Gopher State Railway Museum

Gopher State Railway Museum is a non-profit corporation that was incorporated in the State of Minnesota in 1990 to educate the public through collection, preservation, restoration, display, and operation of railroad equipment and artifacts.

Our Goal

GSRM's goal is to educate the public about the railroads that helped create the State of Minnesota we live in today as well as the stories of the people that built, operated and used those railroads.

In order to reach that goal, GSRM volunteers are developing a 20 acre site, 2 miles north of New Prague, MN into a place where visitors can see vintage rail equipment in operation, learn about the people who built and operated them and experience history in action.

GSRM's five-year plan includes finish rebuilding a former 20' x 40' grain storage building from Kilkenny, MN into Hilltop Depot, a fictional depot for the real station of Hilltop that was a named place in old Minneapolis & St Louis Railway timetables at approximately this very spot. (Hilltop never featured a depot, it was just a named siding.)

A demonstration loop track is under construction which when complete will provide an opportunity for visitors to see rail equipment in operation and ride vintage rail cars.  The loop will follow the perimeter of the 20 acre site. 

A replica working roundhouse and turntable are planned to provide shop space to restore rail equipment and indoor storage/display space for GSRM's older pieces of wood construction.

GSRM's ultimate ambition is for guests and volunteers to have fun, while maintaining a professional approach to everything it does.

Not all GSRM volunteers may be full-time professional railroaders, but GSRM's goal is to always be professional volunteers.

Who We Are

The volunteers that make up Gopher State Railway Museum come from a wide range of backgrounds and skill sets and vary greatly in age.

You can volunteer!

Please consider becoming a GSRM volunteer.

Member dues are $30 per year.

No experience necesary, just a willingness to learn.  GSRM is always looking for like minded people who share an interest or passion for history and preservation.

GSRM volunteers do everything from site construction, restoration and operation to hosting events for guests and the public.

There's heavy work, light work and in-between work for all ages and abilities.

Whether you can volunteer a few hours a week or a few hours a year, you're welcome and it's a great family bonding activity too.

Consider joining GSRM's volunteers today!