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11/7/2025
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Viewing Album:  Mid-Continent Railway Museum: 7 Steam Engines (That I Saw), Train Ride, & Other Stuff
 
By:Matthew Zisi
Dates:10/11/2025 - 10/11/2025
Album Info:10/11/25--Today I went to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI (46 miles NW of Madison, 20 miles S of Wisconsin Dells). I'd heard about the museum before but hadn't been; my visit was long overdue. This wonderful museum boasts a scenic train ride on an old C&NW spur line that goes 3.7 miles and passes by rivers. They had 5 steam engines on display, I saw a 6th parked next to the line on the ride, and I also got a glimpse of C&NW 1385, which they are hoping to run again next year! They also have snowplows, old diesels, and neat passenger and freight cars. If you live anywhere near Wisconsin, make the trip - you won't be disappointed!
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SOO 2645
Title:  SOO 2645
Description:  Built in 1900, served the Wisconsin Central (and later the Soo) until 1955.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:24:16 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 2645(4-6-0)
Views:  65   Comments: 0
CNW Depot
Title:  CNW Depot
Description:  This station was built in 1894, but not for North Freedom. It originally served Abelmans, which is today known as Rock Springs. Moved to the museum in 1965.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:40:35 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 0
SOO 2645
Title:  SOO 2645
Description:  If you have lived in Waukesha for years, you may remember when it was outside the former C&NW Depot in town. A track realignment forced it to be moved in 1989, so the city donated it to the museum.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:25:42 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 2645(4-6-0)
Views:  49   Comments: 0
SOO 2645
Title:  SOO 2645
Description:  Later in its career, the engine switched at the yards in Neenah.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:26:25 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 2645(4-6-0)
Views:  59   Comments: 0
SOO 2645
Title:  SOO 2645
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:26:44 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 2645(4-6-0)
Views:  60   Comments: 0
SOO 2645
Title:  SOO 2645
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:27:02 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 2645(4-6-0)
Views:  59   Comments: 0
Kewaunee, Green Bay, & Western 49
Title:  Kewaunee, Green Bay, & Western 49
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:29:20 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  KGBW 49(2-8-0)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
Kewaunee, Green Bay, & Western 49
Title:  Kewaunee, Green Bay, & Western 49
Description:  Built in 1929. One of my favorites, because I've actually been to Kewaunee! This engine never ran at the museum; it was in a park in Wisconsin Rapids before being donated to the museum in 1981.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:28:54 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Station
Locomotives:  KGBW 49(2-8-0)
Views:  59   Comments: 0
Goodman Lumber 9
Title:  Goodman Lumber 9
Description:  Shay locomotive, built in 1909. Worked a private logging railroad owned by Goodman Lumber until the line was abandoned in 1939, then served the Goodman mill. This is the only surviving Shay locomotive that primarily operated in Wisconsin.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:18:57 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  GL 9(Shay)
Views:  66   Comments: 0
Goodman Lumber 9
Title:  Goodman Lumber 9
Description:  The Illinois Railway Museum has one of these that runs! Neat seeing the pistons move up and down.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:19:50 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GL 9(Shay)
Views:  56   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description:  I should give a shout-out to the engine that pulled our train! Here is MCRY 1256, getting switched onto the front of the passenger train.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:30:15 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  53   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description:  Built by Whitcomb in 1954. Used at the Detroit Tank Plant. It came to Wisconsin (Camp Badger) in 1986 after getting a new Caterpillar engine, but it was never used after going there. The museum purchased it in 2006 and actually uses it.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:32:58 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  51   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description:  They do not turn the engine around, but they do move it to the opposite end of the train at either end of the line.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:31:22 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  56   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description:  Given that it received a new engine in 1986 and was used sparingly thereafter, this engine probably has a lot more miles in it!
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:33:39 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  47   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:33:58 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  46   Comments: 0
SOO 203
Title:  SOO 203
Description:  Built between 1906 and 1913. Was paired with a rotary plow in Gladstone Michigan until retirement in 1966.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:35:15 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  68   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description:  The Copper Range Railroad was an 108-mile railroad in the western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula that operated from 1899 to 1972.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:51:01 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  66   Comments: 0
MCRY 1001
Title:  MCRY 1001
Description:  This engine was built by EMD in 1949. Served for paper companies, ultimately ending up with Domtar. Purchased in 2018, still needs batteries and brake modifications before it can pull trains. The museum is hoping it will be running next year.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 11:15:22 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MCRY 1001(NW2)
Views:  57   Comments: 0
D&R 9
Title:  D&R 9
Description:  This locomotive, which served on the Dardanelle and Russellville, was built in 1884!
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:40:34 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  DR 9(2-6-0)
Views:  65   Comments: 0
D&R 9
Title:  D&R 9
Description:  This gave most of the museum rides in the 1960s and 1970s. Interestingly, its main issue was its tender, which leaked. It looks like they have fixed the tender, so hopefully, we will see this one running again one of these days!
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:41:48 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  DR 9(2-6-0)
Views:  63   Comments: 0
D&R 9
Title:  D&R 9
Description:  After an accident in the 1950s, the engine was rebuilt by Missouri Pacific.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:43:30 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  DR 9(2-6-0)
Views:  66   Comments: 0
MILW 988
Title:  MILW 988
Description:  Rare 1946 Alco RSC-2. This locomotive ran well and was still switching as late as 1976. After being purchased by the Kettle Morain Scenic Railway, it then went to Trans Northern. The engine was then stored by the Escanaba and Lake Superior until purchased by the museum in 1985. It has operated at the museum but needs some work before it can run again.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 11:19:32 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MILW 988(RSC2)
Views:  56   Comments: 0
MILW 988 WSOR X103 D&R 9
Title:  MILW 988 WSOR X103 D&R 9
Description:  WSOR 1603 has a neat history. It is a transfer caboose that was rebuilt by the GTW from a boxcar in 1975. The museum got it in 1996, but in 2002, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad decided it was still useful and leased it until 2002. You know a museum piece is good when active railroads still want to use it!
