A Relaxed Autumn Ride for Adults

Celebrate the arrival of Fall with a train ride. Embark on a 55-minute through rural Sauk County.

Aboard the train, passengers will enjoy a hot apple cider spiked with rum or brandy and a donut.

The Harvest Happy Hour does NOT include a stop to purchase pumpkins. If you are looking for a ride with the ability to get pumpkins, please see our Pumpkin Special trains earlier in the day.

Included with This Ticket

• 55-minute train ride in early-1900s coach cars pulled by a diesel locomotive.
• Spiked hot apple cider and a donut, served at your seat.
• Admission to museum display buildings
• Self-guided tour pamphlet (provided at ticket window)

Duration

Train ride takes approximately 55-minutes. Suggested additional time to allow for taking the self-guided tour of the museum displays and a visit to the gift shop is about 1 hour. It is suggested to view the museum before the train ride.

About the Ride Experience

This train departs at 7:00 PM will take place entirely after dark. Given the rural nature of Mid-Continent's line, this means there is limited the ability to see outdoor scenery during this event. This train is about the onboard experience. For scenery viewing, consider choosing our Autumn Color Weekends trains or Pumpkin Special trains.

Although the cars are fully enclosed, the train cars are not heated. Because these trains will be operating into the evening when temperatures start dropping, it is advisable to bring layered clothing so you can adjust to the temperatures and/or bring a blanket along with you on the train.

Viewing the Museum

Mid-Continent's outdoor train yard exhibit area is only minimally lit. For the best museum viewing experience, plan to view the outdoor areas of the museum before the train ride. Indoor portions of the museum are lit and viewable after dark.

About our Museum and Train Excursions

Take a memorable, seven-mile, 55-minute round-trip train ride on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway nestled in a valley between the Baraboo Hills in rural Sauk County. Passengers ride in restored steel coaches built a century ago. An authentically attired conductor will call “all aboard!” before the train leaves from a historic wooden depot, built in 1894.

Mid-Continent is much more than just a train ride. Our Coach Sheds are filled with restored wooden passenger cars, freight cars and displays from the turn of the century. There you will find examples of Mid-Continent’s nationally renowned wood car restorations such as the Badger #2 “Fish Car”, the exquisite Art Nouveau-motif of the Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western #63, the 1903-built Copper Range coach #60. In our outdoor display yard, you can inspect century-old steam locomotives up-close, including Copper Range locomotive #29, Soo Line #2645 and Kewaunee Green Bay & Western #49. In all, there are nearly 40 train cars and locomotives on prominent display with many more awaiting restoration.

What to Know

• All trains are powered by diesel locomotives.
• Seating is not assigned.
• Windows can be individually opened for ventilation. Train cars are not climate-controlled. Onboard temperatures can be chilly during fall events. Be prepared by wearing clothing appropriate to the outdoor temperatures, or bring a blanket.