Duluth, MN
Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad
4.7· 154 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeVolunteer-run heritage railroad through the St. Louis River Estuary in Duluth
- LocationDuluth, MN
- Rating4.7 ★154 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Typical rideAbout 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours for the narrated out-and-back trip
- Tickets & fares$24 adults plus booking fees; $12 ages 5-12 plus fees; ages 4 and under free with a required ticket
- AccessibilityVintage coaches require three large steps and are not wheelchair accessible; call before purchase to discuss volunteer assistance
About Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad
Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) heritage railroad now presented to visitors as the Duluth River Train. Its narrated, approximately two-hour round trip follows 5.2 miles of preserved original right-of-way beside the St. Louis River Estuary, departing and returning at 6930 Fremont Street in western Duluth. The pace, vintage coaches, open-air Safari Car, and river landscape make this a deliberately small-scale excursion rather than a high-speed or all-weather train.
Plan a Duluth River Train Excursion
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, first-time riders, natural-history travelers, and railfans
Ride beside the St. Louis River Estuary
Take a slow, narrated two-hour out-and-back trip through river, wetland, forest, and industrial-history landscapes west of Duluth.
Day-trippers building a flexible western Duluth itinerary
Choose a morning or afternoon departure
Use either the 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. session on sixteen remaining weekend dates through October 18.
Railfans and transportation-history visitors
Understand the vintage consist
Ride in early-twentieth-century coaches behind Locomotive 46 when scheduled, with the open-air Safari Car available only when the operating consist permits.
Families and visitors planning a full western Duluth day
Pair the train with Lake Superior Zoo
Add the independent 19-acre zoo about 0.3 driving mile away, while protecting the train's requested 30-minute arrival margin.
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
- Remaining 2026 calendarSixteen Saturday and Sunday dates from August 29 through October 18; live availability changes
- Departure times10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on listed dates
- Ride lengthAbout 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours for the narrated out-and-back trip
- RouteApproximately six miles outbound and back over the same corridor; the organization preserves 5.2 miles of original right-of-way
- BoardingAll public departures use 6930 Fremont Street, Duluth, Minnesota
- ArrivalPlan to arrive 20-30 minutes early; boarding generally starts about 15 minutes before departure
- Fares$24 adults plus booking fees; $12 ages 5-12 plus fees; ages 4 and under free with a required ticket
- Military offerActive military and veterans ride free on Sundays under the current published policy
- SeatingGeneral seating in vintage coaches; current consist and the availability of the open-air Safari Car can vary
- AccessibilityVintage coaches require three large steps and are not wheelchair accessible; call before purchase to discuss volunteer assistance
- Onboard comfortChemical toilet in each coach, no running water, and no heat or air conditioning; dress for the weather
- Food and petsOutside food is allowed; no alcohol, smoking, vaping, or tobacco; service dogs only with conductor permission and no pets or emotional-support animals
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current equipment page identifies Locomotive 46 as a 50-ton General Electric center-cab industrial switcher built in 1946 and donated to the organization in 1985. Coaches 29 and 85 date to 1912. The open-air Safari Car began as a 1928 Northern Pacific flatcar before conversion for passenger use. Actual consists can change, and Wisconsin Great Northern locomotive 41 is described only as backup power, not a guaranteed train.
History
The first train from St. Paul reached Duluth over the original Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad on August 1.
Passenger coaches now identified as 29 and 85 were built.
General Electric built the 50-ton center-cab switcher now numbered 46.
The volunteer heritage organization revived the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad name for excursion service.
The railroad reported completion of a major wheel-and-truck rebuild for Locomotive 46.
See full history
The original Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad brought the first St. Paul train into Duluth on August 1, 1870. Today's nonprofit excursion organization revived the name in 1981 and preserves a 5.2-mile portion of the original right-of-way along the St. Louis River. The contemporary visitor brand, Duluth River Train, connects that transportation history to the estuary landscape without claiming to recreate the full 154-mile historical route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Duluth River Train depart?
All public excursions depart and return at 6930 Fremont Street in western Duluth. This is not the downtown Duluth Depot used by North Shore Scenic Railroad.
When does it run for the rest of 2026?
The reconciled live calendar lists sixteen Saturday and Sunday dates from August 29 through October 18, with 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. sessions. Live availability controls.
How long is the ride?
Allow about two hours. The official FAQ describes roughly six miles outbound and a return over the same route, with a total duration around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 20-30 minutes early. Boarding generally begins about 15 minutes before departure, and the train cannot hold for late arrivals.
How much are tickets?
Published fares are $24 for adults and $12 for children ages 5-12, plus booking fees. Children 4 and under ride free but still need a ticket. Current Sunday rides are free for active military and veterans.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
No. The antique coaches require three large steps and are not wheelchair accessible. Volunteers may be able to assist some riders, so call 218-624-7549 before purchase to discuss the exact need.
Are there restrooms and climate control?
Each coach has a chemical toilet without running water. The cars do not have heat or air conditioning, so dress for the day's weather.
Can I bring food, alcohol, or a pet?
Outside food is allowed. Alcohol, smoking, vaping, and tobacco are prohibited. Pets and emotional-support animals are not allowed; service dogs require conductor permission.
Is Group Rates a different train?
No. The booking catalog's Group Rates listing is discounted pricing for groups of 10 or more on the same Weekend Excursion, not a separate ride or event calendar.
How should I pair the train with Lake Superior Zoo?
The zoo is about 0.3 driving mile away. Pair it before the 1:30 p.m. train or after the 10:30 a.m. train when seasonal zoo hours leave enough time, and keep the railroad's 30-minute arrival request protected.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official Duluth River Train homepage for current brand, schedule, fares, boarding address, ride description, nonprofit status, and access summary
- Live FareHarbor Weekend Excursions calendar for every remaining 2026 date and sampled departure-session verification
- Official fares and charters page for contact details, general seating, group-rate boundary, and charter capacity
- Official FAQ for duration, route, arrival, boarding, access, food, pets, comfort, and nearby recommendations
- Official rolling-stock page for Locomotive 46, coaches 29 and 85, and Safari Car history
- Official history page for the 1870 arrival and original route context
- Official about page for mission, volunteer organization, and preserved 5.2-mile right-of-way
- Licensed historical railroad and St. Louis River corridor image sources
