North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Wisconsin
Outdoor rail parkTrain ridesRuns inside the Milwaukee County Zoo; zoo open daily except three winter holidays
The North Shore Bank Safari Train is the oldest and most popular ride at the Milwaukee County Zoo, a 15-inch gauge railroad that began in 1958 and now carries more than 400,000 guests a year through the zoo's parkland.
- Zoo railroad since 1958
- More than 400,000 riders a year
- 15-inch gauge track
- New diesel engine No. 2025
- Steam engines now in Wisconsin Dells
North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo at a glance
- Hours
- Zoo open daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm through October 31, 2026; November 1 to December 31, weekdays 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and weekends 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Admission
- Zoo admission required, with separate ride fees; buying online is cheaper. Check milwaukeezoo.org for prices
- Train rides
- North Shore Bank Safari Train inside the zoo; check the zoo for current train times and fare
- Seasonal events
- Boo at the Zoo, Spooky Safari (21 and up), Wild Lights, Trains and Tracks
- Plan for
- Half a day or more for the zoo, with the train as a short break
- Best for
- Families with toddlers and young kids
- Best ages
- Toddlers to age 10
- Parking
- Parking fees apply at the zoo
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(414) 771-3040
- Alsozoo.fieldtrips@milwaukeecountywi.gov
- Websitemilwaukeezoo.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo? 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 Milwaukee.
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.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A preview train that became the zoo's favorite ride
The railroad at the Milwaukee County Zoo started running in 1958, and its first job was public relations. The zoo was moving to a new home and still under construction, and the little train gave passengers a preview of the new grounds while the work went on. The ride outlasted that purpose by decades. Today the zoo calls the North Shore Bank Safari Train a historic attraction, its oldest ride and its most popular one.
From 1992 on, the train was pulled by a fleet of four locomotives: two steam engines, No. 1916 and No. 1924, and two diesels, No. 1958 and No. 1992. The zoo ran them in rotation, and together they carried more than 400,000 guests a year through the parkland.
In March 2024 the zoo announced that both steam engines would leave for the Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society in Wisconsin Dells, a nonprofit that runs them as part of its living museum. No. 1916 left on April 1 and No. 1924 followed on October 31, after a final limited run for zoo guests. The zoo tied the decision to its conservation and sustainability mission.
In their place came new custom-built diesels. Engine No. 2025, a 15-inch gauge Tier 4 diesel hydraulic locomotive, arrived on August 8 as the fleet's first new engine in more than thirty years, and the zoo held a Trains and Tracks day to welcome it. The zoo expects the new engines to cut particulate emissions by 90 percent, give engineers a better cab, and let the train run year-round when the weather allows. A second custom engine was expected in winter 2025 or spring 2026.
Riding the Safari Train through the zoo grounds
The Safari Train is a ride inside the zoo, so a visit starts with zoo admission at 10001 W Bluemound Road. From the station, the train carries riders through the zoo's parkland, giving riders a seated look at the grounds and a break for small legs between animal buildings. The zoo charges separate attraction fees for rides like this one, so plan for that on top of your gate ticket.
Up front you will see one of the zoo's diesel locomotives. The fleet includes No. 1958 and No. 1992, plus the new No. 2025, a Tier 4 diesel hydraulic engine built for the 15-inch gauge line. The steam engines that once worked in rotation, No. 1916 and No. 1924, now run in Wisconsin Dells, so fans who miss them can still ride behind them there.
Don’t miss
- Engine No. 2025The zoo's newest locomotive and its first new engine in more than three decades, a cleaner Tier 4 diesel hydraulic machine built for the line's 15-inch gauge.
- Diesel No. 1958Its number matches the year the zoo railroad opened, and it kept the Safari Train running alongside No. 1992 after the steam engines left.
- Diesel No. 1992Part of the four-engine fleet that ran from 1992 on and carried more than 400,000 riders a year.
- The parkland loopThe train began as a way to preview the zoo's new grounds, and it still gives riders a relaxed, seated tour of the parkland.
A seated ride between the animal buildings
For young children the train is often the highlight of a zoo day: a real locomotive at the front and a ride through the grounds without any walking. It works well as a rest stop for toddlers and preschoolers who are running out of steam halfway through the zoo.
