North Shore Scenic Railroad
4.3(1.8K)google
3.4(99)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyFall FoliageOutdoorImmersiveHistoryCoast
Overview
The North Shore Scenic Railroad (reporting mark LSRX) is a heritage railroad that operates between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minnesota, United States, along 28 miles (45 km) of the Lakefront Line, once part of the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railroad. Owned by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, the NSSR operates out of the former Duluth Union Depot, now the St. Louis County Depot.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-6 hours
Best TimeStrictly seasonal, operating primarily from May through October. A mid-September to October departure is peerless, capturing peak North Shore autumn foliage. The Saturday morning 10:30 AM 'Two Harbors Full-Day Excursion' is highly recommended; the vintage coach rumbles smoothly past rugged Lake Superior cliffs and amber woodlands.
Getting ThereThe historic departure platform is situated at the Duluth Depot (506 W Michigan St). From I-35 N take exit 256B for 5th Ave W, and turn right onto Michigan St. Utilize the spacious paid Depot Parking Garage directly attached to the facility; arrive at least 45 minutes before departure for physical boarding and ticketing.
Travel Tips
- The premier full-day Two Harbors route operates exclusively during peak autumn foliage weekends; ticket inventory releases in June and sells out instantly, leaving zero day-of walk-up availability.
- Standard coach cars lack modern HVAC climate controls, becoming exceptionally chilly in late autumn; secure window seats on the right side during the outbound journey for unobstructed Lake Superior vistas.
- Boarding takes place at the Duluth Depot where on-site complimentary parking does not exist; utilize the paid Depot Parking Ramp and allot 40 minutes for garage routing and boarding checks.
Reviews
Positive
- Riding the vintage heritage train along the shores of Lake Superior offers picturesquely beautiful North Shore scenery, making it a fantastic historical journey for railfans and families.
- The train interiors are beautifully maintained, clean, and retain a rich vintage ambiance; the onboard staff, mostly enthusiastic volunteers, are incredibly warm and attentive.
- The Duluth Depot station is orderly and well-managed, with crystal-clear signage at the ticket office, making the boarding and check-in process highly organized and pleasant.
- The snacks and soft drinks sold on board are very reasonably priced with zero tourist-trap markup, making it high-value to sip hot cocoa while watching forests and lakes glide past.
Heads up
- Some short excursions, like the city tour under two hours, follow a rather monotonous route through urban industrial corridors and woods with limited lake views, bordering on a letdown.
- The vintage train's suspension and soundproofing are rudimentary, causing significant shaking and loud mechanical clatter that can be punishing for noise-sensitive or motion-sickness-prone riders.
- The historic coaches generally lack modern accessibility modifications or spacious restrooms, leaving passengers with large strollers or wheelchairs feeling extremely restricted.
- During super peak times like the autumn foliage season, tickets are notoriously hard to get without booking online weeks ahead, and the crowded train cars can get quite noisy.