Plan Your Visit
Take a memorable, seven-mile, 55-minute round-trip train ride on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway nestled in a valley between the Baraboo Hills in rural Sauk County. Passengers ride in restored steel coaches built a century ago. An authentically attired conductor will call “all aboard!” before the train leaves from a historic wooden depot, built in 1894.
Mid-Continent is much more than just a train ride. Explore the indoor/outdoor museum filled with award-winning restorations and railroad exhibits. In all, there are over 40 train cars and locomotives on display and more under restoration. See them all in our online Equipment Roster.
2023 Dates of Operation
Mid-Continent Railway Museum is open and trains operate on the following schedule:
| 2023 Dates | Status |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1 – May 12 | CLOSED |
| May 13 – June 11 | Open Saturdays and Sundays (plus Memorial Day) |
| June 13 – Sept 4 | Open daily except Mondays (plus July 3 and Labor Day) |
| Sept. 9 – Oct. 22 | Open Saturdays and Sundays |
| Oct. 23 – Nov. 24 | CLOSED |
| Nov. 25 – Dec. 3 | Open Saturdays and Sundays for Santa Express event |
| Dec. 4 – April 2024 | CLOSED |
Museum Hours
The museum grounds and buildings are open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on days trains operate (from 9:00 AM during fall special event weekends).
Train Ride Schedules and Booking
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All trains are powered by diesel locomotives. Read more about our ongoing effort to again operate steam locomotives on our Steam Status page. Mid-Continent reserves the right to substitute equipment without notice.
Are Reservations Necessary?
Reservations are not mandatory for most trains but are encouraged. Passengers without reservations are encouraged to arrive no less than 20 minutes before the train departure time.
Reservations are highly recommended during special events such as Autumn Color Weekends, Pumpkin Special, and Santa Express. These special events sometimes sell out in advance.
Reservations are REQUIRED for dining trains such as BBQ Trains and Pizza Trains. These trains can sometimes sell out months in advance so book your tickets early!
Coach Trains
Coach class seating is the classic Mid-Continent train ride experienced by most of our visitors. Coach class trains depart at least three times per day during each day the museum is open and are the lowest-cost ticket offered.
Special Events
Join Mid-Continent for a trip through the fall foliage, a ride with Santa, and more! Special events mean more departures, more experiences, and a wider variety of ticket options. Click the events listed below for more information.
| Special Event | 2023 Dates |
|---|---|
| 60th Anniversary | May 27 |
| Stars & Stripes Special | July 1-4 |
| Vintage Rail Car Tours | Sept. 30-Oct. 1 |
| Autumn Color Weekend | Oct. 7-8 and 14-15 |
| Pumpkin Express | Oct. 21-22 |
| Santa Express | Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-4 |
Dining Trains
Experience the tradition of dining aboard a train! Onboard dining ticket holders are welcomed aboard one of two First Class railcars, the C&NW #440 business car or the Soo Line #2017 diner-lounge car. We offer a variety of dining menus and experiences. Reservations are required for all onboard dining tickets. Book early! Onboard dining tickets often sell out far in advance.
| Dining Train Type | Date | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Train | June 17 | 11 AM and 3 PM |
| Pizza Train | July 22 | 11 AM and 3 PM |
| BBQ Train | August 26 | 11 AM and 3 PM |
| Pizza Train | September 23 | 11 AM and 3 PM |
Note: Pizza Trains and BBQ Trains are the only dining trains currently planned for 2023. The more labor-intensive Elegant Dinner Trains and other dining trains are not being offered due to a limited number of volunteers currently available. If you wish to see more dining events return, please consider becoming a Dining Services volunteer!
Fares
Coach Class
Coach Class Tickets (Summer and Fall Fares)
| Fare Class | Coach Car Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | $24 |
| Senior (62+) | $22 |
| Child (3-15) | $13 |
| Infant (2 and Under) | Free (ticket required) |
Santa Express Tickets (Winter Fares)
| Fare Class | Coach Car Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | $27 |
| Senior (62+) | $25 |
| Child (3-15) | $14 |
| Infant (2 and Under) | Free (ticket required) |
Dining Train
Dining train fares vary from $36 to $57.
| Age | BBQ Train | Pizza Train |
|---|---|---|
| Adult/Senior (Ages 16+) | $57 | $47 |
| Child (Ages 3-15) | $46 | $36 |
| Infant (2 and Under) | Free (ticket required) | Free (ticket required) |
Group Tickets
Group pricing varies depending on group type, size, and whether the group is visiting on a day Mid-Continent is open to the public. Visits and train rides may be scheduled on days of non-operation by contacting the museum office at 800-930-1385.
| Fare Class | Public Operating Day | Charter Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Group* (20-39 people) | $19 | $21 |
| Adult Group* (40+ people) | $17 | $19 |
| Child Group** | $10 | $11 ($300 min.) |
*Bus driver and group leader ride free with adult groups.
** Bus driver and group leader ride free with child groups. Additional adult supervisors and chaperones pay the child group rate.
Additional Information
How to Find Us
Mid-Continent is located at North Freedom, Wisconsin, about one hour northwest of Madison, and 30 minutes southwest of Wisconsin Dells. See the Contact Us page for our address, directions, and contact information.
The Train Ride Route
Mid-Continent Railway Museum operates its trains on a former Chicago & North Western Railway branchline. The line extends southward from North Freedom, Wisconsin and passes through the unincorporated town of La Rue. The line terminates at a rock quarry at a location called Quartzite Lake. The train then returns to the museum depot along the same route.
The leisurely roundtrip journey takes approximately 55-minutes, including a brief layover at the end of the line while the train is reconfigured for the return trip. Ride times are extended for some onboard dining trains by reducing train speed, or in the case of the Elegant Dinner Trains, making the roundtrip journey twice.
Museum Facilities
There is ample free parking at the museum. Public restrooms, a picnic shelter, and Pine Tree Park are adjacent to the depot. There are no camping facilities at the museum.