossword puzzle and picture and ABC books from 1897 to 1918. Fall brings the Pumpkin Special and Autumn Color Weekends, and Santa Express trains run in late November and early December. Much of the museum is outdoors, and the special Vintage Rail Car Tours use steps into the cars and are not wheelchair accessible.

Plan your visit: tips for Mid-Continent Railway Museum

  • Without a reservation, arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
  • Book ahead for Autumn Color Weekends, Pumpkin Special and Santa Express, which often sell out.
  • Reservations are required for trains with food or drinks, such as the Harvest Flyer and Holiday Flyer.
  • The museum is about 30 minutes southwest of Wisconsin Dells and an hour northwest of Madison.
  • Gift cards in any amount are sold online and work for any train or tour.

Fall is busy in North Freedom. Autumn Color Weekends run through the October foliage, the Pumpkin Special and the evening Halloween Flyer roll in late October, and the season closes with Santa Express trains and the Holiday Flyer on the weekends of November 28 to 29 and December 5 to 6, 2026. These trains often sell out, so book early, and see our roundups of Halloween train rides in Wisconsin and Wisconsin Christmas train rides.

A historical society of members and skilled volunteers

The Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society, Inc. owns and runs the museum, and the museum says it would not be possible without its volunteers and members. Volunteers carry out the nationally recognized wooden car restorations in the Car Shop. You can help by becoming a member, volunteering, buying a gift card, or giving to the No. 1385 fund online, by phone at (608) 522-4261, or by mail to P.O. Box 358, North Freedom, WI 53951.

Pair North Freedom with the Dells or Madison

The Riverside & Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells is only about 13 miles away, a natural second ride the same weekend. The Little Amerricka and Whiskey River Railway in Marshall is about 46 miles southeast, and the Milwaukee Road Historical Association is also on our list. For the rest, see all of Wisconsin's train museums.

Every train museum in Wisconsin

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Mid-Continent's coaches are a century old, and old cars mean tall steps. In our book, Rally's short corgi legs can't make it up the train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost while Mom holds the ticket. I think about that every time I see a family lifting a little one onto a vintage platform. My kids are learning to read now, and that page is one they ask for. More gentle train stories are on our train books for toddlers list.

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
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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

Work or volunteer at Mid-Continent Railway 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

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum: 20 questions before you ride

Where is the Mid-Continent Railway Museum?

The museum is at E8948 Museum Road in North Freedom, Wisconsin 53951, about an hour northwest of Madison and 30 minutes southwest of Wisconsin Dells. From U.S. Highway 12 at Baraboo, take Highway 136 west for 4 miles, turn left on County PF into North Freedom, then go straight at the four-way stop; the depot is a third of a mile ahead.

When is the Mid-Continent Railway Museum open in 2026?

As of October 2026, the museum opens weekends from May 17 to June 16 plus Memorial Day, daily except Mondays from June 17 to Labor Day, then weekends through October 25. It reopens on weekends from November 28 to December 6 for Santa Express and is closed from December 7 until spring 2027.

What are the Mid-Continent Railway Museum hours?

On days the trains run, the museum grounds and buildings are open from 9:30 am to 5 pm, opening at 9 am on fall special event weekends. The office lists hours of Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 5 pm. Departure times vary by event, so check the schedule at midcontinent.org before you drive out.

How much is a train ride at Mid-Continent Railway Museum?

As of October 2026, regular coach fares are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors 62 and up, $13 for children 3 to 15, and free for ages 2 and under, who still need a ticket. Caboose seats are $26 for adults, and locomotive cab rides are $72. Special events are priced differently.

How long is the Mid-Continent train ride?

The round trip covers seven miles and takes about 55 minutes. Trains travel at up to 15 mph from North Freedom through the old mining town of La Rue to a quarry, where crews spend about 15 minutes moving the locomotive to the other end of the train before heading back.

Do I need reservations for a Mid-Continent train ride?

Reservations are not required for most regular trains, but the museum encourages them. Without one, arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. Reservations are strongly recommended for Autumn Color Weekends, Pumpkin Special and Santa Express, and required for trains with food or drinks, such as the Harvest Flyer, Holiday Flyer and Root Beer Float Flyer.

Are Mid-Continent trains pulled by steam locomotives?

