Beltrami County Historical Society dedicates caboose at Train Days event
The two-day event celebrating the Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society's 40th anniversary offered plenty of fun activities for train enthusiasts, including live music and model railroad displays.
Attendees applaud during a dedication ceremony for a historic Great Northern Railway caboose during a Train Days event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
BEMIDJI 鈥� The
Beltrami County History Center
was buzzing with activity over the weekend during a Train Days event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society.
The two-day event offered plenty of fun activities for train enthusiasts, with attendees having the opportunity to check out model railroads in multiple scales, including an expansive LEGO city and railroad displays.
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Attendees were also able to tour the X259 caboose, a 1948 Great Northern Railway relic that gives visitors "a glimpse into the golden age of American rail travel," a release noted.
Attendees check out the inside of a historic Great Northern Railway caboose during a Train Days event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
"Originally built as a steel, 30-foot caboose, it was an essential part of railroad operations, allowing crew members to monitor trains from an elevated vantage point. Thanks to careful preservation, visitors will have the rare opportunity to step aboard and experience the sights and sounds of a bygone era."
The caboose arrived at its permanent home on the tracks outside the history center in January 2024 after a successful fundraising campaign.
The caboose arrived at the Great Northern Depot on Wednesday and was carefully craned onto the tracks early Thursday morning in front of a small crowd.
During Saturday's event, a small crowd gathered around the caboose for a dedication ceremony, where BCHS Executive Director Emily Thabes expressed her gratitude to those who made the project a success.
"This project came together so fast and it would not have been possible without all of you," she said. "We put together just a little sign of thanks for all of our contributors for folks who both donated funds, but also ... donated time, donated equipment, your experience, in some cases your blood and sweat, and a lot of hours to make this (caboose) come here and make it be a rather beautiful and available piece of history for our community."
Attendees check out a model railroad during a Train Days event hosted by the Beltrami County Historical Society on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Attendees of a Train Days event check out a LEGO city and railroad display on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Emily Thabes, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society, speaks during a dedication ceremony for a Great Northern Railroad caboose on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
A model train makes its way around the tracks of a railroad display during a Train Days event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Attendees had the opportunity to hear live music outside the Beltrami County History Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as part of a Train Days event.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
The Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society, in partnership with the Beltrami County Historical Society, kicked off its second Train Days event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
An attendee checks out a model railroad during a Train Days event hosted by the Beltrami County Historical Society on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Beltrami County History Center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
The Beltrami County Historical Society, in partnership with the Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society, held a dedication ceremony for a Great Northern Railway caboose during a Train Days event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the history center.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Madelyn Haasken is the multimedia editor at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a 2020 graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communication, with minors in writing and design. In her free time, she likes watching hockey, doing crossword puzzles and being outside.
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