I left the Minnesota Transportation Museum and drove Interstate 35E to Interstate 35 north, to US Highway 8 which I took to Chisago City. I first stopped at the post office for directions to the Iron Horse Central but when they could not help me, they sent me to the city hall/police station where I received flyer on the railroad.
Duluth and North Eastern wooden caboose 7:1, ex. Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range 169, nee Duluth and Iron Range 69 on display at the park across from city hall. After retirement in 1974, it was trucked to Chisago City and repainted as Northern Pacific 69 for local display by the Chisago City Booster Club.
I then followed the directions on the flyer which took me to my destination and I was met by Erik Thompson, owner and operator, for my visit to the Iron Horse Central.
Iron Horse Central Railroad MuseumThis is a small museum located in Chisago City, Minnesota and is dedicated to preserving the history of railways in Minnesota and the United States. It is a popular destination for train enthusiasts, history buffs and families. The museum is housed in a historic depot building that was built in 1884 and has been restored to its original condition. It features a collection of vintage steam locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars, as well as other historic artifacts related to the history of rail transportation. The museum also offers guided tours of the depot building and the museum's collection.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum hosts special events throughout the year including train rides and holiday-themed events. Visitors can also take part in educational programs and workshops related to rail history and technology. Overall, Iron Horse Central Railroad Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of rail transportation in the area. It is a great place to learn, explore and appreciate the importance of railways in shaping the development of the United States.
The museum sarted in 1963 with the purchase of Traprock locomotive 4 and have been in this location since 1966. Richard and Robert Thompson and Doug Alexander started back in the 1950's collecting railroad memorabilia, taking photos and going on MRA fan trips. They purchased engine 4 in 1963 and had it stored until 1966 when it was moved to the present location. Track construction was started that year and in 1984 the circle was completed and a final spike ceremony was held celebrating the event.
A documentary called "Ironhorse" was filmed from 1983 to 1984 and has been featured on television multiple times. We have over a mile of track including a 3/4 mile loop which we traverse two times, giving a 1.5 mile scenic train ride. We are still out in the country so we have plenty of scenic areas for nice photos. Besides a full size train ride, we also have a 1895 Saint Paul And Duluth Railroad depot, a miniature train ride, a petting zoo and 50 acres of nature. We have over 100,000 artifacts so displays are changed out frequently.
Northern Pacific 0-6-0 927 1900, nee St. Paul and Duluth Railroad 71 built by Baldwin in 1896. At some point, it was re-numbered 10 then after retirement, donated to Crow Wing County and moved to the museum in 2006.
Duluth Missabe & Northern tool car X-3000, nee Duluth Missabe and Northern box car 3000 built by Duluth Manufacturing in 1892.
The bathrooms are from an old station.
Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific 40 foot box car 57767, builder and year unknown.
Coal from Solider Summit in Utah.
The third car of the Bumblebee Train undergoing repairs.
Duluth and Northeastern caboose 6, nee Elgin, Joliet and Eastern 6 built by the railroad in 1919.
Milwaukee Road caboose 02212 built by Thrall in 1956.
St. Paul and Duluth Groningen station,one of three remaining stations from the railroad. Gronigen was known as Miller, but was wiped out in the Hinkley firestorm of 1894. The name was changed to Gronigen when it was resurrected and the new station subsequently built in 1896.
The famous Bumblebee motor car M-6, home built by Erik Thompson, on which I would have a ride later today.
Next we went into the station.
Displays in this former St. Paul and Duluth station from Gronigen.
What every Northern Plains station must have, a good stove to provide warmth during the long winter months.
A speeder "Sault Ste. Marie" of unknown origin.
Ironhorse Central 50 ton SH4300 switcher 2 "Mathias W. Baldwin" ex. Bucyrus-Erie yard switcher 11, built by Whitcomb in 1956. With the purchase of Whitcomb in 1931, Baldwin channelled its small engines through Whitcomb, but later built them with Baldwin Lima Hamilton designs. This particular switcher was the last engine made by Baldwin.
Baldwin builder's plate 76151.
Ironhorse Central Railroad open air car, nee SOO Line flat car 54109 built by Haskell and Barker in 1928, which they built from a 1921 refrigerator car.
Ironhorse Central Railroad 0-4-0T 4, ex. Richard Thoompson and Douglas Alexander 1963, exx. Bryan Dresser Trap Rock Incorporated 4, exxx. Dresser Trap Rock 4 1931, exxxx. Birmingham Rail and Locomotive (dealer) 1931, exxxx. Tallassee Power Company Calderwood, Tennessee, nee L.E. Myers Company 4 built by H.K. Porter in 1923.
