Ride in the cab with the engineer on a 55-minute diesel locomotive trip
55 minutes
55-min train ride, Museum admission
Climb into the cab of MCRY #1256 and ride on the fireman’s side as the engineer takes the train from North Freedom to Quartzite Lake and back. Your ticket also includes access to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum displays.
Capacity is 1 adult, or 1 adult with 1 child (bench seat about 3 feet wide). Children 15 and under must ride with an adult; children 2 and under are not permitted. The cab requires climbing near-vertical steps and is not handicap accessible; the locomotive is loud and not air-conditioned.
Tickets may be canceled up to 24 hours before the published departure time for a full refund. Within 24 hours of departure, no cash refunds are offered.
Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. Check in at the depot ticket office to pick up your printed ticket; you can’t board with a reservation confirmation email.
Bring water only. Food isn’t available except on select special event dates, and you can’t bring food or drinks aboard coach trains (except water and infant formula). In the locomotive cab, food isn’t permitted (water only).
No. Getting into the cab requires climbing near-vertical steps, and the locomotive isn’t handicap accessible. If you have trouble climbing or can’t tightly grasp handrails, don’t book a locomotive ticket.
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