north dakota state railroad museum

Visited this past Sunday for Railroad Day. Had a great time exploring the grounds and the various train cars. They were offering a "Hobo Lunch" for a fundraiser and there were rides for the kids. The volunteers are just sooo excited and you can just tell how passionate they are about the museum and the railroad in general. The review from Ann K a few years ago has some great info and is still very relevant.

Very interesting. helps if you have done some homework on trains. Some real old smokers are there. Great guide.

The museum has a former depot and fair amount of rolling stock: flat cars, box cars, tankers, cabooses, a couple of yard engines, etc.. It has railroad hand tools, uniforms, maps, signs, photos, timetables and cases of small railroad items, such as hand telegraph kits and model hopper cars. It has a model railroad layout, and a tiny outdoor railroad which offers rides to children two or three times a year. (Check in advance for dates, 701-663-9322.) Displays are well signed, and the guide we met was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Railroad fans will love it. Those who aren't railroad nuts would still find it an interesting place to spend an hour or two. It is open 1-5 PM Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is no admission fee, but the museum would appreciate a donation of $2 a head or $5 per family. Well worth it, IMHO.There isn't much of a gift shop, but they do sell railroad-theme tee shirts and coffee mugs.