New Prague, MN
Gopher State Railway Museum
4.7· 29 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-15- TypeVolunteer-run operating railway museum with short caboose-train rides on the museum grounds
- LocationNew Prague, MN
- Rating4.7 ★29 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Oct 3
About Gopher State Railway Museum
Gopher State Railway Museum is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) operating museum on 20 acres about two miles north of New Prague. On the first Saturday from May through October, its caboose train makes short rides on the museum's own track while visitors tour selected rolling stock and restoration displays. The current site also announces Dozinky Day rides and Pumpkin Express. Ride equipment is historic and the grounds function as an active preservation site, so visitors should confirm the day's admission, train access, weather plan, open exhibits, and locomotive assignment before a long drive.
Choose a Caboose-Ride Day That Fits Your Group
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time visitors, families, railfans, and travelers who want the standard museum-day experience
Ride a regular first-Saturday caboose train
Use Sept. 5 or Oct. 3 for the core 10 a.m.-4 p.m. operating-day pattern and confirm admission and equipment before driving.
Weekend travelers, local-history visitors, and guests building a two-day New Prague itinerary
Pair Dozinky rides with New Prague history
The museum lists Sept. 19 rides from 3-7 p.m.; the independent historical society offers its separately ticketed New Prague trolley tour the next day.
Families, October visitors, and travelers who need a fixed seasonal date
Plan Pumpkin Express
The recurring official rule places Pumpkin Express on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; confirm the current admission and activity list directly.
Visitors with mobility, sensory, seating, restroom, or weather-related planning needs
Arrange access questions before travel
Ask about caboose steps, grounds, restrooms, seating, weather, and the locomotive assignment because the site does not publish a complete access statement.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- AccessibilityThe current public pages do not publish a complete train, caboose, restroom, or grounds accessibility statement; call before travel for the exact route and boarding method
- WeatherMuch of the collection and ride setting is outdoors; volunteer work sessions are weather permitting and event conditions can change
- Regular HoursFirst Saturday of each month, May through October, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; other visits may be arranged subject to volunteer availability
- Remaining 2026 DatesSept. 5 and Oct. 3 regular first-Saturday visits; Sept. 19 Dozinky rides; Oct. 10 Pumpkin Express
- RideShort caboose-train rides on track within the museum's 20-acre property
- EquipmentA rotating historic caboose consist powered by either 1940 EMC SW1 NSP 4 or 1954 Alco S4 FW 1, according to current event pages
- TicketsEvent pages direct visitors to the depot ticket window on the day for priced programs; regular, Dozinky, and Pumpkin details should be reconfirmed
- BoardingUse the depot and museum grounds at 25501 Helena Boulevard, not the historic New Prague depot photographed on the local-history page
- FoodFood is specifically announced for some special events but is not promised for every operating day
- AppointmentsCall the alternate number, 952-412-2145, for a possible visit outside the public schedule, subject to volunteer availability
Find the Depot
The Trains
The public caboose train draws from cars representing Minnesota and Upper Midwest railroad history, with current special-event pages describing cabooses from roughly 1900 through 1956. Power is assigned from two operating diesel-electric locomotives: 1940 EMC SW1 NSP 4, originally CB&Q 9146, or 1954 Alco S4 FW 1, acquired from the University of Minnesota in 2020. The broader collection includes 1871 CB&Q drover's waycar 14534, 1880 Pullman office car Manitoba, 1911 Wisconsin Central caboose 99114, 1946 Minneapolis & St. Louis caboose 1201, passenger and service cars, and equipment awaiting restoration or transport. Display status does not guarantee public interior access or train assignment.
History
The Burlington built drover's car that survives as CB&Q waycar 14534.
Pullman delivered office car Manitoba for the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway.
The locomotive now preserved as NSP 4 was built as CB&Q SW1 9146.
Museum volunteers rescued Manitoba's carbody from a highway-demolition project and moved it to New Prague.
NSP 4, CB&Q 14534, and a shop car moved to the museum property.
The museum operated its first train for members and guests and opened its public operating era.
NSP 4 hauled public caboose rides during New Prague's Dozinky celebration.
The museum acquired Alco S4 FW 1 from the University of Minnesota.
Minneapolis & St. Louis caboose 1201 moved onto the New Prague property.
Volunteers began rebuilding a steel underframe for office car Manitoba.
The museum announced a restoration-shop campaign while continuing first-Saturday caboose operations.
See full history
The nonprofit was created by railway-preservation volunteers with the long-term goal of an operating museum. It rescued the Pullman office car Manitoba in 1998, moved key equipment to the New Prague property in 2009, and built track and a depot through volunteer work. Members and guests rode the museum's first public train in July 2014. Locomotive-hauled caboose rides followed during Dozinky in September 2016 on about one-third mile of track. The collection and operating capability have continued to grow, including the 2020 acquisition of Alco FW 1 and the 2021 move of M&StL caboose 1201. Current work includes Manitoba's reconstructed underframe and a 2026 restoration-shop fundraising campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Gopher State Railway Museum offer public caboose rides?
The current site says the caboose train runs the first Saturday of each month from May through October, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., plus named special events.
What ride dates remain in 2026?
Sept. 5 and Oct. 3 are the remaining regular first Saturdays. Dozinky rides are Sept. 19, and Pumpkin Express is Oct. 10.
How long is the train ride?
The operator describes a short ride on the museum grounds but does not publish a fixed current duration. Do not plan it as a main-line excursion.
Which locomotive will pull the train?
Current event pages identify NSP 4 and FW 1 as operating power, but museum mechanical staff choose the locomotive of the day.
Can I buy tickets online?
The current priced event pages direct guests to the depot ticket window on the day. Confirm the exact admission method for the date you choose.
Is the train wheelchair-accessible?
The current public pages do not publish a complete caboose-boarding or route statement. Call before buying or traveling for the exact equipment and ground conditions.
Can I visit outside the public schedule?
The museum says visits may be arranged depending on volunteer availability; call 952-412-2145 to ask.
Is office car Manitoba part of the ride?
No ride assignment is promised. Manitoba is a historically important restoration and tour object whose protected carbody is being prepared for a reconstructed frame.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 15, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for current first-Saturday hours, Dozinky and Pumpkin recurrence, appointments, address, and contact details
- Official About page for nonprofit status, 20-acre site, caboose operations, collection access, and volunteer model
- Official special-events page for the five seasonal event patterns and ride identity
- Official family-event page for caboose consist, locomotives, admission pattern, and depot ticketing
- Official Take the Throttle page for current operating locomotive details and assignment caveat
- Official equipment roster for collection history and restoration status
- Official news archive for the first 2014 train and 2016 locomotive-hauled public caboose rides
- Official Manitoba highlight for the 1998 rescue and current underframe project
- Exact licensed Gopher State Railway Museum image evidence on Wikimedia Commons
