The Lake Superior Railroad Museum

Today's adventures included a trip to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and a short ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad! The museum is housed in an old railroad depot that once served many passenger and freight lines that ran through Duluth in the past.

In addition to the main railroad museum there were displays about logging, woodworking, and Ojibwe art. I tried to take a panoramic photo of a semicircular display on logging. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out especially well.

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Downstairs, however, is the main attraction. There is a large hall filled with locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and railway maintenance equipment filling the old terminal.

First off, there's an interactive model railroad. I have to admit greater curiosity about the off-limits workshop in the middle though.

Unfortunately, the coolest locomotive is far too large to adequately photograph. There is a massive 2-8-8-4 Mallet (pronounced like "Malley") locomotive of the Yellowstone type, No. 227. This alone is reason to visit and pay a few dollars to see it. Every 20 minutes there is a mechanism that operates the pistons and wheels in full motion while a recording plays. Close examination shows the engine is suspended an inch above the rail where it appears to rest, allowing the sixteen drive wheels to rotate freely.

This is by no means the only thing to see though. Many other steam and early diesel/electric locomotives are on display, too! And the best part is that most of them are operational. This museum strives to make everything functional.

There were also some railroad snow plows on display. If you have ever been in a Minnesota winter with its bitter cold and drifting snows, you have an idea how essential these were. These were typically pushed by multiple locomotives to clear the tracks.

Lastly, there are many displays about the history of passenger and freight services the railroads provided, including a car displaying the ornate china used in the dining cars of the various rail lines, each following a pattern unique to each line.

And at the end of the passenger car history exhibit was a mail car!

In between were several other cars and machines of every type along with various displays of railroad livery and rail history.

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Of course, I can't end after just describing the museum exhibits, because there's also the option to ride along the Lake Superior shore in an old passenger car! The train I rode had three cars for passenger use, increasing in age as you went back along the train. The first two were probably 1950s vintage, and were comfortable, smooth rides with large windows. The last one was from 1918 and had awkward windows over uncomfortable bench seats, and it creaked and rocked severely. Naturally, it was the most fun, too!

The view is spectacular, and there is a recorded narrative of the history of Duluth and the railroads.

Apologies for the old windows through which I shot the photos not always being immaculately clean.