Another rail related update from Mid-Continent! On the weekend of May 3rd and 4th, we replaced the wooden ties and pit timbers on track #2 inside our Engine House! The pit area is critical infrastructure to perform locomotive servicing and regular maintenance making its upkeep integral.
We have had multiple teams working on various projects and great progress has been made. We are now working on the installation of the steam and air lines. As of right now, we are still looking for funding to bring the #1385 home. Thank you for your continued help and support on the full restoration of the #1385!
Sincerely,
Andy
MCRY President
Donations can be made online by clicking the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QWRDMKVLN9CHU
You can also make a donation by phone or mail. (If donating with a check, please write ‘Bring the #1385 Home Fund’ in the memo line.) For assistance, contact our office staff at 608-522-4261. For more information and weekly updated donation fund thermometer, please check out our Facebook or our website post titled, “Your Help is Needed to Bring the C&NW #1385 Home Again!”
🚂 #1385 Cab, Hand Rails, and Smoke Stack Installation/Donation Update 🚂
The #1385 now has its hand rails and smoke stack installed!
As of today (3/13/2025), we are now up to $23,895 on our Bring the #1385 Home Fund! We have an end goal of $80,000 in order to transport the steam locomotive back to Mid-Continent. For more information and weekly updated donation fund thermometer, please check out our Facebook or our website post titled, “Your Help is Needed to Bring the C&NW #1385 Home Again!”
If you would like to donate online, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QWRDMKVLN9CHU
Donations can also be made by phone or mail. (If donating with a check, please write ‘Bring the #1385 Home Fund’ in the memo line.) For assistance, contact our office staff at 608-522-4261.
Members, Friends, and Supporters of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum
We are now raising funds to bring our #1385 Chicago & North Western R-1 class steam locomotive home. As most of you know, the locomotive has been out of service for a little over 26 years and away from the museum since 2013. Finally, in 2025, we plan on bringing #1385 back to Mid-Continent.
The plan is to move the engine by truck and load it onto a flat car. From there, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad will bring the engine back by rail. This move will include three crane lifts, transportation and securing. With the information we have now our latest estimate, including all required work, is around $80,000. Once it’s back home, final assembly and testing can begin. Our goal is to have #1385 ready for operation in 2026. Please help support the Bring the #1385 Home Fund.
If you would like to donate online, please click the button below. Donations can also be made by phone or mail. (If donating with a check, please write ‘Bring the #1385 Home Fund’ in the memo line.) Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 358
E8948 Museum Road
North Freedom, WI 53951
For assistance, contact our office staff at 608-522-4261.
The raised amount is accurate as of 4/30/2025.
Sincerely,
Andy Spinelli
President
Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Catch up on all the restoration progress on Duluth South Shore & Atlantic sleeping car DULUTH by reading the 2024 Progress Report.
To help Mid-Continent restore the DULUTH to its former glory, please consider making a donation to the DSS&A Sleeper DULUTH Fund. Donating is tax-deductible and easy to do. You can make your donation via mail or donate online using the donate button below.
If you choose to donate by mail, please be sure to write in “DSS&A Sleeper DULUTH Fund” on the printable donation form or check memo line. Credit/debit card donations can also be accepted via phone at 608-522-4261 or 800-930-1385 by speaking to our staff during administrative office hours Monday-Friday.