Mid-Continent Railway Museum
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.
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.
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.
Click to see the Mid-Continent Railway Museum plotted on a Google Maps page
1966 tourist train guide ad / collection
1970 brochure / collection
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
MCRM overhead / Google Maps
Motive Power
Western Coal & Coke #1
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
Western Coal & Coke #1
to Lethbridge Collieries, 1935
retired at Plyami, Alberta, 1964
to private ownership, 1965
to Mid-Continent Rwy Museum, 1965
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
Dardanelle & Russellville #9
North Freedom, Wi /Jun 1970
Dardanelle & Russellville #9
to New Orleans & Northeastern #232
to Birmingham rail and Locomotive
to Dardanelle & Russellville #9
to Mid-Continent Rwy Museum, 1963
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1992 / Eddie Gross
museum photo / web
See also our Dardanelle & Russellville scrapbook in Shortlines
Central Illinois Public Service #6
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
Central Illinois Public Service #6
to Crocker-Weller Electric Co
to Central Illinois Pub Service #6, 1953
to Mid Continent Rwy Museum in 1965
Publications
collection
collection
1966 tourist train guide ad / collection
1971 tourist train guide ad / collection
1980 tourist train guide ad / collection
1989 tourist train guide ad / collection
2019 tourist train guide ad / collection
Lagniappe
The Darling of North Freedom
Jun 1970 / image JCH artwork RWH
Snapshots
North Freedom, Wi / Jun 1970 / JCH
Links / Sources
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum website
- Wikipedia article for Mid-Continent Railway Museum
