Category Archives: News

Keep up with the latest news and announcements at Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Mid-Continent is a 2021 Blue Star Museum

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

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.

See the complete list of Blue Star Museums.

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.

Dining Trains Canceled Through September 2021

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

SCHEDULE CHANGE NOTICE:

All ONBOARD DINING departures scheduled through September 2021 have been canceled. The affected departures include:

The above cancellations are in addition to the following previously canceled trains:

These cancellations are being enacted by Mid-Continent Railway Museum to best comply with a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive aimed at reducing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus aboard railroad passenger trains and other forms of mass transit. The directive was originally set to expire in May 2021, but has now been extended by the TSA to September 2021.

After careful consideration, our Dining Services volunteers felt we would be unable to provide passengers aboard these trains the quality experience they expect and deserve while also remaining compliant with the TSA directive.

We apologize for any inconvenience these cancellations may cause. Customers already booked aboard the affected trains are being contacted and will be offered a full refund.

The cancellations do NOT affect Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s COACH TRAINS, which will continue to operate normally while observing social distancing and mask requirements. No food service is offered aboard COACH TRAINS.

Mid-Continent is currently evaluating options for our dining trains scheduled in October and will release additional information on those trains soon.

Related Links:

  1. Transportation Security Administration News Release about the extension of mask rules
  2. Centers for Disease Control Requirements for Face Masks on Public Transportation Convayences and at Transportation Hubs

Update on Mask Requirements at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

Face masks musts still be worn while on Mid-Continent Railway Museum property and aboard all Mid-Continent Railway Museum trains.

Background:

On March 31, 2021 the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the Wisconsin Governor’s executive order requiring the statewide use of masks to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This ruling does NOT overturn the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) order which requires mask usage on airplanes, trains, buses and while at transportation hubs throughout the United States. Under the CDC order, Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s entire property is considered a transportation hub and Mid-Continent’s trains are classified as a public conveyance and are subject to the CDC order.

Refusal to wear a mask while visiting Mid-Continent will result in denied entry. Failure to comply with requests to wear a mask may result in civil fines in accordance with Transportation Security Administration Security Directive 1582/84-21-01. Help make your visit enjoyable for everyone by arriving prepared and with a face mask.

2021 COVID-19 Impacts

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

Mid-Continent Railway Museum is presently closed as part of its normal seasonal closure. After having remained closed for the entirety of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mid-Continent is currently planning to reopen its doors to the public starting on May 8, 2021. Here are some important notices about the planned 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. Typically Mid-Continent would be open 7-days-a-week during the summer. Please see the Train Ride Info page for full schedule information.

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. Please refer to www.midcontinent.org for the most up-to-date schedule information. 

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.

Health Safety Precautions

Mid-Continent is still finalizing its health and sanitation guidelines for our trains and museum property. These rules and precautions may change.

Face Mask Usage

Suitable face masks must be worn at all times while on Mid-Continent Railway Museum property and aboard Mid-Continent Railway trains. Refusal to wear a mask will result in denial of entry. Failure to comply with mask rules while riding trains may result in the person being subject to Federal penalties under Transportation Security Administration regulations.

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, for example, individuals who do not know how to remove their masks, cannot remove them on their own, or cannot communicate promptly to ask someone else to remove their mask. This exemption does not apply to individuals for whom mask-wearing may only be difficult.

Social Distancing

Where possible, Mid-Continent Railway Museum is reducing the capacity of its trains to permit social distancing. Please follow instructions from signage and provided by museum staff and remain a minimum of six (6) feet away from persons not in your own party.

Because of reduced capacity aboard Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s train rides due to social distancing, advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Volunteers and Member Activities

As part of pandemic safety and cost-reduction measures, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum property remains closed to all non-essential personnel through April 3, 2021. No on-site volunteering sessions will occur before that date. Additionally, the member meeting and banquet originally scheduled for April 3, 2021 has been canceled. Upon the return of volunteering sessions, previously adopted social distancing and safety protocols will remain applicable.

Contacting Mid-Continent

To assist with minimizing risk to office staff, our administrative office hours during the winter and early spring are expected to remain very limited. Phone messages, emails, and postal mail are typically read and responded to within two business days.

2021 New Trainman Class

Mid-Continent Railway Museum Posted on by

The Operating Department will hold a class for new trainmen on April 10-11 and May 1-2. The class will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day with a one-hour break for lunch. Attendance at all four days is mandatory to complete the class. The class is held at Mid-Continent and is limited to 6 people, we will create a waiting list for anyone requesting to join the class after the 6th person signs up. The class consists of both classroom and hands-on sessions, with the first weekend being mainly held in the classroom. You must be a member in good standing to be eligible to attend the class, you must be able to lift 50 lbs, and you must be at least 18 years of age. Be aware that you will be required to work outside in all types of weather. The cost to attend the class is free, but you will need to equip yourself with the proper clothing/uniform and will need to buy a rule book. If, after completing your student trips, you qualify as a brakeman you will also have to provide a deposit for the keys you will be issued. All requirements for the class will be explained in the invitation email. Ongoing requirements of staying in the Operating Department will be explained during the class.

We try to hold a class for new trainmen once each year in the spring. If you are considering joining the operating department, you must attend this class to become a trainman. If you left the department without taking any kind of approved leave (leave applies only to a small number of people), you also must take this class if you wish to return and will start as a trainman. No credit will be given for previous service or positions held.

Due to the cancellation of last year’s class, applicants from 2020 have first choice this year, but if you would like more information on the program or would like to be added to a waitlist in the event a seat is available, please send an email or call the MCRM office at (608) 522-4261 or inquiries@midcontinent.org.

If you are selected to attend this year’s class: The first weekend will be entirely indoors at the North Freedom Town Hall. The second weekend in the yard will be mostly outside and require a few specific items (Steel-toe Boots, Gloves/Leather Mittens) and will be discussed in a follow-up email and at the first class. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks/face coverings will be required at all times indoors and on museum property. You will be required to obtain a Consolidated Code of Operating Rules, Edition of 1980, which you can purchase from the museum for $10. The museum has limited quantities and you are free to acquire your own copy of a Consolidated Code of Operating Rules, Edition of 1980 outside the museum (ebay or other sellers), but it is a REQUIRED item to have on your person while on duty. As well, once you qualify, you will need to pay $5 for a switch and “O” key. This is a one-time deposit fee and you will be given a receipt. You will be expected to return the keys should you no longer remain an active volunteer in operations, at which time your deposit fee will also be returned.

ALL details subject to change. We welcome any suggestions or other input. If you are still interested in the Trainman class, but not at this time, please let us know so we can keep you on a list for future classes. We also recommend following our Facebook page and reading the Steamer newsletters.

Thanks,

Christopher E Lorr
Assistant Training Officer
Mid-Continent Railway Museum