This steam engine was used in the construction of Dix Dam on Dix River located between Mercer and Garrard County, Kentucky. It was constructed to generate hydroelectricity and prevent flooding of the Kentucky River, but is better known for creating Herrington Lake. Construction began in the autumn 1923, impoundment of water began on March 17, 1925 and the project was completed and power generation began in October 1927.
The steam engine's builder's plate, 6768.
The tender.
Northern Pacific wooden caboose 1666 built by the railroad in the Como Shops in 1907.
Ironhorse Central Railroad coach 221, nee Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic built by Jackson and Sharp in 1888.
Ironhorse Central Railroad superintendent's car 1989, nee Northern Pacific coach 1989 built by Wason Car Company in 1870. It was converted into a second class soach before becoming a business car in 1913.
Ironhorse Central Railroad refrigerator car 8011, ex. Duluth Northeastern, exx. Duluth and Iron Range, nee Santa Fe 8011 built by Pullman in 1894.
Ironhorse Central wooden caboose 119:1, nee SOO Line 119 built by Missouri Car and Foundry in 1887.
Ironhorse Central dynamometer car B10, ex. Burlington Northern B-10, nee Northern Pacific baggage car 1516 built by Pullman in 1915.
The interior of the car. The Chef, who was with John F. Kennedy on PT 109, worked on this car during his employment with the railroad after World War II.
Duluth South Shore & Atlantic wooden caboose 572 built by the railroad in 1913.
Ironhorse Central Railroad 15 ton switcher DDT 3 built by Plymouth.
Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific kitchen/bunk car 69928 built by the railroad in 1952 and rebuilt from a 1916 boxcar.
Ironhorse Central Railroad 0-4-0T 1, ex. Richard Thompson 1982, exx. donation to Pioneer Threshing Association Dresser, Wisconsin, exxx. Bryan Dresser Trap Rock 1, exxxx. Dresser Trap Rock 1, nee Dresser Trap Rock 2 built by H.K. Porter in 1914.
Soo Line wooden caboose 206 built by American Car and Foundry in 1906.
Wisconsin Central 2-8-0 425, nee Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie 2-8-0 2425 built by American Locomotive Company in 1909. The locomotive was retired in January 1955 and donated to the city of Enderlin on July 21. It sat on display in Baxter Park until the mid-1990's when the city became concerned about its deteriorating condition, which included exposed asbestos boiler insulation. The city eventually built a large shed around the engine, which was completely sealed up with no access door, while they contemplated how to dispose of it. The Iron Horse Central Railroad acquired it in 2009.
Burlington Northern coach 529, ex. Northern Pacific 529, nee Missouri-Kansas-Texas 1207 "Denton" built by Pullman-Standard in 1955.
Milwaukee Road wooden caboose 0870 built by the railroad in 1910 and is the last wooden caboose from the railroad in existance.
Flat car frame.
Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific bunk car 70010 built by the railroad in 1946 from a 1916 boxcar.
Santa Fe caboose 999739 built by International Car in 1978.
Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific bunk car 70037 built by the railroad in the 1940's from a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy box car.
Soo Line flat car 54203 built by the railroad's Shoreham shops in 1937 from a 1921 refrigerator car.
Soo Line wooden box car 135292 built by Pullman in 1926.
We had completed our tour of the grounds and the museum's equipment. It was now time for my ride aboard the Bumblebee.
I boarded the trailer and this was the forward view before we started. We would make two loops around the grounds to equal 1.5 miles.
Leaving the station platform.
Passing the equipment.
Leaving the station area behind.
Taking the first curve.
Passing the switch to the home track.
Crossing over the cattle guard.
Still on the first curve.
Looking back.
The west straight track.
We passed a hobo camp.
Leaving the hobo camp behind.
The Bumblebee took the next curve to reach the Highline.
Views from the Highline.
Warning of the grade ahead.
The Bumblebee took me around the third curve.
We reached Miller Summit.
Rounding the final curve.
We passed through the station area and I asked Eric if we could stop for some static picture on the next loop and he said Yes!
The home-built motorcar M-6 "Bumblebee" near the Colorado River crossing.
Eric running the Bumblebee.
At the Hobo Camp.
At Newton Pass.
Another view near Newton Pass.
The Bumblebee on the Highline. We returned to the station and I thanked Eric for allowing me to visit his operation today. He gave me some flyers for the Orange County Railway Historical Society members then I bid him goodbye and drove back to the Twin Cities, stopping at KFC on University Avenue for dinner to go, and checked into the Midway Days Inn for the night.
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