Not right now. All trains are currently diesel powered, as they have been since February 2000. Steam locomotive Chicago and North Western No. 1385, built in 1907, is in the final phase of restoration, and its whistle sounded again on December 5, 2025 for the first time in nearly 30 years. The museum's Steam Status page has updates.

How can I donate to the No. 1385 restoration at Mid-Continent?

You can give online through the museum's website, by phone at (608) 522-4261, or by mail to Mid-Continent Railway Museum, P.O. Box 358, North Freedom, WI 53951, with 1385 Fund on the memo line. As of October 13, 2026, the fund stood at $153,604 toward a $300,000 goal for the final phase.

Does Mid-Continent Railway Museum have a Santa train?

Yes. Santa Express runs on the weekends of November 28 to 29 and December 5 to 6, 2026, and the Holiday Flyer, a train with food or beverage service, runs December 5. These trains often sell out, so book tickets on the museum's website as early as you can.

What Halloween and fall trains does Mid-Continent run?

In 2026 the fall lineup includes Autumn Color Weekends on October 10 to 11 and 17 to 18, the Harvest Flyer on October 17, the Pumpkin Special on October 24 to 25 and the Halloween Flyer on October 24. Evening flyers include food or drinks and require reservations, and all of these trains tend to sell out.

What can you see at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum besides the train ride?

The indoor and outdoor museum has more than 40 cars and locomotives on display, with more under restoration, plus an 1894 depot, a crossing shanty, crossing tower, section shed and water tower. Viewing platforms in the coach shed let you see restored wooden cars up close. A self-guided museum tour costs $5.

What are the Vintage Rail Car Tours at Mid-Continent?

Once a year, in late September, volunteers open the doors of four restored wooden passenger cars, such as the Badger No. 2 fish car, and visitors can tour the Car Shop. In 2026 tours cost $15 for adults and $9 for ages 3 to 15 and took about an hour. Steps lead into the cars, so the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What is the fish car at Mid-Continent Railway Museum?

Badger No. 2 was built by Pullman in 1913 for the Wisconsin Fish Commission to carry fish in steel tanks and release them from bridges to restock rivers. It was the first car Mid-Continent bought, in 1960, and a $950,000 restoration to its original layout was finished in 2008. It is the nation's last surviving fish car.

When was Mid-Continent Railway Museum founded?

The group began in 1959 as the Railway Historical Society of Milwaukee. It ran its first trains as Mid-Continent Railway Museum in 1962 at Hillsboro, then bought the North Freedom branch and moved there in 1963. Trains have run from North Freedom every year since, and the 60th anniversary was celebrated in 2023.

Which railroad did the Mid-Continent line belong to?

The track was a branch of the Chicago and North Western Railway, built in 1903 to serve iron mines near La Rue and later extended to a quartzite quarry. When the quarry closed in 1962 the line faced abandonment, and the museum bought it. The depot is also an original C&NW building, from Ableman.

Is Mid-Continent Railway Museum good for young kids?

Yes. A 55-minute ride with a ticket-punching conductor suits most young children, and kids 2 and under ride free with a ticket. The museum's online Kids Page has printable coloring pages, a crossword and old-time picture books to enjoy before or after. Santa Express and the Pumpkin Special are popular family trips.

Is Mid-Continent Railway Museum wheelchair accessible?

The museum states that its Vintage Rail Car Tours are not wheelchair accessible because steps lead into the historic cars. Its website does not describe access for the regular train ride, so call the office at (608) 522-4261 or email inquiries@midcontinent.org before your visit to talk through your needs.

Does Mid-Continent sell gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards can be bought online in any dollar amount and used toward any train or tour the museum operates, which makes them an easy present for a train-loving child or grandparent. Find the gift card link on midcontinent.org, or call the ticket office at (608) 522-4261.

How can I volunteer or become a member at Mid-Continent Railway Museum?

The museum says it would not exist without its volunteers and members, and it invites the public to do both. Volunteers work on everything from running trains to the wooden car restorations in the Car Shop. Visit the Get Involved section of midcontinent.org, or call (608) 522-4261 to ask where help is needed.

What train attractions are near Mid-Continent Railway Museum?

The Riverside and Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells is about 13 miles away, and the Wisconsin Dells Scenic Railway historical collection is about 16 miles. The Wisconsin Historical Society railroad collection in Madison is about 36 miles, and Little Amerricka with its Whiskey River Railway in Marshall is about 46 miles.

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