A train whistle blows in the distance and all heads turn to the west, waiting for the first glimpse of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad's historic passenger train. A few minutes later, the bright yellow and red locomotive rounds the corner, whistling again in greeting to the waiting crowd. As the train comes to rest at the ticket office across Grand Avenue from the Lake Superior Zoo, and sets the brakes with a hiss of air, people search through pockets and purses for their ticket to ride.
"All aboard!" conductor Fred Glibbery cries, punching tickets and helping the guests up the steep treads into the century-old passenger cars. There's no assigned seating here, so choosing a seat becomes part of the fun: Is it warm enough to sit outside on the "safari" car? Or better to get comfortable inside, to ride in one of the Pullman-style passenger cars like they did a hundred years ago?
When all are aboard, Conductor Fred calls out "Highball!" to the engineer and the train is off.
The train picks up speed, cruising at a brisk 10 mph.
"We sell scenery on this trip; no speed records will be set today," Bill Dols says about the trip. Dols is the narrator today and tells about the rich history of the LS&M Railroad, American Indian folklore and many landmarks, while keeping an eye out for wildlife along the trip: a great blue heron, bald eagles, flocks of Canada geese and goslings, ducks, and -- if the weather is nice -- turtles that come out of the water to sun themselves.
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Manito, the LS&M's mascot, is a friendly Airedale terrier who sits by Dols' side and greets the passengers who stop by to give him a pat.
At the end of the track, by Boy Scout Landing in Gary-New Duluth, the passengers get to watch the train crew in action. The locomotive is unhooked from the train, brought around to the other end and reconnected, set to bring the train back home again.
Riders on the safari car now get a close-up view of the 1946 GE diesel centercab switcher.
With three quick whistles from the locomotive, the train is off, heading back home again.
One more trip across the Mud Lake causeway, with water only a few feet away from both sides of the train, one last trip by Spirit Island and a last trip around Blackmere Curve (you have to hear the story about that!).
When the train returns to the ticket office off Grand Avenue and Fremont Street, the riders reluctantly collect their things, glad they had found this little-known gem in Duluth and ready to plan time to take the trip again.
The volunteers of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad welcome you to ride the train.
The train runs every Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 5, with the Fourth of July and Labor Day as additional scheduled dates. Departure times are 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10.25 for adults, $6.25 for kids ages 4-12 (3 and younger ride free). Well-behaved pets are welcome. Show up at least 20 minutes before departure time to get your tickets. Groups of 10 or more should call to reserve seats. Call (218) 624-7549.
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Please note this train does not depart from the Depot downtown. The ticket office is at Grand Avenue and Fremont Street, behind the Little Store gas station, across the street from the Lake Superior Zoo.
All aboard!
