Ride a 7-mile fall color train and explore the railway museum
55-minutes
55-min train ride, museum entry
Ride a 55-minute round-trip train through rural Sauk County in restored early-1900s coach cars pulled by a diesel locomotive. Before or after your ride, explore museum display buildings and browse historic rail equipment on site.
No food or drinks are permitted aboard the train except water or baby formula. Train cars are not climate-controlled, and windows can be individually opened for ventilation.
You may cancel up to 14 days before the event for a refund minus a 25% processing and handling fee. Booking convenience fees are non-refundable. Within 14 days, if your reservation is resold, you get a refund minus the 25% fee; otherwise no refund.
Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure. Pick up your reserved tickets at the depot ticket window and check in at the depot ticket office before you board. You can’t board using a reservation confirmation email.
No. Seating is unassigned, so you choose your own seat when you board. Your reservation ensures seats will be available for you.
No. You can only bring water or baby formula aboard the train.
This museum pulls in serious praise from train enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, with volunteers consistently earning recognition for their knowledge and enthusiasm. The restored rolling stock collection is impressive, housed in large sheds with everything from passenger cars to unique pieces like the historic fish car. Most guests appreciate the hour-long train rides through the countryside, though a few found the pace slower than expected and the route less scenic than anticipated. The experience can feel a bit confusing for first-timers trying to navigate what's included and where they can explore independently. Some visitors had trouble figuring out the self-guided museum portions or found viewing the trains from ground level limiting since you can't enter many cars. However, those who engaged with the volunteer-led tours and cab rides (book ahead, only one rider per excursion) came away genuinely impressed. The gift shop stands out for offering actual railroadiana collectibles rather than typical tourist merchandise. If you're into railroad history, the volunteers' dedication and the quality of restoration work make this worth the visit.
Visited here in early July, 2025. It was a last minute decision, and one that I will always fondly remember. It is definitely a “working” museum, with good documentation and opportunities to actually ride on a vintage train. The people managing the museum were knowledgeable and helpful.
Hana Bartlett
April 2, 2026
Visited here in early July, 2025. It was a last minute decision, and one that I will always fondly remember. It is definitely a “working” museum, with good documentation and opportunities to actually ride on a vintage train. The people managing the museum were knowledgeable and helpful.
Hana Bartlett
April 2, 2026