Help Keep #1385’s Legacy On Track!
Thanks to your continued support, we are now up to $106,522 out of our $300,000 goal as of 6/13/26. That milestone is no small feat and is truly a testament to the passion of this community! We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated, shared their personal stories connected to the engine, or expressed excitement about seeing this historic locomotive operate again later this year.
Even though the finish line is in sight, we must reach our full $300,000 goal in order to bring Chicago and North Western #1385 back into service in 2026. If we’re not able to raise these funds in a timely fashion, progress on the locomotive will unfortunately slow down while awaiting sufficient funding necessary to buy the parts, materials, and machining for the remaining work, which would mean we won’t be able to operate this year.
This restoration has already delivered an unforgettable moment. As some of you know, on December 5th, 2025, #1385’s whistle echoed across North Freedom, Wisconsin for the first time in nearly 30 years. Watching her steam beneath the water tower once again was nothing short of magical. A true glimpse of history re-awakening.
We are closer than ever to completing this restoration and sharing #1385 with everyone who loves her. This project has always been about honoring memories, the love of the machinery, and ensuring that future generations can experience the power, sound, and spirit of this remarkable, 1907 built locomotive.
We humbly ask you to be part of the final push. Your donation will help complete the remaining work needed to return #1385 to operation in 2026.
• Donate online using the button below
• Donate by phone through our museum’s office: 608-522-4261
• Mail your donation: Mid-Continent Railway Museum, P.O. Box 358, North Freedom, WI 53951 (Write “#1385 Fund” in the memo line.)
Welcome to Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Mid-Continent is an outdoor living history museum and operating railroad recreating, preserving, and interpreting the small town/shortline way of life from the “Golden Age of Railroading.”
Mid-Continent Railway Museum 2026 Event Schedule
Mid-Continent’s museum exhibits and train rides will open again in May of 2026! Please check out our schedule below. Tickets will be on sale at the end of February. Our museum office will still be open throughout the winter months for any questions. You can contact the office by phone at 608-522-4261 or by email at [email protected].
| Date | Event |
| May 2-3 | Spring Fling Volunteer Weekend |
| May 16 | Start of Operating Season |
| May 25 | Open for Memorial Day |
| June 16 | Change to Tuesday-Sunday Train Schedule |
| August 29 | Root Beer Float Flyer |
| September 7 | Open for Labor Day |
| September 12 | Change to Weekend Only Train Schedule |
| September 26-27 | Vintage Rail Car Tours |
| October 10-11 | Autumn Color Weekend 1 |
| October 17 | Harvest Flyer |
| October 17-18 | Autumn Color Weekend 2 |
| October 24 | Halloween Flyer |
| October 24-25 | Pumpkin Special |
| November 28-29 | Santa Express |
| December 5 | Holiday Flyer |
| December 5-6 | Santa Express |
Museum News and Info
Gift Cards Available
Giving the gift of Mid‑Continent just got easier. Gift cards can be purchased online in any dollar amount and are valid toward any train or tour Mid-Continent operates. Find out more…
Get Involved
Mid-Continent Railway Museum would not be possible without our volunteers and members. You too can participate in keeping America’s railroad history alive by volunteering or becoming a museum member.
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