Museum Closed: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
2024-12-31 - 2025-01-01 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Happy New Year! We look forward to a train-filled 2025!

Trains & Toddlers
2025-01-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-02-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-05-12 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for train stories, crafts and FUN!
Story time begins at 10:15am in the Zelda Theater followed by a craft. Free for members of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and kids 2 and under. Half price admission, adults $7 and kids $3.

Hot Stove Night - Wisconsin Fish Car History: Badger 1 and Badger 2
2025-03-20 06:00 - 20:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Thursday March 20th – Wisconsin Fish Car History: Badger 1 and Badger 2

Aaron Miller is the Operations Manager of the Les Voight Fish Hatchery in Bayfield and will discuss how railroads and the Wisconsin Fish Commission stocked lakes, rivers and streams by train using specially built and staffed train cars

6pm bar and complimentary snacks, 6:30pm presentation starts.

CANCELED -The Twin Ports' Rail to Sail Connection by Tony Dierckins
2025-04-02 18:30 - 20:00
Join Tony Dierckins at The Lake Superior Railroad Museum as he kicks off the Festival of History event in Duluth. The doors will open at 6:30 and Tony will start his talk at 7:00 pm. Guests should enter the back door of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum/North Shore Scenic Railroad lobby. Parking is free after 5pm in the lower level of the 4th Avenue parking lot. Event is FREE.

Minnesota Model Railroaders Event: Free-Mo
2025-04-05 10:00 | The Duluth Depot, 506 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN, 55802, United States
Join us at the St. Louis County Depot to see the largest model railroad constructed in the Twin Ports, just one weekend only. The model will be set up in the Great Hall of the Depot and it is free to see the display. The Minnesota Free-mo Modelers will be setting up their modular HO scale layout for one weekend only, don’t miss out. The model layout will be available to view 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am – 12 pm on Sunday!
This event in the Great Hall is free! Lake Superior Railroad Museum will also be open with regular admission $14/adult, $7/child (3-13), Members are free!

Hot Stove Night - Alberta Prairie Railroad - Stettler, Alberta
2025-04-17 06:00 - 20:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Thursday April 17th – Alberta Prairie Railroad – Stettler, Alberta
Hosted by Canadian Northern Plains Railroad’s Shawn Smith. Shawn is a longtime volunteer on this most interesting tourist railroad. Their engines, coaches and most importantly their excursions offer a completely different experience than we are used to seeing here on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
6pm bar and complimentary snacks, 6:30pm presentation starts.

Hot Stove Night - Railroad Trivia Night with Cheryl Skafte
2025-05-22 18:00 - 20:00
Thursday May 22nd – Railroad Trivia Night with.
Teams of two to four will test their railroad knowledge of today and of railroad history. Categories include; “Trains in Movies” “Trains in Music” “Local Railroad History” “TTQs” (Trick Train Questions) and “What is THIS on a train?” PRIZES to the winners!
6pm bar and complimentary snacks, 6:30pm trivia starts.

Trains and Toddlers
2025-10-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Trains and Toddlers is back for another season starting Monday, October 13th.

Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
Can’t make it on October 13th? Not to worry, there will be many opportunities to attend story time.
Trains and Toddlers will be held every second Monday from October through May 2026.
See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Halloween Carnival
2025-10-26 15:00 - 18:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween Carnival at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. There will be family friendly carnival games, creepy crafts, prizes, and more! A costume contest will be held at 5pm with prizes awarded in three categories: single, double, and group costumes. Half price admission $7/adults and $4/kids (3-13). This event is free for members and children 2 and under.

Trains and Toddlers on November 10th
2025-11-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
Can’t make it on November 10th? Not to worry, there will be many opportunities to attend story time.
Trains and Toddlers will be held every second Monday from October through May 2026.
See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Community Decorating Party on November 18th
2025-11-18 16:00 - 20:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Tis the holiday season! Join us on November 18th from 4-8pm as we decorate the Lake Superior Railroad Museum with holiday cheer. All ages welcome! Pizza will be provided. Please RSVP here so we can get a general idea of how many pizzas to order for our volunteers.

Trains and Toddlers
2025-12-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Holiday Party
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
You’re invited to celebrate the holiday season at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum during our extended hours.
Enjoy half price admission, holiday lights, kid friendly crafts, cookies, and merriment!

Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley
2026-01-07 - 2026-02-06 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Sun Valley, America’s first winter destination resort, appeared near the end of the Great Depression. As the number of vacationers increased, railroads hoped to boost declining ticket sales by encouraging travel to exotic locations accessible only by rail. Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley highlights the impact of the first winter destination resort on American culture and the railroad.
This exhibit was produced by the Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley will be on display from January 7- February 6, 2026 at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in collaboration with the St. Louis County Historical Society.

Trains and Toddlers
2026-01-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
We are a participating member of a program called Museums for All that enables us to offer free admission to Trains and Toddlers to SNAP recipients.

See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Railroads & ...Skiing
2026-02-05 17:00 - 19:00
FREE EVENT
Join us for our first Hot Stove Night of 2026 on Thursday February 5, 2026.
It will be the last night of the Union Pacific Railroad traveling display Discovered! Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley

5:00pm – Social Time with snacks, coffee and soft drinks
6:00pm – Ken Buehler on the creation of Sun Valley and the invention of the chairlift
6:30pm – Tony Dierckins presents Jumping in Norseman’s Shoes: Historic Ski Jumping in Duluth, MN

Please enter through Northshore Scenic ticket office doors on track level at the back of the St. Louis County Depot.

Trains and Toddlers
2026-02-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
We will be painting with toy trains so please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting washable paint on.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
We are a participating member of a program called Museums for All that enables us to offer free admission to Trains and Toddlers to SNAP recipients.