The zoo's Education Department, run by the Zoological Society, also offers classes and camps for children from infants to age 14 and family programs, if your train fan wants more than one ride.
Plan your visit: tips for North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo
- Buy zoo tickets online to skip the line and get a lower rate.
- Admissions close 45 minutes before the zoo closes, so arrive early on short winter days.
- The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- The West entrance is open only from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day; the main entrance is open year-round.
Who keeps the Safari Train running
The Safari Train is part of the Milwaukee County Zoo, a Milwaukee County attraction, and North Shore Bank's name is on the train. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee supports the zoo through its Zoo Pass memberships and runs its education programs. Visitors help by buying a pass, donating through the zoo's website, or choosing items from the zoo's wish list.
More rail stops around Milwaukee
For an older style of electric railroading, the East Troy Railroad Museum is about 25 miles southwest. The Kenosha Electric Streetcar runs restored PCC cars about 33 miles south, and the Wisconsin Automotive Museum railway exhibits are about 26 miles away in Hartford. See all of Wisconsin's train museums and rides for more.
- East Troy Railroad MuseumEast Troy, WI · about 25 mi
- Wisconsin Automotive Museum railway exhibitsHartford, WI · about 26 mi
- Kenosha Electric StreetcarKenosha, WI · about 33 mi
- Little Amerricka / Whiskey River RailwayMarshall, WI · about 52 mi
- Illinois Railway MuseumUnion, IL · about 61 mi
- Milwaukee Road Historical AssociationWisconsin, WI · about 68 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The Safari Train rolls past animals instead of the ocean, but I think a corgi would press his nose to the glass either way. In our book Rally looks out an arched window, spots a white bird and says hello. A zoo train full of kids pointing at everything they pass feels like that same happy moment, just with more giraffes. If your little one wants to color the scene, our coloring pages are free to print.
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 Wisconsin: every museum by town, with a map
- 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 North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo?
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
- North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo official website(opens in a new tab)
- North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo on YouTube(opens in a new tab)
- North Shore Bank Safari Train at the Milwaukee County Zoo on X(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.
Milwaukee County Zoo train: 20 questions families ask
Does the Milwaukee County Zoo have a train?
Yes. The North Shore Bank Safari Train is the zoo's oldest and most popular ride, carrying riders on a loop through the zoo's parkland. It runs on 15-inch gauge track behind diesel locomotives and carries more than 400,000 guests in a typical year. The train is inside the zoo, so you reach it after entering through the main gate.
When did the Milwaukee County Zoo railroad start?
The zoo railroad began running in 1958. It started as a public relations tool, letting passengers preview the zoo's new location while the move and construction were still under way. The ride proved so popular that it stayed, and the zoo now describes the Safari Train as a historic attraction and its oldest ride.
What are the Milwaukee County Zoo train hours?
The zoo does not post separate train hours online, so the train runs within zoo hours. As of October 2026 the zoo is open daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm through October 31, then weekdays 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and weekends 9:30 am to 4:30 pm through December. Call (414) 771-3040 to confirm the train is running the day you visit.
What time does the Milwaukee County Zoo close?
As of October 2026, the zoo closes at 4:30 pm every day through October 31. From November 1 to December 31 it closes at 2:30 pm on weekdays and 4:30 pm on weekends. Admissions stop 45 minutes before closing, and animal buildings close 15 minutes before the zoo does, so arrive with time to spare.
Is the Milwaukee County Zoo open every day?
Nearly. As of October 2026 the zoo is open daily, with shorter weekday hours from November 1 through December 31. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. On some event days, such as Boo at the Zoo, the zoo closes early and reopens in the evening, so check the calendar before you go.
How much does it cost to ride the Milwaukee County Zoo train?
The zoo does not list the train fare online in an easy spot. The train is a ride inside the zoo, so you pay zoo admission first, and the zoo notes that regular attraction fees apply on top of admission. Check milwaukeezoo.org or call (414) 771-3040 for the current Safari Train price.
How much are Milwaukee County Zoo tickets?
