Are train rides included with admission?

Yes. On Saturdays short train rides are included with admission and operate rain, snow, or shine.

Where do I pick up will-call tickets?

All tickets are will-call only—give your name at the ticket window when you arrive at Jackson Street Roundhouse.

Is the Caboose Birdhouse event suitable for young children?

Yes, the event is family-focused; however adult admission is required for children ages 0–15 attending the special event.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket pricing varies by age: $16 Adults (18+), $11 Students (6–17), $6 Pre-K (3–6), Free Infants (0–3), and a $42.40 Family of 4 bundle (2 Adults + 2 Children).

Is the site wheelchair accessible?

Portions of the site have historic, uneven surfaces and active restoration areas; contact the museum directly for specific accessibility accommodations.

Are tickets for special events limited?

Yes. Tickets for the Caboose Birdhouse and other special events are limited and schedules are subject to change—book or check ahead.

Jackson Street Roundhouse Caboose Birdhouse Event: Train Rides & Turntable in St Paul | Train | History Tour

Jackson Street Roundhouse: 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130, is a working rail complex where the clack of rails and the scent of oil invite visitors into living industrial history. This family-focused Saturday program blends included train rides with a hands-on Caboose Birdhouse event, live restoration viewing, and the rare spectacle of an operating turntable. The property holds more than fifty historic train cars on multiple sidings; key features include an operating turntable—one of the last in the country—rows of restored steam and diesel cars, a kids’ zone built for tactile learning, and a depot store stocked with railroad ephemera. On Saturdays, short train rides run rain, snow, or shine and give close-up views of cabooses and passenger cars that retain original fittings and signage. The Caboose Birdhouse event pairs Eagle Scouts and museum volunteers with families to assemble and decorate small birdhouses inside a caboose or under covered bays. Children learn basic woodworking, about birds that nest in urban parks, and about the role cabooses played as crew quarters and watch posts on freight runs. The program runs 10AM–4PM and tickets are will-call at the ticket window—bring your name for pickup. Jackson Street Roundhouse matters because it keeps mechanical skills and restoration craft visible: watching a locomotive pivot on the turntable clarifies the scale and precision of early 20th-century rail operations in a way static displays cannot. For families, the mix of active restoration, children’s programming, and included train rides makes this a low-stress, high-engagement outing. Logistics are straightforward but historic surfaces can be uneven—good shoes are recommended. Tickets are priced per person with family bundles available; adult supervision is required for children attending the special event. Note that tickets for special events are limited and operating schedules can change, so plan ahead. Whether you come to photograph rivets and brass numbers, teach a child to drive a screw, or simply ride a real train on a Saturday, the Roundhouse offers a tactile slice of Midwestern rail history that feels immediate and approachable. Arrive early to watch the turntable move and secure seats on the first train; volunteers give informal talks by the restoration bays. The depot store sells model kits and memorabilia. Because schedules change, check the museum’s calendar before visiting to catch special restorations, volunteer demonstrations, or seasonal programs and workshops.

About Minnesota Transportation Museum

Minnesota Transportation Museum preserves and operates historic railroad equipment and runs scenic, themed train trips out of Osceola, Wisconsin. The museum operates vintage passenger cars, hosts narrated excursions through the St. Croix River Valley, and manages special events including family rides, seasonal festivals, and educational programs.

Trains run from Osceola to destinations such as Dresser and feature experiences like the Pizza Train, Wine or Beer Tasting, Pumpkin Express, Fall Colors Train, and Dresser Lunch Train. The organization also offers admission to the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul, where visitors can explore interactive exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, and over fifty vintage train cars.

Volunteers and knowledgeable hosts lead onboard storytelling, historical interpretation, and guest services that emphasize safety, accessibility, and authentic railroad heritage. The museum maintains and operates one of the last functioning turntables in the country, used during special events and roundhouse demonstrations. Educational programs include hands-on activities for children — highlighted by Tots & Trains — and living-history opportunities such as Railroad Reality Days.

Facility amenities include historic depots in Osceola and Dresser, volunteer-guided tours, seasonal food and beverage pairings, and community-oriented events like Oktoberfest and Haunted Roundhouse. The museum partners with local vendors for locally sourced food on themed trains and relies on volunteer staff and preservation specialists for restoration and operations. Visitors can expect curated, schedule-based rides, family-friendly programming, and authentic historic equipment that showcases regional railroad history. Ticketed events follow set schedules and ticketing information is available on the museum's official website and box office locations.