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Mid-Continent Railway Museum

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Founded in 1959 as the Railway Historical Society of Milwaukee, its sole purpose has been to perpetuate the heritage of steam railroads through the operation and display of authentic railroad equipment. The first attempt to fulfill this mission took place at Hillsboro, Wisconsin, in 1962. But the rules of the rail line owner required the fledgling group to pull its coaches with gas power and leave the steamers for display only. In 1963 the society purchased 4.2 miles of track from the Chicago & North Western Railroad and moved its operations to North Freedom, Wisconsin. That year society members offered steam train rides under their new name, the Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society, Inc. The year 2000 marks our 37th season of operation at North Freedom. In 1998, more than 44,000 visitors enjoyed the sights and sounds of railroading as it was done in the early part of this century.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum

mcrm_state egyptian ince its beginning in 1963, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum has operated steam locomotives and railway equipment on its ex-Chicago & Northwestern trackage at North Freedom, Wisconsin. The museum stables 14 steam engines, 6 diesel-electrics, and a large collection of passenger equipment, operating displays and trains on a regular schedule throughout the year. The facility offers a 55-minute round-trip train ride on a former branch line nestled in a valley between the Baraboo Hills in rural Sauk County.

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Click to see the Mid-Continent Railway Museum plotted on a Google Maps page

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1966 tourist train guide ad / collection

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1970 brochure / collection

Motive Power

Western Coal & Coke #1

  • builder:Montreal Locomotive Company
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Dec 1912, Montreal #53632
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 18x24" cyl, 49" drivers, 145 psi
  • blt Western Coal & Coke #1
    to Lethbridge Collieries, 1935
    retired at Plyami, Alberta, 1964
    to private ownership, 1965
    to Mid-Continent Rwy Museum, 1965
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    Dardanelle & Russellville #9

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Oct 1884, Baldwin #7469
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 19x24" cyl, 51" drivers, 180 psi
  • blt Cincinnati New Orleans Texas Pac #232
    to New Orleans & Northeastern #232
    to Birmingham rail and Locomotive
    to Dardanelle & Russellville #9
    to Mid-Continent Rwy Museum, 1963
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    See also our Dardanelle & Russellville scrapbook in Shortlines

    Central Illinois Public Service #6

  • builder:Vulcan Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:0-4-0T switcher
  • built:Dec 1923, Vulcan #3376
  • fuel:coal/water
  • notes:
  • 14x22" cyl, 38" drivers, 190 psi
  • blt DuPont de Nemours Co. #4
    to Crocker-Weller Electric Co
    to Central Illinois Pub Service #6, 1953
    to Mid Continent Rwy Museum in 1965
  • Publications

    mcrm_brochure1

    collection

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    collection

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    1966 tourist train guide ad / collection

    mcrm_tourist1971

    1971 tourist train guide ad / collection

    mcrm_tourist1980

    1980 tourist train guide ad / collection

    mcrm_tourist1989

    1989 tourist train guide ad / collection

    mcrm_tourist2019

    2019 tourist train guide ad / collection

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    Links / Sources

    This page was updated on 2022-12-27