The Old Depot Railroad Museum

The Old Depot Railroad Museum, located in Dassel, Minnesota is housed in the Burlington Northern’s former single-story depot at Cokato, Minnesota. The museum does not focus on any railroad or region in particular but rather the nation’s railroading history in general. Over the past twenty years, owner Howard Page has turned the little depot into a treasure-trove of railroading artifacts and historic pieces, from steam whistles to hand tools and about everything in between!

Below is a brief history and overview of the museum courtesy of the Old Depot Railroad Museum:

In 1985, when Burlington Northern decided to tear down the old depot in Cokato, MN., Howard Page (a Dassel businessman) purchased the building, cut it in half, moved it to Dassel, MN., and reassembled the depot in it's present location. "It was just too bad not to have it available to the people", said Page. "It's the history of what happened in the United States, really". Take a trip back in time, recapture the nostalgia.... of those railroad "hey days", at The Old Depot Railroad Museum.

For Howard Page, what started out as a mild childhood intrigue for trains, a love of restoring old buildings and the desire to preserve history, grew to become the elaborate collection of railroad treasures, known as, The Old Depot Railroad Museum.

Initially, the depot was used for community theater, craft sales and even a haunted house on Halloween! But then, Page began to acquire a stronger and stronger interest in railroad memorabilia and began to fill the depot to the rafters with railroad artifacts. "I just got the bug to collect things", admits Page.

Today, the extensive collection, which began with donations of items from area residents, has grown to reflect items from Page's extensive travels. There are artifacts from all over the United States and even some from the Soviet Union, Taiwan, Australia, Austria and China. A major aquisition of the famous: Railroad Memories Bar of Spooner, WI., increased the Old Depot collection by over 1,000 pieces. This included: lights, bells, whistles, signs, tools, and even an old two man hand car. The old-time atmosphere is incredible!

Hours and Season:

10 am – 4:30 pm

Memorial Day through October 1st

Charges:

Adult: $2.50

Children under 12: $1.00

The museum also offers group tours for those interested in learning more about the history of the depot and the collection it houses.

For more on the Burlington Northern Railroad you may want to consider Burlington Northern Diesel Locomotives: Three Decades of BN Power from Paul D. Schneider, which gives a very colorful and interesting history of the BN's locomotive fleet; even featuring predecessor carriers like the NP, GN, and Burlington. If you have any interest in the BN or are after information pertaining to its locomotive roster, you are sure to enjoy this book.

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