Railroad Museum of Minot, North Dakota

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Minot, North Dakota · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Railroad museumSummer hours through August 30; by appointment the rest of the year

The Railroad Museum of Minot is a nonprofit museum in downtown Minot that shows how the Great Northern and the Soo Line turned the city into a North Dakota transportation hub, through cabooses, a winter wedge plow, artifacts and more than 1,000 feet of model railroad.

  • Four cabooses on the grounds
  • Rare wedge snowplow
  • 1,000+ feet of model track
  • Covers 1886 to the present
  • Great Northern and Soo Line history
  • Walkable downtown location

Railroad Museum of Minot at a glance

Hours
Summer hours through August 30; by appointment off season. Older listings show Fridays 12 pm to 4 pm and Saturdays
Admission
Not posted online; call (701) 852-7091
Plan for
About 1 to 2 hours
Best for
Families with young train fans and rail history buffs
Best ages
Ages 3 and up

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Railroad Museum of Minot? 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 Minot.

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.

The railroads that made Minot a hub

Minot grew up because of the railroad, and the Railroad Museum of Minot exists to keep that story in front of the people who live there now. The nonprofit museum focuses on the period from 1886 to the present and on the two lines most tied to the city, the Great Northern and the Soo Line. Its location matters: the museum stands along those historic routes, in the downtown the railroads helped build.

The museum's mission reaches past the city limits to the railroad history of North Dakota and the wider Upper Midwest. It collects the everyday material of railroading, from signals, tools and uniforms to maps, logs, records and photographs, and pairs it with full-size equipment outside. That outdoor collection includes four cabooses and a wedge plow, a rare piece of maintenance-of-way equipment built to fight the state's winters.

Much of the museum's character comes from volunteers. Members of the Souris Valley Model Railroad Association run the large model railroad layout, which is open during museum hours whenever an association member is on hand. The museum supports itself through ticket sales, memberships, fundraisers and donations, and it welcomes visitors of all ages to the hands-on displays.

Cabooses outside, a big layout inside

Outside, the full-size equipment gives kids and grown-ups a close look at railroad hardware: four cabooses and a rare wedge plow that cleared North Dakota track of snow. Inside, exhibits trace railroading in and around Minot through memorabilia, maps, photographs, logs, records, signals, tools and uniforms, with hands-on displays mixed in for younger visitors.

The model railroad is the other big draw. North Dakota Tourism counts more than 1,000 feet of model train track on display, and the Souris Valley Model Railroad Association runs it when a member is present, so the trains may or may not be running on a given day. Because the museum is downtown, it is easy to walk to lunch or nearby shops afterward.

Don’t miss

  1. The wedge plowA rare piece of snow-fighting equipment that shows how railroaders kept trains moving through North Dakota winters.
  2. The four caboosesFull-size cabooses on the museum grounds give an up-close look at the car where train crews once rode and worked.
  3. Souris Valley model railroadMore than 1,000 feet of model track, run by local modelers when an association member is at the museum.
  4. Great Northern and Soo Line exhibitsMaps, photographs, records and memorabilia explain how the two railroads shaped Minot from 1886 onward.
  5. Signals, tools and uniformsEveryday railroad gear that helps visitors picture the jobs behind the trains.

Cabooses, a big model layout and hands-on displays

The museum says it welcomes visitors of all ages, and the mix works well for kids: hands-on displays indoors, full-size cabooses and the wedge plow outside, and a model railroad with more than 1,000 feet of track. Young train fans tend to stay longest at the layout, so call ahead to ask whether a Souris Valley Model Railroad Association member will be there to run trains on your day.

Plan your visit: tips for Railroad Museum of Minot

  • Outside the summer season, call (701) 852-7091 to set up an appointment.
  • The model layout runs only when an association member is present, so ask ahead if trains are a must.
  • The museum is downtown and within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
  • Check railroadmuseumofminot.org for the current season's hours before you go.

A nonprofit and a model railroad association

The Railroad Museum of Minot is a nonprofit that relies on ticket sales, memberships, fundraisers and donations, and volunteers from the Souris Valley Model Railroad Association keep the model layout running. Visitors can help by becoming members, donating, or asking about volunteering through the contact form on the museum's website.

Rail history a drive from Minot

The North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan is about 97 miles south, and railroad history in Bismarck is about 102 miles away. The Northern Pacific depot in Dickinson is about 117 miles southwest. For the whole list, see train museums in North Dakota.

Every train museum in North Dakota

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Every caboose I see makes me wonder who sat at its windows and what they watched go by. In our book, Rally presses his nose to an arched window, looks out at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Minot is a long way from the Pacific, but I like picturing a little dog in one of these cabooses, watching the prairie roll by instead.

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 Railroad Museum of Minot?

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.

Railroad Museum of Minot: 20 questions visitors ask

What is the Railroad Museum of Minot?

The Railroad Museum of Minot is a nonprofit museum in downtown Minot, North Dakota, dedicated to the railroad history of the state and the Upper Midwest. It focuses on the Great Northern and Soo Line and on the years from 1886 to the present, with cabooses, a wedge plow, artifacts and a large model railroad.

Where is the Railroad Museum of Minot in Minot, ND?

