The museum recreates the experience of Midwest branch line railroading as it existed decades ago. Visitors first take a train ride aboard restored 1915 steel passenger cars pulled by a diesel locomotive over the former Chicago & North Western “Rattlesnake Line.” Afterward, there are numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits to discover on the spacious museum grounds. Mid-Continent features a large and historically significant collection of locomotives and wooden cars, many of which have been meticulously restored.
Choices
Trains depart from an 1894 Chicago & North Western depot for a leisurely 7-mile, 55-minute round trip through the Baraboo Hills to Quartzite Lake. The tracks were built in 1903 to serve iron mining in La Rue and were abandoned in 1962.
When to go
Trains operate weekends starting in May, and then daily except Monday from early June until September. Fall Color, Pumpkin Express, and Santa Express trains are also scheduled on weekends during the fall and winter months.
Good to know
The museum is restoring Chicago & North Western steam locomotive No. 1385 to service. This 4-6-0 locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company in 1907 and operated between North Freedom and La Rue when C&NW owned the line.
Worth doing
Don’t miss the Wisconsin Dells, located 20 miles from the North Freedom. A popular vacation spot since the 1850s, the Dells is now one of the largest amusement centers in the Badger State, with waterparks, resorts, campgrounds, and other attractions.
Don’t miss
Explore the Coach Sheds. Inside is a variety of equipment, including Badger No. 2, a 1913 Pullman car fitted with steel tanks that were used by the Wisconsin Fish Commission to carry fish for re-stocking streams and rivers. Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2-8-0, No. 22, recently restored, is displayed in the newly opened Laurence Dorcy Building.
Getting there
From Madison take Highway 12 north. Left on Highway 36 and left on Highway PF to North Freedom. In North Freedom, follow Walnut Street west to the museum.
Location: E8948 Museum Road, North Freedom, WI
Phone: 608-522-4261
Website: midcontinent.org
E-mail: inquiries@midcontinent.org
