Minot’s railroad museum to celebrate 40th anniversary
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN A model town is on display at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN Embossing equipment is tested at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN A taxidermy goat and model of a worker are shown at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN A model town is on display at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN Embossing equipment is tested at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
EMMAKAY POLING/ MDN A taxidermy goat and model of a worker are shown at the Railroad Museum of Minot.
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The Railroad Museum of Minot will celebrate its 40th anniversary celebration on Sept. 26-27 with free admission.
There will be snacks, drinks and a raffle with contributions from Minot Symphony Orchestra.
With around 90% of exhibits donated, the railroad museum has just about everything related to trains. The Souris Valley Model Train Club has a display on the lower level. The museum also has a outdoor cabooses and a railbike from the late 1800s, used by track maintenance to move up and down the tracks. The museum is open Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. and offers private tours as long as visitors call ahead. Both yearly memberships and single-day admission are available.
A close partner of the railroad museum, the Souris Valley Model Train Club is always welcoming members 18 years or older. It’s display is usually open the same hours as the museum. The museum also always looking for volunteers.
According to museum information, it plans to upgrade to a more digital experience, including adding more interactive exhibits through iPads and televisions. The museum also plans to digitize its book collection.
Rich Wengel, vice chairman of the railroad museum, said the museum began during the Minot/Ward County centennial between 1986 and 1987, when the Railroad Committee decided to preserve the information and artifacts in their possession in a permanent location. The first location was at Town and Country Center.
Since opening its doors, the museum has provided visitors with information and entertainment pertaining to trains.