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 11:26:35 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives:  MILW 988(RSC2) DR 9(2-6-0)
Views:  68   Comments: 0
DMIR C74 SOO 99085
Title:  DMIR C74 SOO 99085
Description:  This orange caboose was built in 1924.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:47:45 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  51   Comments: 0
SOO 99085 MCRY 1256
Title:  SOO 99085 MCRY 1256
Description:  1909-built caboose. Privately purchased in 1967 but has been at the museum since then. Owned by the museum since 2014.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:50:19 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  52   Comments: 0
DMIR C74
Title:  DMIR C74
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:48:12 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  56   Comments: 0
SOO 99085
Title:  SOO 99085
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:50:42 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  62   Comments: 0
CNW 10
Title:  CNW 10
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:52:40 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  48   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:45:34 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  60   Comments: 0
MCRY 1256
Title:  MCRY 1256
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:46:06 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MCRY 1256(RS-4-TC)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
MILW 8670
Title:  MILW 8670
Description:  This was originally the tender to MILW 8670, a 2-8-2 that was scrapped in 1949. The tender continued to be used as a fuel or water storage car, was donated to the museum in 1967, and served as an auxiliary tender to carry extra water for CNW 1385 from 1982-92 (hence the 1385 painted on the back).
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:56:17 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Steam
Locomotives: 
Views:  52   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29 and Water Tower
Title:  Copper Range 29 and Water Tower
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/19/2025 5:53:36 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  42   Comments: 0
MILW 8670
Title:  MILW 8670
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 6:56:54 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Steam
Locomotives: 
Views:  45   Comments: 0
GN 6
Title:  GN 6
Description:  This was built in 1913 as a Railway Post Office car. However, in 1943, it was converted into a steam generator heater car. It still serves in that role today, helping keep trains warm in the winter.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 7:03:25 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 0
GN 6
Title:  GN 6
Description:  This car has had several numbers in its life: GN 90 from 1913 to 1926, GN 19 from 1926 to 1928, GN 200 from 1928 to 1943, GN 6 from 1943 to 1968. In 1968, it was purchased by the Western Pacific to be used on California Zephyr trains, renumbered to WP 593 until coming to the Mid-Continent-Railway Museum. It received its current paint job in 2015.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/17/2025 7:03:46 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  75   Comments: 0
MCRY 7
Title:  MCRY 7
Description:  This engine occasionally pulls the trains but is being worked on. I think I heard one of the conductors mentioning they were worried about it throwing a rod if they ran it.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:53:05 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MCRY 7(S1)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
MCRY 7
Title:  MCRY 7
Description:  It is older than the other diesel; built in 1944 for the John Morrell & Company Meat Packing plant.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:54:11 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MCRY 7(S1)
Views:  45   Comments: 0
CNW 1385
Title:  CNW 1385
Description:  & MCRY 4. This was the only shot I got of 1385, but it is parked in here because they are actively restoring it to running order! Dave, the friendly engineer spearheading the project, gave me a fascinating tour of the workshop. They are hoping to have this one running again next year!
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 9:50:05 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  CNW 1385(4-6-0) MCRY 4(45Tonner)
Views:  73   Comments: 0
MCRY 7
Title:  MCRY 7
Description:  The Association of American Railroads used it to switch at their Chicago office, then donated it to the museum in 1996 when the Chicago office closed.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 10:55:01 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MCRY 7(S1)
Views:  55   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description:  Built by Alco in 1907, served the Copper Range Railroad until 1953.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:52:38 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  62   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description:  It never ran on the Mid-Continent Railway but did pull tourist trains for the Keweenaw Central Railroad from 1967-70.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:53:49 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  52   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description:  Acquired by the museum in 2004.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:54:14 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  45   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description:  Fun note about the Copper Range Railroad: it ran a "school train" to get students to and from Jeffers High School from 1909 to 1945.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:55:27 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  62   Comments: 0
Copper Range 29
Title:  Copper Range 29
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 8:55:52 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  COPR 29(2-8-0)
Views:  54   Comments: 0
Boyne City, Gaylord, and Alpena 1
Title:  Boyne City, Gaylord, and Alpena 1
Description:  No. 1 is a good number for your snowplow if the railroad is based in Michigan! Built in 1906, used by its railroad until 1959.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/19/2025 5:56:23 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  49   Comments: 0
Lake Superior & Ishpeming 22
Title:  Lake Superior & Ishpeming 22
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 11:02:31 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  LSI 22(2-8-0)
Views:  60   Comments: 0
Wisconsin Fish Commission 2
Title:  Wisconsin Fish Commission 2
Description:  The sole surviving fish car! Yep, not a coach for people, but for fish! It and WFC 1 carried fish around the state to help stock lakes and streams. A restoration, which included putting the tanks back in, was completed in 2009.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/16/2025 11:09:49 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  43   Comments: 0
Oregon Short Line 762
Title:  Oregon Short Line 762
Description:  Built in 1912.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/19/2025 6:06:34 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 0
Oregon Short Line 762
Title:  Oregon Short Line 762
Description:  The museum actually ran it in 1985-87, but now, it needs boiler repairs before it can run again.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/19/2025 6:07:15 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 0
MP 1208
Title:  MP 1208
Description:  Another old steam engine tender that survived. Provides fuel for the snow plow when the plow is running.
Photo Date:  10/11/2025  Upload Date: 10/19/2025 6:08:47 PM
Location:  North Freedom, WI
Author:  Matthew Zisi
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 0

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