Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Your help is needed to keep the DULUTH sleeping car project moving ahead as part of the multi-year restoration plan. To keep the project on schedule, Mid-Continent Railway Museum is announcing a matching fund drive with a goal of raising $30,000 for the project by the end of 2021.
Click on image to view the Fund Drive Flyer
What This Fund Drive is For
The purpose of this fund drive is to raise needed funds for several key areas of the car’s restoration, including:
restoring the sleeping compartment woodwork and components
restoring the interior ceilings and headliners
restoring/recreating the stained glass windows
purchase new poplar siding and trim for the exterior
purchase green plush fabric for the seats
Double Your Gift!
A select group of individuals has generously pledged to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 to help us reach our goal of $30,000! Now we need your help to take full advantage of the matching offer and to have the necessary funding for restoration work through 2022.
To offer more flexibility and options for donors to take advantage of this matching offer, payment can be deferred until June of 2022 provided a pledge is made by the end of 2021.
How to Donate
Making your donation to the DULUTH project and getting it matched is easy and takes only a few minutes.
Donate by Check
Donations by check can be made out to Mid-Continent Railway Museum and mailed to:
Mid-Continent Railway Museum P.O. Box 358 North Freedom, WI 53951
Be sure to write “DULUTH Matching Fund Drive” on the check memo line so we can properly process your donation.
Donate by Charge Card or PayPal
You can donate instantly using any major credit or debit card or by PayPal.
We need your help to reach $15,000 in donations for the DULUTH so that we can collect the match and raise the full $30,000 for the project. This page will be updated on a regular basis to show our progress toward that goal.
Current Progress
Donations & Pledges Received
$4,395
as of June 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Total Impact
Total Impact So Far
$8,790
as of June 10, 2021 at 11:00 PM
Additional Donations & Pledges Needed to Reach Goal
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
We had a successful and safe volunteer session on the D&R #9 this last weekend, along with very cooperative weather. Only a light rain on Saturday morning. On both Saturday and Sunday, we had anywhere between 3 and 8 volunteers at any one time, and I want to give a huge thank you to those volunteers.
Fletcher works on removing the #9’s class lamps.
Steve Pahl Sr. works atop the boiler to remove appliances while Fletcher looks on from the cab.
Lowering the hefty rear headlight which was removed from the tender.
Rear headlight assembly being removed to permit restoration work.
With their help, we tackled “low hanging fruit,” and removed the rear light on the tender, the class lamps on the boiler, and most of the remaining loose parts and pieces that were in the locomotive. All those items are now stored and ready for individual restoration. We also removed the old rotting running boards from the flanks of the boiler, as they were only being held up by termites, so an obvious safety issue. We attempted to replace them with temporary running boards, but the old rusty original bolts prevented us from doing that for now. The only thing we were unsuccessful at was removing the #9’s bell. With the weight, and the height that it would have to be lowered using only manpower, we decided to play it safe and wait. We hope to get the #9 moved to a nearby location in the near future in hopes we can make access for equipment to be able to help us remove the bell and cradle.
As of now, we do not have a volunteer session planned for June but will send out that info when dates are determined. Again, thanks for everyone’s help this last weekend.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Mid-Continent Railway Museum is now open Saturdays and Sundays through October 17th. Mid-Continent is dedicated to keeping our visitors safe above all else. This post contains important information regarding visiting Mid-Continent Railway Museum during our 2021 season.
Schedule Changes
In response to anticipated decreases in the number of visitors and greater operating challenges during a pandemic, Mid-Continent has reduced its museum and train ride schedule to Saturdays and Sundays only in 2021.
Groups of 20 or people may still be able to be charter a train ride on weekdays between May and October. Please contact our office with any group inquiries.
Increased Likelihood of Cancellations
Due to the evolving pandemic situation, Mid-Continent Railway Museum reserves the right to cancel or alter schedules from those advertised. All Onboard Dining Trains scheduled for 2021 have been canceled due to the added challenges associated with offering food service during a pandemic. At this point, all Coach Trains (i.e. non-food-service trains) are operating as scheduled, but additional cancellations are possible. Our website contains the most up-to-date schedule information and can be viewed on our Plan Your Visit page.
In the event train departures are canceled, reservation-holders will be notified as soon as possible and will be offered a full cash-back refund or the ability to transfer the ticket value to a future departure or a gift card.
Book with Confidence
During the pandemic, we understand that last-minute changes of plans may become necessary due to the need to follow self-isolation protocols, quarantines, or if experiencing the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. For this reason, we have adjusted our cancellation policy. If you need to cancel your booking due to COVID-19 related concerns, please contact us as soon as possible to be offered the greatest flexibility on refunds or rebooking.
Passengers are implored to cancel their visit if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, believe they may be infected, or recently had close contact with someone who is infected.
Health Safety Precautions
Mid-Continent is taking steps to reduce the risk of transmission aboard our trains and around the museum property.