See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Murder Mystery in the Museum
2026-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Looking for a unique event to attend with your Valentine? How about an interactive 1920’s murder mystery in a museum on Friday the 13th? A murder most foul has been discovered and with train cars to explore, many suspicious passengers, and a missing weapon you must channel your inner detective to crack the case. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and conversations as you try and unravel the mystery hidden amidst railroad-themed elegance. Join the fun at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum on Friday, February 13th, 2026 from 7-9pm. Prizes will go to the top 3 sleuths!
1920’s inspired costumes are welcome and encouraged. On the night of the event participants will receive a top secret packet with character information, starting clues, and the rules of the game. This game is brought to you by Ivy Bee Productions in partnership with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. This event is for ages 16+. It is not a train ride, but a train themed event inside the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
THIS EVENT IS FULL / SOLD OUT AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Tickets are on sale now through February 1st, 2026.
Non-member tickets: $60/person
LSRM member tickets: $55/person
Each ticket includes one free drink ticket that can be redeemed at the cash bar.
Contact Katie Witzig with questions katie.witzig@lsrm.org.

Trains and Toddlers
2026-03-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
Wear your favorite pajamas to our Pajama Party!
We will be reading Good Night Train by June Sobel and Moon Choo Choo by Mona Voelkel.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
We are a participating member of a program called Museums for All that enables us to offer free admission to Trains and Toddlers to SNAP recipients.

See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Hot Stove Night - Clinton Jones, Jr. (1944-2024)Exhibit Opening
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Our second Hot Stove night will center around the exhibit we have on loan from The Lake States Railway Historical Association, Clinton Jones, Jr. (1944-2024): An Upper Midwest Icon of Short Line Railroading. It is a display of railroad photos taken and collected by Clint Jones featuring the railroads operating in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the 1960s and 70s. Clint worked for several railroads in the UP and always carried a camera with him.
5:30pm – Social Time with appetizers, coffee, and a full bar
6:00pm – Paul Swanson – Director of the Lake States Railway Historical Association

The Twin Ports Rail to Sail Connection
2026-04-08 18:00 - 19:00
Zenith City Press and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum present “The Twin Ports Rail-to-Sail Connection,” an illustrated history presentation featuring Duluth historian Tony Dierckins. Adapted from Dierckins’s book, “Twin Ports Trains: The Historic Railroads of Duluth and Superior,” this talk traces the rise and decline of the “Head of the Lakes” as a vital commercial shipping center and illustrates the socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impact that railroads, Great Lakes freighters, and the industries they served had on the region.
5:30pm – Social Time with appetizers and a cash bar
6:00pm – Tony Dierckins

Trains and Toddlers
2026-04-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Story time is cancelled due to construction noise.

The Museum will remain open and offer half price admission to families. If you would still like to visit us, please follow the pink signs and enter through the side entrance under the canopy.

An owl puppet craft inspired by the book, “Owl and Officer Smitty: The Case of the Missing Train” by Carrie Heflin, will be available at the ticket office to take home with you.

Hope to see you next month on May 11th!

National Train Day
2026-05-09 10:00 - 15:00
Saturday May 9th 10am to 3pm

Celebrate the 157th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum will be hosting special events to celebrate this annual holiday. Open from 10am-5pm, most events will wrap up by 3pm, so come early!
Tentative Activities included (subject to change):

Maintenance Shop open for tours
Speedercar rides
Model Railroad demos
Engine cab tours
Kids crafts
Special exhibits open for tours
Tables from various area attractions and other railroad organizations
Special concession stand snacks

Admission FREE! This day only for the special event
In collaboration with the St. Louis County Depot’s STEAM Fest in the Great Hall, the museum will be hosting additional organizations and activities that celebrate STEAM and National Train Day.

Interested in setting up a table, activity, or becoming a vendor? email reece@duluthtrains.com for more information

Trains and Toddlers
2026-05-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Join us for story time and a toddler friendly craft from 10:00am -11:30am.
We will be reading Pete the Cat’s Train Trip by Kimberly and James Dean and Choo Choo School by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
1/2 price admission $7/adults, $4/kids (3-13)
Due to construction, please follow the pink signs and enter through the side entrance under the canopy.
This event is free for members and children 2 and under.
We are a participating member of a program called Museums for All that enables us to offer free admission to Trains and Toddlers to SNAP recipients.

See you soon at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!

Summer BBQ Train
2026-05-15 17:30 - 20:30
An evening 2.5 hour excursion in the dining car with Famous Dave’s BBQ dinner included. Enjoy the first class Dome Car on the way back! Weekends in May and July! Tickets available at www.DuluthTrains.com. Reservations required.

Minnesota Free-mo Modelers & Train Expo/Model Railroad Flea Market
2026-05-16 - 2026-05-17 | The Duluth Depot, 506 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN, 55802, United States
The largest HO Scale model railroad comes to town and sets up in The Depot’s Great Hall. In the railroad museum, additional expo booths, flea market of model railroad merchandise and railroad memorabilia. Free to view, with admission required for the Railroad Museum downstairs.
The model railroad in the Great Hall will run Saturday 5/16 from 10-5pm, and Sunday from 10am until about 3pm (some sections might end early).
We call it the “largest” because this is a modular club that travels all around the area. Each person builds their own “module” – which are sections of the railroad, usually about 4 feet in length, and then they’re all assembled like a big puzzle. Then the trains run on a one-of-a-kind layout until they re-arrange it at another event in the future.
Our Transportation Club will be hosting a flea market inside the Lake Superior Railroad Museum (level 1) on Saturday, May 16th with model railroad equipment for sale.
Trains on the North Shore Scenic Railroad will also be operating this weekend too! Learn more here.
