Mid-Continent Railway Museum

The Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin, is a treasured outdoor living history museum and operating railroad dedicated to recreating the authentic small-town short-line railroad experience of the Golden Age of Railroading between 1880 and 1916. Founded in 1959 as the Railway Historical Society of Milwaukee and established at its present location in 1963, the museum operates over 4.2 miles of original Chicago & North Western Railway track purchased from the railroad itself. The excursion train makes a 7-mile roundtrip from the beautifully preserved 1894 C&NW depot — relocated from Rock Springs, Wisconsin — through the former iron mining community of La Rue and back, offering approximately one hour of authentic steam and diesel-powered railroading through scenic Sauk County countryside. The museum holds one of the most important collections of wooden passenger cars in the United States, along with nine steam locomotives, eight diesel locomotives, and over 100 pieces of rolling stock. Particularly notable are five of only six surviving wooden boxcars built by the Mather Stock Car Company and the nation’s last surviving fish car, the Wisconsin Fish Commission’s 1891 Badger Car No. 2. Two steam locomotives are being actively restored to operating condition. Special events include Autumn Color trains, Pumpkin Specials, and Santa Express Weekends.