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Open: Memorial Day to Labor Day Daily: 1:00 to 5:00pm
History: In 1974 a railroad committee was formed within the Morton County Historical Society. During 1986 the Railroad Museum Historical Society was established from the original committee. In 1985, Kenneth and Darlene Porsborg of Mandan, ND donated four acres of land for a museum in the NW part of Mandan. Also that year Burlington Northern, Inc. donated the yard office from Mandan and with the assistance from the Morton County Historical society the yard office was moved to it's current site. The North Dakota State Legislature in 1989 designated the museum in Mandan as the North Dakota State Railroad Museum.
Displays & Artifacts: BN yard mule, 16 ton SOO caboose #282, wood, built in 1913. BN caboose #10411, steel, ex CB&Q BN caboose #12591, steel, ex GN X-73 SOO 40' tank car #22511, single dome, built in 1923 SOO 40' box car #135452, wood, built in 1928 NP 60' flat car #64027, built in 1949 NP 40' box car #202124, steel NP 40' refrigerator car #92105, wood NP 40' box car #14303, wood NP 36' box car #37713, wood
NP semaphores SOO/NP 'smash boards' from the diamond in east Bismarck, ND. SOO speeder shacks from Bismarck, ND NP speeder & push cart
The Railroad Museum has a unique display of HO model 'hopper cars' from the collection of Dr. Kenneth J. Johnson of Bismarck, ND. The idea for the collection arose out of the grain car shortage in the Midwest and upon seeing different hopper cars in his travels. Dr. Johnson would photograph them, record all the actual identification information and then model a reproduction. In his collection there are more than 200 different 'hopper cars' representing the elevator companies that purchased them.
The Railroad Museum has a special collection of 'Timetables' from every railroad in the United States. R.H. 'Andy' Anderson of Bismarck, ND donated the collection, which reflects many of the nations railroads at the peak of passenger service in the United States.
The Railroad Museum has an extensive collection of photographs from the camera of Ron V. Nixon, a longtime Northern Pacific dispatcher. The pictures feature all the different classes of Northern Pacific steam power, North Dakota scenes, and pictures from the Milwaukee Road, Great Northern, and Soo Line.
Artifacts, both large and small, fill all corners of the Railroad Museum. They reflect the uniqueness of items especially designed and made for the operations of the railroads. For some romance of old-time railroading, or to look at old rolling stock, or assorted railroad memorabilia, consider a stop at the North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan.
Gift Shop The museum has a small gift shop which sells an assortment of railroad memorabilia including shirts, caps, postcards, books, belt buckles, and more. This is a chance to pick up a gift for yourself or your favorite rail fan.
We Need Your Help! If you have any Railroad artifacts and would like to help our Museum grow, you may bring them to the Railroad Museum. We would appreciate any donated items. The North Dakota State Railroad Museum thanks you for your help and for visiting our Museum in Mandan, North Dakota. The North Dakota State Railroad Museum is supported through donations, gifts, and grants. We appreciate any and all assistance to help maintain the history of railroading in North Dakota. We have a 501c3 status with the IRS, your donations can be used for a tax deduction.
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Main museum building which was donated by the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1984. This building was the BN yard office in Mandan.
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This bridge was built by the National Guard as a training exercise, was actually on the south branch out of Mandan before being disassembled and moved to our location.
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Plaques and signs. |
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NP-power for passenger cars while at Mandan Depot.
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Panoramic view of the museum property standing in the SW corner starting by looking north and then panning to the right. | ||||
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Back lot | ||||
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More panoramic views | ||||
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Soo Line speeder shacks from Bismarck, ND were donated by the Soo Line Railroad on July 7, 1989. One shack serviced the Bismarck to Wishek line, and the other was used for the Bismarck to Max line. | ||||
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One of the several NP semaphores on the property. | ||||
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Picnic shelter | ||||
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Old parade engine and box car | ||||
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Interior of the main room inside the museum.
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Interior of the main room inside the museum. |
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Interior of the main room inside the museum. |
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Waiting bench from the NP depot in Mandan and in the background our HO scale layout.
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Partial collection of books and magazines. |
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Display case in the main room of the museum. |
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Display case in the main room of the museum. |
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The desk and paper holder above are the original Soo roundhouse foreman's desk from Bismarck, ND. This desk was last used by the Section foreman. |
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Coaling bucket from Harvey, ND. Donated by the CP Railroad. |
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