Donations / Support

Please consider donating to our fundraisers where all proceeds go to repairing engine 46, improving the tracks, our buildings and other rolling stock.

The LS&M is a 100% volunteer organization, operated and maintained by volunteers only. All money raised goes directly towards running our operations.

We look forward to our 2024 season to again provide a safe, beautiful ride along the St. Louis River Estuary.

See our photo gallery for views of the trip along the river. 

YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK TO  MAINTAIN THIS IMPORTANT HISTORICAL LEGACY OF WEST DULUTH!

Every donation counts, and we appreciate it very much! 

Thank You to our Major Supporters

The Andrew Webb Estate

Funded in part by the Riverfront Community and the Henry and Sarah Wheeler Historical Awareness Funds of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.
David presents a check from the CN to LS&M President, Joel Manns representing the number of hours he has donated to the LS&M in 2020.

Help Support Our Upgrades & Restorations by Donating to these Projects

Locomotive 46

Locomotive 46 is a General Electric Center Cab 50T Type Industrial Switcher built in 1946.  The locomotive needs the wheels and trucks rebuilt, a new floor and the exhausts raised.  Total cost is approximately $100,000. We have raised some funding through generous donations and hope to obtain donated labor to complete these upgrades.

See update on Engine 46 repairs

Coaches

Coach 29 & 85 were built in 1912 by the American Car and Foundry for the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway. The coaches are being cleaned with interiors and windows repaired / painted,  and brakes maintenance updated. 

Safari Car

A flat car built by Siems – Staubel Co of St Paul MN in 1928 for the Northern Pacific Railway is now the Safari Car for Duluth’s River Train. It was recently rebuilt from the frame up with help from a grant from Enbridge Energy and Enbridge volunteers. Volunteers replaced the decking and redesigned the seats, railing and gates to enhance passenger comfort and safety. 

See the progess on the Safari Car

Track Repair

Our tracks run along a portion of the original route of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Rail Road into Duluth. The tracks and railbeds need ongoing maintenance. We will continue to focus on work to repair damage from previous storms, removal of brush and tie replacement. The track crew replaced 500 ties last year and would like to replace a similar number this season. We need to dump ballast and to contract for a tamping crew to surface what we repaired last season. Volunteers are always needed for this ongoing work.

Station and Shop

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad owns a shop and ticket office along BN track in western Duluth. The shop is large enough to store 2 locomotives, 2 coaches, and various track maintenance machines.  

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You can donate to the railroad anytime using GiveMN Fundraiser. We are a completely volunteer organization. All funds raised are used for our operations.

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This is our 44th season! We are excited to continue telling the stories of the St Louis River and sharing the spectacular views and our historic river train with you!

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Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad Statement of Non-Discrimination & Inclusiveness

The LSMR strives to provide an inclusive environment in which the value of each volunteer, passenger, and member of the general public is respected. LSMR leaders recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives for group decisions to achieve effective collaborative compromise. Volunteer assignments are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), or disability provided the volunteer meets safety and training requirements specified by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad © 2024 All rights reserved.

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