North Shore Scenic Railroad in Duluth, Minnesota

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Duluth, Minnesota · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions summer through fall, mostly Fridays to Sundays, plus holiday trains

The North Shore Scenic Railroad carries passengers along the historic Lakefront Line between Duluth and Two Harbors in vintage coaches from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, telling the story of the iron ranges and the harbor as the lake rolls by.

  • Operating since 1990
  • Run by the museum since 1996
  • Rides on the 1886 Lakefront Line
  • SkyView Dome Car seating
  • Christmas City Express each winter
  • Half-price museum combo

North Shore Scenic Railroad at a glance

Hours
Ticket office daily, 10 am to 5 pm; excursions generally Fridays to Sundays in summer and fall
Admission
Duluth Zephyr coach: adults $24, ages 3 to 13 $12, 2 and under free; First Class dome $46
Train rides
Duluth Zephyr (75 minutes, 11 am Friday to Sunday) and Northwoods Explorer (2.5 hours, 1:30 pm), May to mid-October, plus special and holiday trains
Seasonal events
Christmas City Express, Christmas Tree Train, Autumn Pie Train to Knife River, Terror Train (adults), Pizza Party Express
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours with the museum
Best for
Families, lake views and rail fans
Best ages
All ages; the Duluth Zephyr suits toddlers
Accessibility
A lift at the Duluth station gives wheelchair access to the concession car on the Duluth Zephyr, Northwoods Explorer and pizza trains only.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to North Shore Scenic Railroad? 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 Duluth.

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.

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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.

The Lakefront Line, from iron ore route to excursion train

The track the North Shore Scenic Railroad rides was first built in 1886. Known then as the Lake Division, it tied the isolated Duluth and Iron Range Railway into the rest of the nation's rail network, meeting a one-mile extension of the St. Paul and Duluth Railway at Fifth Avenue East. That link gave the D&IR access to downtown Duluth and to other carriers at the Head of the Lakes, and for more than a century it carried supplies, materials and workers north to the growing towns of the Vermilion Range. It also helped open the Mesabi Range, sparing prospectors the long canoe and horseback routes they had used before.

Excursions on the line began in 1990, when Donald Shank, a former general manager and vice president of the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway, launched the North Shore Scenic Railroad with county and private funding. He ran it for one season. A local family, the Goldfines, took over in 1991 and operated it as a business with their own equipment for five seasons.

In 1996 the Lake Superior Railroad Museum assumed operation, and it has run the railroad ever since as its wholly owned subsidiary. With a strong corps of volunteers and a fleet of historic museum equipment, the railroad has grown into an educational operation that has kept trains running every season since 1990, and the narration on each trip still tells the story of Duluth, its harbor and the railroads that built northern Minnesota.

Downtown, the shoreline and the north woods

Trains leave the historic Depot in downtown Duluth and roll past Canal Park, along the shore of Lake Superior, through the wooded Congdon neighborhood and up toward the north woods on a line that stretches to Two Harbors. The Duluth Zephyr is the most popular trip, a 75-minute ride to a side track at the edge of town and back. The Northwoods Explorer follows the evening route farther up the shore for about 2.5 hours, and occasional runs go all the way to Two Harbors.

You choose your seat: historic coaches, some with open windows and some with heat and air conditioning, or the upstairs SkyView Dome Car with its own attendant and complimentary snacks. A concession car sells drinks and light snacks. Before or after the ride, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum sits on the same platforms, and a train ticket cuts museum admission in half.

Don’t miss

  1. The SkyView Dome CarFirst Class seats put you upstairs with wide views of the lake, limited to about 60 riders per trip on the Duluth Zephyr.
  2. The Duluth ZephyrThe railroad's most popular ride and its shortest, 75 minutes, which makes it the easiest fit for families with small kids.
  3. The Christmas City ExpressA holiday storybook experience that begins with a reading in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum before families head out on the rails.
  4. Steam Locomotive No. 332The railroad posts regular updates about this steam engine on its steam page, the place to check before asking when it will run.
  5. Knife River Depot tripsSpecial trains like the Autumn Pie Train and the Christmas Tree Train travel up the shore to the small lakeside village of Knife River.

