Railroad History

Passenger and Commuter Rail

Railroading Today

Rolling Stock

Infrastructure and Terms

Museums and Tourism

Miscellaneous

About The Site

[?] Subscribe To American-Rails.com

Minnesota Train Rides and Excursion Trains

Despite the state's size and history of being home to classic railroads like the Milwaukee Road, Chicago & North Western, and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy there are just a handful of Minnesota train rides available to the public. Despite the fact that the state offers just a few tourist railroads, two do standout the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad and North Shore Scenic Railroad. The latter is of particular note as they do a great job of not only preserving the heritage of the railroad on whose tracks they operate but also in the many different excursions they offer. In any event, you can also catch trolley rides in Excelsior at the Minnesota Streetcar Museum. Aside from train rides, Minnesota is home to several railroad museums. If you may be interested in learning about these organizations please click here.

If you were lucky enough to remember the days when there dozens of classic railroads operating, Minnesota was home to many of the Midwestern "granger" lines like those mentioned above. One of particular note, the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway was a legendary ore hauler and a well known corporation in the state, even by those with little or no interest in trains. Today, the aforementioned North Shore Scenic Railroad keeps alive the DM&IR's history and offers visitors everything from dinner trains to excursions pulled by historic steam locomotives (they work in conjunction with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum). As mentioned above you can catch trolley rides in Minnesota. If you enjoy trolleys also consider visiting the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line near the Twin Cities. They operate somewhat as both a museum and light-rail-transit system giving riders a journey aboard historic trolley cars around the popular Chain of Lakes area. In any event, to learn more about Minnesota train rides please read on below.

Minnesota Train Rides and Excursion Trains

Como-Harriet Streetcar Line

The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line operates along the Twin Cities' popular Chain of Lakes recreational area that draws thousands of visitors annually, particularly during the summer months. For more information about riding the trolley please click here.

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

Based in Excelsior, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum operates trolley excursions on about a half-mile stretch of the former Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway right-of-way. For more information about riding the trolley please click here.

Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad based in Duluth operates on trackage that was originally built by the railroad known as the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad, later owned by Northern Pacific. Today, this 1 1/2-hour ride also is available to large groups and for charter. For more information about riding the railroad please click here.

North Shore Scenic Railroad

The North Shore Scenic Railroad is part of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and is the state's most popular tourist train. The 26-mile route was originally part of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range and today the railroad operates its trains using both steam and diesel locomotives, along with featuring special trains and events throughout the season. For more information about riding the railroad please click here.

Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway

Based out of Osceola, Wisconsin, right along the border with Minnesota this tourist railroad is operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum with a typical operating season running between May and October. Their longest excursion is a 20-mile round trip and passengers are onboard for nearly two hours. They offer a wide range of special holiday excursions and brunch/dinner trains. For more information about the O&StCV please click here to visit their website.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Tourist Railroads Section

If you may be interested in reading about Minnesota's railroad history please click here. Also, for more information about Minnesota train rides you might want to consider the book Tourist Trains Guidebook, which is put together by the editors of Kalmbach Publishing's Trains magazine. The guide below is the latest, released in just April, 2011 that now includes more than 470 museums and tourist trains (it also lists all of Alabama's rail museums). In any event, if you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

Share Your Thoughts

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Please note that while I strive to present the information as accurately as possible I am aware that there may be errors. If you have potential corrections the help is greatly appreciated.