The zoo sells tickets at the gate and online, and buying online gives you a lower rate and lets you walk right in. Advance tickets are not required for ordinary visits, though some special events need pre-purchased tickets. Current prices are on milwaukeezoo.org. A Zoo Pass from the Zoological Society of Milwaukee covers repeat visits.
What happened to the Milwaukee County Zoo steam engines?
The zoo sold its two steam locomotives, No. 1916 and No. 1924, to the Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society in Wisconsin Dells in 2024. No. 1916 left on April 1 and No. 1924 on October 31, after a final limited run at the zoo. The nonprofit preserves and runs them as part of its living museum.
Can you still ride behind the old Milwaukee County Zoo steam engines?
Yes, but in Wisconsin Dells rather than Milwaukee. The Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society bought both engines to operate as part of its living museum, and news reports have described the pair running there during its Pumpkin Trains in fall. Check that railroad's schedule for current ride days.
What is engine No. 2025 at the Milwaukee County Zoo?
No. 2025 is the Safari Train's newest locomotive, a 15-inch gauge Tier 4 diesel hydraulic engine that arrived on August 8 as the zoo's first new train engine in more than thirty years. The zoo celebrated with a Trains and Tracks day of activities. It is designed to cut emissions and improve conditions for the engineers.
What engines pull the Milwaukee County Zoo train now?
The Safari Train runs on diesel power. The zoo's diesels No. 1958 and No. 1992 kept the train running after the steam engines left, and the new custom-built No. 2025 joined the fleet as the first of two planned replacements. A second custom engine was expected to arrive in winter 2025 or spring 2026.
Why did the Milwaukee County Zoo switch to new diesel engines?
The zoo says the change supports its conservation and sustainability mission. The new Tier 4 compliant engines are expected to cut particulate emissions by about 90 percent, use modern technology, improve ergonomics for the engineers, and allow the train to run year-round when the weather allows.
Does the Milwaukee County Zoo train run in winter?
The zoo has said its new diesel engines give the train the ability to operate year-round, weather permitting, but it does not post a winter train schedule online. Since the zoo itself is open through the winter except on three holidays, call (414) 771-3040 before a cold-weather visit to ask whether the train is running.
Is the Milwaukee County Zoo train good for toddlers?
Yes. The Safari Train is a seated ride with a real locomotive at the front, and it gives little legs a break between animal buildings. For toddlers and preschoolers it is often a favorite part of the day. Keep in mind that it is an outdoor ride, so dress for the weather.
How long is the Milwaukee County Zoo train ride?
The zoo does not list the ride length online. Plan on the train as a short break within a longer zoo visit, and allow extra time for lines on busy summer weekends. The staff at the station or the zoo's general line, (414) 771-3040, can tell you the current running time.
Where is the Milwaukee County Zoo and which entrance should I use?
The zoo is at 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226. The main entrance and the walk-in entrance are open all year. The West entrance opens only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Parking fees apply, so budget for them along with admission and the train.
Does the Milwaukee County Zoo have Halloween or Christmas events?
Yes. Boo at the Zoo runs in late October, and in 2026 a new adults-only Spooky Safari evening is set for October 22. Wild Lights, a holiday light event, runs on select nights from November 20 through December 31, 2026. These are zoo events rather than special train rides, so check the zoo's events page for details.
Can schools book field trips that include the Milwaukee County Zoo train?
The zoo handles school and youth group visits through its field trip team, reachable at zoo.fieldtrips@milwaukeecountywi.gov. The Zoological Society's Education Department also offers programs for schools and youth groups, plus classes and camps for children up to age 14. Ask the field trip team about adding train rides for a group.
Who sponsors the Milwaukee County Zoo train?
The train carries the name of North Shore Bank and is officially the North Shore Bank Safari Train. It is operated by the Milwaukee County Zoo, which is part of Milwaukee County. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee supports the zoo through memberships, its Zoo Pass and education programs.
What train museums are near the Milwaukee County Zoo?
The East Troy Railroad Museum is about 25 miles away, the Wisconsin Automotive Museum's railway exhibits in Hartford about 26 miles, and the Kenosha Electric Streetcar about 33 miles. Little Amerricka and its Whiskey River Railway in Marshall is about 52 miles away, and the Illinois Railway Museum is about 61 miles south.
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