Face Mask Usage
Although the State of Wisconsin has eliminated its mask mandate and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has relaxed its mask recommendation for vaccinated individuals, the CDC still requires mask usage aboard public transportation, including all airplanes, trains, buses, and while at transportation facilities. This includes Mid-Continent Railway Museum. This is a federal regulation and is not up to Mid-Continent. Suitable face masks must be worn at all times aboard Mid-Continent trains and while on Mid-Continent property.
Federal-level regulations still require facemasks to be worn aboard all passenger trains and at transportation facilities, including Mid-Continent.
Refusal to wear a mask will result in denial of entry. Any individual that harasses or threatens railroad employees with regards to mask requirements may be subject to Federal civil penalties under Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations with fines ranging from $250 to $1,500.
With the exception of individuals with Special Circumstances listed below, all individuals must wear a mask that: a. Completely covers their nose and mouth b. Is secured to their head with ties or ear loops.
A face shield and/or goggles are not an acceptable substitute for the use of a mask, but may be used in addition to one.
Masks can be either manufactured or homemade and should be a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, or punctures. Medical masks and N-95 respirators fulfill the requirement.
Special Circumstances
The following individuals may be permitted to proceed without a mask:
Individuals under the age of two (2) years old
An individual with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). This exemption does not apply to individuals for whom mask-wearing may only be difficult. For additional information and examples of what constitutes an eligible exemption, refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
Individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine or have recovered from COVID-19 are not exempted from mask requirements.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ORDER
Social Distancing
Where possible, Mid-Continent Railway Museum is reducing the capacity of its trains by 50% or more to allow social distancing. Please follow instructions from signage and provided by museum staff and remain a minimum of six (6) feet away, or two coach seats, from persons not in your own party.
Because of the greatly reduced capacity aboard Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s train rides to accommodate social distancing, advance ticket purchases are highly recommended this year.
Other Precautions
Hand sanitizer stations have been made available at numerous locations around Mid-Continent Railway Museum property and aboard our trains.
High traffic areas of the museum and railroad passenger cars will be cleaned with increased frequency using FDA-approved anti-viral cleaning agents.
A capacity limit has been posted for the museum Gift Shop.
Volunteers and Member Activities
Per Federal Railroad Administration order, Museum staff and volunteers are required to wear masks while working in all areas of Mid-Continent Railway Museum property (including non-public areas), and aboard all trains under. Social distancing is to be observed. Work session leaders can provide additional instructions.
Contacting Mid-Continent
To facilitate social distancing/telecommuting of our administrative employees, staffed office hours of the museum’s Administrative Office Building have been reduced. Mail, voicemails, and emails will continue to be checked frequently. Please allow up to 1-2 business days for a response. Any in-person meetings with office staff should be arranged ahead of time to guarantee availability.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Due to the challenges associated with offering onboard dining during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mid-Continent Railway Museum is announcing the cancellation of all ONBOARD DINING TRAINS for the remainder of 2021.
We apologize for any inconvenience these cancellations may cause. The cancellations do NOT affect Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s COACH TRAINS, which continue to operate as scheduled and are better able to accommodate CDC social distancing and mask requirements.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Mid-Continent Railway Museum to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum is pleased to announce that it has joined museums nationwide once again this summer in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families. The 2021 program at Mid-Continent begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, 2021, and ends on Sunday, September 5, 2021 – the last day of train rides prior to the program’s nationwide end date on Labor Day, September 6th.
Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums. Blue Star Museums includes children’s museums, art, science, and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses and more from all 50 states.
The free admission program is available to those currently-serving in the United States Military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.
Discount Details at Mid-Continent and How to Claim Your Tickets
The Blue Star Museums program is limited to active military members and up to five family members. The serving military member need not be present.
The Blue Star Museums program ends at Mid-Continent on September 5, 2021.
Although the Blue Star program is for active military members only, Mid-Continent offers both active and retired military members a discount of $10 off their ticket every day we’re open all season long. Active and retired military members also can claim a free coach ticket during our Stars & Stripes Special weekend. These discounts outside of the Blue Star Museums program do not extend to family members.
Free or discounted tickets are valid toward coach car seating. Discounts not valid toward onboard dining tickets.
Free or discounted tickets must be claimed at the ticket window and are not available through the online reservation system. CAC card, DD Form 1173 ID card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID cards must be available to be presented to the ticket agent upon request.
About Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society–also known as Mid-Continent Railway Museum–is an outdoor, living museum and operating railroad recreating the small town/short line way of life during the “Golden Age of Railroading,” with operating trains, educational exhibits, and displays of restored rolling stock. Mid-Continent has operated at North Freedom, Wisconsin since 1963.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.
About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families is the nation’s largest grass-roots military family support organization, with a mission to support military families to improve military readiness. Its distinctive approach builds stronger communities around military families through knowledge and programs that address the unique needs of those who serve. Blue Star Families’ nationally recognized surveys and analysis give military families an important voice that informs policymakers and its military family programs. It uses the power of its collective resources and cross-sector collaborations to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of military families to strengthen the troops, their families, and our nation as a whole. For more information, visit bluestarfam.org.
