Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
What’s Next for the DULUTH?
Given the scope of the project and the resources needed to restore the DULUTH, the restoration effort will be a multi-year project that will be executed in phases. Now that the DULUTH is back on 6-wheel trucks and has draft gear, the next step will be to reinstall the brake system. Plans also call for moving the DULUTH into one of the museum’s buildings after the completion of Coach Shed #2 (in 2018) to prevent further deterioration and to assist with restoring the car. A detailed scope of work, tasks, and the restoration schedule are presently in the process of being developed. To kick off the next phase of restoration tasks, a $75,000 fundraising effort is underway to allow major material acquisition and some labor cost during the next three years.
Request For Help
Please consider making a donation to the DSS&A Sleeper DULUTH Fund so Mid-Continent can restore the DULUTH sleeping car to its former glory. Make your donation via mail or donate online using the Donate button.
Be sure to write in “DSS&A Sleeper DULUTH Fund” on the printed form or check memo line if sending a donation by mail. Credit/debit card donations can also be accepted by phone at 608-522-4261 or 800-930-1385 during museum office hours. All donations are tax-deductible.
DSS&A sleeping car Duluth interior, May 2017.
DSS&A DULUTH sleeping car floor plan in 1924.
DSS&A DULUTH sleeping car floor plan as of 2017 after modifications for use as a summer cabin.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Thank you to those who participated in the C&NW #1385 Cab Experience silent auction at the 1385’s Homecoming Celebration event. The winning bid from a Baraboo resident came in at $1,005.00. The winner will enjoy the opportunity to join the crew in the 1385’s cab during a future run of the locomotive.
After several years away, the Chicago & North Western #1385 steam locomotive is finally returning to Mid-Continent Railway Museum to complete the final steps of its restoration. To celebrate this monumental event, we will be hosting a #1385 Homecoming Ceremony for the locomotive at the museum. Starting at 4:30 PM on Saturday, July 12th you can…
🎉 Watch the #1385 arriving at our museum depot on its flatcar 🎤 Hear speeches from our museum project leaders 📸 Snap a group photo and witness the banner breakthrough 🍿 Enjoy snacks and drinks that will be provided throughout the event
PLUS… Bid in our silent auction for a “#1385 Cab Experience” ticket!
This ticket will allow the highest bidder to enjoy a private tour of the locomotive, fire it with coal, and blow the whistle during a future test run in the museum train yard! All proceeds will go to finishing the #1385’s restoration and eventual operation in 2026. The rules of the “C&NW #1385 Cab Experience” Auction are listed below.
We would also like to welcome everyone back to the museum on Monday, July 14th at 9:00 AM to witness the locomotive being lifted back onto the tracks and paired with its tender.
Rules of the “C&NW #1385 Cab Experience” Auction
The C&NW #1385 Cab Experience Auction will be a sealed-bid charity auction held at the 1385 Homecoming Celebration. Here’s what that means…
How to Bid:
Bids are entered by making a donation in support of the C&NW 1385 project. Regardless of whether you win the auction prize or not, you still get to enjoy the good feeling that 100% of your donation is directly supporting the goal of finishing 1385’s restoration back to operation.
Bids are made privately in a sealed envelope at the Homecoming event on July 12th or by using a bidding link/QR to be provided in person at the homecoming event. Credit/debit/PayPal bids will be made using the secure PayPal platform and do not require a PayPal account.
Only one bid is allowed per person – so make it your best offer! Bids cannot be combined or added to once submitted.
Bidding closes at 6:30 PM CDT on Saturday, July 12th. At the close of the bidding period, the individual that submitted the highest bid/donation wins the 1385 Cab Experience prize.
Mid-Continent will not be listing the current high bid while bidding is open.
The sealed bids/donations will be reviewed and the winner notified within 48 hours of the close of bidding. The winner will remain confidential. The amount of the winning bid will be announced.
All bids/donations will receive a donation acknowledgement at the end of the year tax year, per Mid-Continent’s donation acknowledgement policy. The winning bidder will receive a donation acknowledgement for the amount of the donation less the Fair Market Value of the award. The Fair Market Value of this prize is $300.00
Additional terms and conditions:
There is no minimum bid.
In the event there is a tie for the highest bid, the names of the tied individuals will be placed into a hat and drawn to determine the winner of the auction.
The exact date for redeeming the prize is to-be-determined because the steam locomotive project is still in progress. We are working diligently to complete the necessary fundraising and work to reach the phase of #1385’s restoration where test runs can begin. Mid-Continent will work with the winner to arrange a date for the #1385 Cab Experience that works for both parties. If for any reason the prize cannot be awarded or a mutually agreeable date is not available, the winner will be provided a Mid-Continent Railway Museum gift card equal to the Fair Market Value and redeemable toward any publicly available tickets.
🎉 We’re wishing our Montana Western #31 (AKA Great Northern #2313) a happy 100 year anniversary this year! 🎉
Its newly restored model 106A Winton engine has been returned to Mid-Continent and is now back inside the gas-electric motor car. This engine restoration could not have happened without all of your support!
The mechanical and cosmetic restoration of our model 106A Winton engine has been successfully completed and will be shipped back to Mid-Continent! Watch the engine start up below.
This is a huge step in preserving the Montana Western #31 for future generations to learn about and enjoy. We would like to thank you all for your support in completing this restoration!
For more information on the motor car this engine belongs to, please press the button below.
Yesterday we celebrated the completion of our 3 million dollar rail relay and infrastructure overhaul with a “Last Spike” ceremony!
Donors and special guests were invited to ride the first train of the 2025 operating season, marking the start of a new chapter for our railway. At the end of the line, attendees gathered for a series of speeches from Mid-Continent President Andy S., Wisconsin State Assemblyman Tony Kurtz, our Roadmaster Dave B., and Superintendent of Engineering Nick V.
The event concluded with the ceremonial driving of a final golden spike, symbolizing the official completion of the project.
This massive overhaul would not have been possible without the incredible support of our generous donors and the dedication of our volunteers and members. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this project a reality. We’re excited for future generations to enjoy this historic line for decades to come!