Pick the short train for little riders

The 75-minute Duluth Zephyr is the best match for toddlers and preschoolers, and on most coach trips children 2 and under ride free without a ticket. Kids can pick a car with open windows to hear the whistle and feel the breeze, then visit the concession car for a snack. Riders under 16 need an adult with them.

Boarding takes about four steps up into each car, with railings, a step stool and car attendants at the doors, though staff do not lift or carry passengers. There are no restrooms that work for wheelchairs aboard the historic cars, so plan a stop at the Depot before you board.

Plan your visit: tips for North Shore Scenic Railroad

  • Reservations are recommended for every trip, and some trains require them.
  • On First Class, dinner and some special trains, every rider needs a ticket, babies included.
  • Add museum admission at 50% off with any train ticket.
  • There are no restaurants in the Depot; bring food for the outdoor picnic tables or plan a meal nearby.
  • Groups of 20 or more get $3 off per ticket.

The holiday season is busy here. The Christmas City Express runs from late November to just before Christmas and starts with a storybook reading inside the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, and the Christmas Tree Train carries families to Knife River to choose a fresh-cut North Shore tree that is loaded aboard for the ride home. Book early, and see our guide to Christmas train rides in Minnesota for more ideas. In late October, the Terror Train is a three-hour costume party for adults rather than a kids' event.

Volunteers aboard every train

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum operates the railroad as a wholly owned subsidiary, with a strong corps of volunteers working alongside staff. The railroad's website also collects donations for the museum's current projects, and you can support both by buying a museum combo ticket, the museum's 84-page color guidebook or a gift from the shop.

Pair the ride with these Duluth stops

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum shares the Depot, so you can walk from the platform into its galleries. The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway historic collection ties into the same iron range story, and the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Trego is about 64 miles away. Find more in our guide to Minnesota train museums.

Every train museum in Minnesota

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This railroad puts an attendant at every car door to help riders climb aboard, and that reminds me of Mr. Conductor in our book. He is in his blue uniform, holding out a hand to a very small corgi while Mom and Dad smile behind him. My mom always said the kindest person on a train is the one helping you onto it. You can read why that idea mattered so much to her on our story page.

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 North Shore Scenic Railroad?

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.

North Shore Scenic Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

How much are North Shore Scenic Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, Duluth Zephyr coach seats are $24 for adults and $12 for children 3 to 13, and kids 2 and under ride free without a ticket. First Class seats in the upstairs SkyView Dome Car are $46 for every rider, babies included. Special trains are priced separately on duluthtrains.com.

Are there North Shore Scenic Railroad ticket discounts?

Yes. With a train ticket you can add Lake Superior Railroad Museum admission at 50 percent off, either when you book or when you arrive. Groups of 20 or more save $3 per ticket on scheduled excursions as of May 2026. Call the ticket office at (218) 722-1273 to set up a group reservation.

Where does the North Shore Scenic Railroad leave from in Duluth, MN?

Trains depart from the historic Depot at 506 W Michigan St. in downtown Duluth, the same building that houses the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. The ticket office there is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Most trips are round trips back to the Depot.

What is the North Shore Scenic Railroad schedule?

As of October 2026, excursions generally run Fridays through Sundays in summer and fall. The Duluth Zephyr departs at 11 am and the Northwoods Explorer at 1:30 pm on those days. Holiday trains run from late November into December. Check the excursion calendar on duluthtrains.com for exact dates.

What is the North Shore Scenic Railroad route?

The railroad runs on the historic Lakefront Line between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minnesota. Trains pass through downtown Duluth and Canal Park, follow the Lake Superior shoreline, cross the wooded Congdon neighborhood and head into the north woods. The railroad posts a route map and a detailed technical track chart on its About page.

How long is the North Shore Scenic Railroad ride?

It depends on the trip. The Duluth Zephyr takes 75 minutes, the Northwoods Explorer about 2.5 hours, and the Autumn Pie Train to Knife River about three hours. A round trip to Two Harbors runs four hours or more. The railroad describes its line as roughly 26 to 28 miles of track.