The museum is at 19 1st Street Northeast, Minot, North Dakota 58703, in downtown Minot. The museum notes that it is within walking distance of restaurants, shops and other local attractions, so it is easy to pair with lunch. Call (701) 852-7091 if you need directions.

What are the Railroad Museum of Minot hours?

As of October 2026, the museum's website says summer hours run through August 30 and that visits are currently by appointment. An earlier North Dakota Tourism listing showed Fridays from 12 pm to 4 pm plus Saturday hours. Check railroadmuseumofminot.org or call (701) 852-7091 for the current schedule.

How much are Railroad Museum of Minot tickets?

The museum does not post ticket prices on its website, though it does list ticket sales among the ways it supports itself. Call (701) 852-7091 or use the contact form on railroadmuseumofminot.org to ask about current admission, and about any rates for families or groups.

Can I visit the Railroad Museum of Minot by appointment?

Yes. Outside the summer season, the museum lists its hours as by appointment. Call (701) 852-7091 or send a message through the email form on the museum's website a few days ahead, and mention whether you hope to see the model railroad running so volunteers can plan for it.

Where can I see Railroad Museum of Minot photos?

The museum's website and its Facebook page are the best places for current photos of the cabooses, the wedge plow, the exhibits and the model railroad. Tripadvisor also has a listing for the museum where visitors post pictures. Looking ahead is a good way to show kids what they will see.

What do reviews say about the Railroad Museum of Minot?

Visitor reviews are collected on the museum's Tripadvisor listing and its Facebook page. Travel listings highlight the authentic cabooses, maintenance-of-way equipment, signals and photographs, as well as the hands-on displays for visitors of all ages. Read recent reviews for the latest on hours and what was open.

What railroads does the Railroad Museum of Minot cover?

The museum centers on the Great Northern and the Soo Line, the two railroads that helped establish Minot as a major North Dakota transportation hub. It sits along their historic routes and covers railroad history from 1886 to the present, with a wider view of North Dakota and the Upper Midwest.

Does the Railroad Museum of Minot have cabooses?

Yes. Four cabooses stand on the museum grounds as part of its outdoor rolling stock, along with a rare wedge plow. These full-size cars give visitors an up-close look at railroad history. Ask on site which cars are open to step inside on the day you visit.

What is the wedge plow at the Railroad Museum of Minot?

The wedge plow is a rare piece of railroad equipment that was used to battle North Dakota winters by clearing snow from the tracks. It is displayed outdoors with the museum's four cabooses. It is a good way to explain to kids how trains kept running through prairie blizzards.

Is there a model railroad at the Railroad Museum of Minot?

Yes. The museum has a large model railroad with more than 1,000 feet of track, run by the Souris Valley Model Railroad Association. It is open during museum hours when an association member is present, and availability depends on volunteer schedules, so call ahead if seeing trains run matters.

Is the Railroad Museum of Minot good for kids?

Yes. The museum says it welcomes visitors of all ages and has many hands-on displays. Kids usually enjoy the cabooses and the wedge plow outdoors and the model railroad indoors. Ask ahead whether the layout will be running, since that is often the highlight for young train fans.

How long does a visit to the Railroad Museum of Minot take?

Most families spend about one to two hours exploring the exhibits, the outdoor cabooses and the model railroad. Rail fans who want to read the maps, logs and records may stay longer. Because it is downtown, it is easy to add a meal or a walk nearby.

What will I see inside the Railroad Museum of Minot?

Indoor exhibits include railroad memorabilia, maps, photographs, logs, records, signals, tools and uniforms, along with hands-on displays and the large model railroad. Together they tell how railroads shaped Minot and the region from 1886 onward. The full-size cabooses and wedge plow are outside.

Is the Railroad Museum of Minot wheelchair accessible?

The museum does not post accessibility details online. Indoor exhibits and the model railroad are inside the building, while the cabooses and wedge plow are outdoors on the grounds. Call (701) 852-7091 before your visit to ask about entrances, paths and access to the rolling stock.

Can groups or schools visit the Railroad Museum of Minot?

The museum promotes public education and welcomes visitors of all ages, and its by-appointment hours make it possible to arrange a visit outside regular times. It does not post a formal group program online, so call (701) 852-7091 or use the website's contact form to plan a school or group trip.

How can I support the Railroad Museum of Minot?

The museum is a nonprofit that supports itself through ticket sales, memberships, fundraisers and donations. Becoming a member or donating are the most direct ways to help. If you enjoy model railroading, ask about the Souris Valley Model Railroad Association, whose volunteers run the layout.

Is there parking at the Railroad Museum of Minot?

The museum does not list parking details online. It is in downtown Minot at 19 1st Street Northeast, so plan on nearby downtown parking. Call (701) 852-7091 ahead of your visit if you are bringing a larger vehicle or a group and want advice on where to park.

Does the Railroad Museum of Minot hold special events?

The museum supports itself partly through fundraisers, but it does not list a regular events calendar on its website. Follow its Facebook page for announcements of special days, open houses or fundraisers, and check the website before planning a trip around an event.

What other train museums are near Minot?

The North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan is about 97 miles south, and railroad history stops in Bismarck are about 102 miles away. The Northern Pacific Railway Depot Museum in Dickinson is about 117 miles southwest, which makes a western North Dakota rail loop possible.

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