Minnesota 'Ice Cream' Tasting Train Rides
Published: June 29, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Minnesota Transportation Museum (MTM) is one of those rare organizations that doesn’t just display history—it puts you inside it. With its core campus at the historic Jackson Street Roundhouse in Saint Paul, plus additional sites and operating experiences, MTM interprets Minnesota’s transportation story through artifacts you can walk around, volunteer crews you can talk to, and (best of all) trains you can ride.
Among MTM’s most family-friendly excursions is a summertime classic: the Dresser Ice Cream Train (often listed as the Osceola/Dresser Ice Cream Train). It’s short, sweet, and delightfully old-school—an easy “first train ride” for kids and an instant nostalgia hit for adults who miss the days when travel felt like an occasion. MTM’s Osceola-based operation runs through the scenic St. Croix Valley, and the ice-cream-themed ride pairs that scenery with a stop at the Dresser Depot for a complimentary treat.
Minnesota Transportation Museum
MTM’s footprint is broader than many visitors expect. In Saint Paul, the organization is closely associated with the Jackson Street Roundhouse, a historic railroad facility recognized for its significance (and frequently highlighted as an anchor destination for rail history in the Twin Cities).
But MTM’s mission extends beyond static displays. The museum also operates seasonal passenger train rides on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, giving the public a chance to experience heritage railroading as a living craft—complete with restored cars, ticketing at a historic depot, and volunteers who interpret what you’re seeing as you roll through the valley.
That mix—museum collections + operational railroad—is exactly why the Dresser Ice Cream Train works so well. It’s not simply “a fun outing.” It’s a bite-sized heritage railroad experience designed to be approachable, repeatable, and memorable.
Dresser Ice Cream Train
The Dresser Ice Cream Train departs from Osceola, Wisconsin, at MTM’s Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway departure point. Travel Wisconsin notes that riders begin the experience at a restored 1916 Soo Line depot in Osceola, reinforcing the “step back in time” vibe before you even board.
From there, the ice cream ride is a round trip to Dresser, Wisconsin. MTM describes it as a 50-minute round-trip excursion aboard vintage equipment, with a free ice cream treat at the Dresser Depot.
Short duration is part of the magic. This is not an all-day commitment or a marathon ride—just enough time to hear the rhythm of the rails, take in the countryside, snap photos, and watch kids fall into the trance that only a moving train can produce.
The “Dresser” part: a depot stop that feels like time travel
One reason the Ice Cream Train is so popular is that it builds in a purposeful pause. Instead of riding out-and-back with no change of scene, you get a stop at Dresser Depot, an old-fashioned “destination” where passengers can stretch their legs and enjoy the treat.
Family travel coverage often highlights this stop as a major kid-pleaser: a short, easy ride paired with the novelty of stepping onto a depot platform and enjoying ice cream before heading back.
MTM’s own ride description leans into the experience as a blend of railroad storytelling and simple summer fun—volunteers share railroad and depot history along the way, adding context to what might otherwise be “just a ride.”
What you’ll experience onboard
While specific consists and motive power can vary, the Osceola operation is broadly described as using diesel-powered trains with vintage cars, emphasizing classic passenger-rail ambiance without the complexity and cost of running steam on a daily schedule.
On the Ice Cream Train, the tone is relaxed and family-forward:
- A manageable ride length (about 50 minutes round-trip), ideal for younger kids or multi-generational groups.
- Historic atmosphere—vintage cars, depot ticketing, and that unmistakable “railroad smell” of old equipment and warm summer air.
- Live interpretation from volunteers, who add texture by pointing out features along the line and explaining depot/railroad history.
- A built-in highlight at Dresser: a complimentary ice cream treat served during the stop.
In other words, you’re not just buying a dessert with a train attached—you’re buying a compact heritage-rail experience that ends with dessert.
A Standout Experience
Plenty of railroads do ice cream runs. What makes MTM’s Dresser Ice Cream Train especially effective is the balance:
- Just enough travel to feel like a real train trip, without being too long for little riders.
- A genuine railroad setting—historic depot departure, vintage equipment, and an operating heritage line.
- A real destination beat—the depot stop makes the experience feel like a mini journey, not a loop.
It’s also a ride that works across audiences. Families come for the treat and the novelty. Railfans come for the equipment and the chance to support a mission-driven operation. And casual travelers come for the valley scenery and the simple joy of doing something different on a summer afternoon. To learn more about the Dresser Ice Cream Train please click here to visit the MTM website.
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