The Tower Train Museum

Visited on: Wednesday, August 14, 2024

After a wonderful time at the Bois Fort Heritage Center, I rolled into Tower, Minnesota, looking forward to another museum featuring one of my favorite things: old trains.

And what bad luck I had. The museum was closed on the day I came to town. I still spent a little bit of time wandering around and checking out what I could. I guess I’ll have to return in the future so I can go inside these cool train cars.

A vintage black steam locomotive displayed under a shelter with a metal roof. The train has large white wheels and is marked with the number "121" on the side. It is situated on a concrete surface with grass and trees visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
A weathered, black steam locomotive is displayed under a wooden pavilion. It features rust and peeling paint. The locomotive's front includes a large circular face and metal grating, with a ladder on the side. The background has lush green trees and a grassy area.
A vintage steam locomotive, labeled "D.M. & I.R. Ry 1218," is partially covered by a roof. A yellow sign with black text in front of the engine provides historical information. Wooden steps lead to the cab, showcasing the intricate machinery inside. A large wheel is visible at the side.
A yellow information sign with a red train illustration at the top, titled "Welcome to DM&IR Engine #1218". It provides historical details and specifications of the steam locomotive built in 1910, including weight, dimensions, and modifications over time.
A vintage passenger train car labeled "DULUTH" with the number 81 is displayed under a roofed area. The car is dark green with visible rivets and has windows along its length. A set of steps leads up to an open door. The surrounding area features grass and concrete.
Interior of a vintage train car featuring wooden benches with dark upholstery on the left, and a long central aisle leading to dining tables set with white tablecloths and chairs. The car has a rustic feel, with signs reading “Cuanta A La Conservacion Patrial” and natural lighting.
The interior of a vintage train car features a wood-burning stove, wooden floors, and benches. A chair and desk with a globe and lamp sit to the left, near photos and signs. A detailed model train is displayed on a shelf. Red-trimmed windows provide natural light.
A sign for the Tower Train Museum stands under an overhang, surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The sign is decorated with a historic train photo and text detailing the museum's significance. A corner of a black train engine is visible on the left.

Down the road, a bit from the museum was something that looked like a bar or something that maybe once had been a bar, and I thought, well, if it is open, I’ll support the local economy and have a beer.

It looks like a building that might work really well in a horror movie production.

Dilapidated, three-story building with exposed brickwork and crumbling plaster. A rusty sign reads "Snack Bar." Overgrown plants surround the structure. Cloudy sky in the background, behind a metal fence, and a grassy field nearby adds to the neglected atmosphere.

And if they need a prop for that horror movie, this car was a block or two away. And no, that is not a Mustang body sitting on a trailer. Someone mutilated that Mustang and did this.

A black vintage car with neon green wheels is lifted on a modified chassis, parked on grass. It has a "For Sale" sign on the window. The background features a blue house, a white house, and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.
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From: Minnesota