What is the Pizza Train on the North Shore Scenic Railroad?

The Pizza Party Express, sometimes called the Music and Pizza Train, is a special excursion with pizza on board. It is one of the few trips with regular wheelchair access to the concession car. As of May 2026, group rates were $35 for adults and $23 for children 3 to 13 for parties of 20 or more.

Does the North Shore Scenic Railroad run a Christmas train?

Yes, two. The Christmas City Express runs from November 27 to December 20 in 2026 and begins with a storybook reading in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. The Christmas Tree Train on November 28 travels to Knife River, where families pick a fresh-cut tree that is loaded onto the train for the trip back.

What is the Christmas City Express?

The Christmas City Express is a holiday storybook experience recommended for families with children. The performance starts inside the Lake Superior Railroad Museum with a reading of the Christmas City Express book before guests continue the experience by train. As of October 2026, it runs November 27 through December 20. Tickets sell through duluthtrains.com.

Is the North Shore Scenic Railroad connected to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum?

Yes. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum has operated the North Shore Scenic Railroad since 1996, and the railroad is its wholly owned subsidiary. Trains use historic equipment from the museum's collection and leave from the same Depot. A train ticket gets you 50 percent off museum admission.

What locomotives and cars are on the North Shore Scenic Railroad roster?

The railroad runs historic equipment from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum collection, including vintage coaches, a concession car and the SkyView Dome Car. Steam Locomotive No. 332 has its own update page. The museum's 84-page color guidebook, $19 with shipping, lists every holding with specs and photos.

When is the North Shore Scenic Railroad steam locomotive going to run?

The railroad posts regular updates about Steam Locomotive No. 332 on the steam page of its website rather than a fixed schedule. Check that page before you plan a trip around steam, or call the ticket office at (218) 722-1273 to ask about upcoming steam dates.

Where do you park for the North Shore Scenic Railroad?

The railroad does not list parking details on its excursion pages. Trains leave from the Depot at 506 W Michigan St. in downtown Duluth, and the railroad keeps a directions page on its website. Call (218) 722-1273 if you need help planning where to park before a departure.

Is the North Shore Scenic Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes, especially the 75-minute Duluth Zephyr, which is the shortest trip. Children 2 and under ride free in coach on most excursions, and you can pick a car with open windows or heat. Boarding takes about four steps, with railings and a step stool, and snacks are sold aboard.

Is the North Shore Scenic Railroad wheelchair accessible?

Partly. A lift at the Duluth station gives wheelchair access to the baggage and concession car on the Duluth Zephyr, Northwoods Explorer and pizza trains, where guests ride on folding chairs near staff. Other cars and trips require steps, there is no lift at Two Harbors, and onboard restrooms are not accessible. Call (218) 722-1273 ahead.

Can kids ride the North Shore Scenic Railroad alone?

Riders must be at least 16 to ride without an adult. Younger children of any age are welcome with an adult chaperone. Alcohol is sold on board only to guests 21 and older with identification.

Is there food on the North Shore Scenic Railroad?

Light snacks such as candy and chips are sold on board, along with soft drinks, juice and water, plus beer, wine and seltzers for guests 21 and older. Cash and cards are accepted. There are no restaurants in the Duluth Depot, but there are outdoor picnic tables and a few places to eat within walking distance.

Does the North Shore Scenic Railroad do group trips and charters?

Yes. Groups of 20 or more can join a scheduled trip at a discount, and larger groups can charter coaches or a whole train based on equipment availability. As of May 2026, a 75-minute Zephyr route charter for up to 120 passengers started at $2,050. A $50 non-refundable deposit holds a group reservation.

Who started the North Shore Scenic Railroad?

Donald Shank, a former general manager and vice president of the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway, started the railroad in 1990 with county and private funding. The Goldfine family ran it from 1991 for five seasons, and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum took over in 1996.

What is North Shore Scenic Railroad 250?

The railroad's own pages do not describe a program by that name. Searches for it often relate to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, which shares the Depot and owns the railroad, so check the news section on lsrm.org or call (218) 722-1273 for the latest.

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