Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum (LSRM) is located in the Historic Duluth Union Depot. The museum claims to house “the finest collection of Railroad Equipment in the country.” I haven’t visited every railroad museum in the country, but I’ve visited quite a few, and this is the best one I’ve seen. According to the LSRM webpage, the museum began as a local project in 1973 and has grown into one of the largest and most respected railway museums in the US. The museum focuses on railroading in the Lake Superior region.

I could tell you a little bit more about the museum, but I’ll stop with this: if you are ever in Duluth, Minnesota, plan on spending a couple hours in at LSRM.

Now, if you didn’t skip to the participant galleries at the first instance of “railroad,” then you’re probably here for the trains. Let’s do that.

I have included my observations, impressions and some facts in the captions. To read the full captions, click on any picture in the gallery to enter the slide show. The captions may not be fully visible. If you’re interested, click on the little ‘i’ in a circle. I believe, once you click on that, the captions will stay visible throughout the show.

Thank you for visiting. If you contributed links to your doors, thank you for participating.

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156 responses to “Lake Superior Railroad Museum”

  1. These are great pictures, Dan. I am quite a fan of museums about trains, planes and automobiles. I enjoyed this history of the museum and I’m glad it has become such a success story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Robbie. These trains played such an important role in the growth of this country. It was good to see them preserved where they worked during most of their “career.”

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Americaoncoffee Avatar
    Americaoncoffee

    What an enjoyable exhibit. I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Wonderful place and photos, Dan.
    Here is mine:

    Thursday Doors – Burns Monument

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sofia. Your post takes me back to my poetry course in college.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. theartblogger54 Avatar
    theartblogger54

    All lovingly restored and maintained. Takes a lot of work – and money of course – but money well spent in this case I think.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Money, time and volunteers performing a labor of love.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. theartblogger54 Avatar
        theartblogger54

        One of my neighbours is a volunteer with our local heritage railway. He’s in his 80’s but still gives talks to parties of school kids about how it was back in the day. He told me today that they want to record his talks so that there will always be that direct historical link to a first hand account.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That’s a wonderful idea.

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Ooh, loving all the train pics! And that steam funnel on the Minnetonka is HUGE! :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I learned that the large funnels were required on wood burning locomotives. Coal burning locos had the smaller ones. I’m glad you liked these, Ruth.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I love gathering up those little snippets of ‘useless’ information, you never know when you might need to know that very fact!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. theartblogger54 Avatar
        theartblogger54

        I often wondered why American trains had larger funnels. So now I know!😎

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Apparently, wood sends out a log of sparks. They would set fire to hay which the railroad would have to pay for. The lager funnel allowed them to install spark arrestors.

          Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing such wonderful images.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. […] will find more doors on Dan’s site, No Facilities https://nofacilities.com/2021/10/07/lake-superior-railroad-museum/ he is featuring trains today for all you Train buffs. But, remember there is more, you will find […]

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    1. I had to check this out, Dan, because I know how much you love trains. I’m glad you were able to go through this museum and be in your glory. Nice trsins, nice doors!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks Mary. I am so glad we were able to tour the museum.

        Like

  7. Good morning all, Dan you’ve found one of my sweet spots… =^_^=.. great post.. here is the link to minehttps://dymoonblog.com/2021/10/07/thursday-doors-68/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like the trains. I enjoyed your post, too. But, I’m glad that isn’t my car ;-)

      Like

  8. What beautifully restored pieces of history these trains are. This is quite a railroad museum. I don’t know how you pulled yourself away from it. Back in the 1800’s, I can’t imagine how women, with their long and bulky dresses, ever managed to maneuver down an aisle of a train!

    Thanks for sharing.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember the docent at a trolley museum explaining how the height of the stairs made it hard for women not to reveal their ankles, which was frowned upon. You guys have had a tough time with changing fashions over time.

      I’m glad you like the trains, Ginger.

      Like

  9. […] I’m afraid that the time we spent was not adequate. Still, I must make special mention of the doors in this palace. Fantastically decorated doors are a specialty around the Indian Ocean, from Kerala […]

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  10. Beautifully preserved. Duluth goes into my bucket list. The history of engineering is full of beautiful artifacts.

    The palace of illusions

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am so glad we went to visit this city. I was surprised at all there was to see.

      I enjoyed the tour of the palace. Great doors, wonderful history.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Brilliant and pure history that played an important role in the country. Nowadays its “easy” to design high speed technology trains, with a big help of pc programs of course. Or lets say, easier than 100-150 years. Thanks for sharing this history Dan.

    I am playing too this week: https://www.ostendnomadography.com/2021/10/07/thursday-doors-belgrade/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The relation between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Duluth is interesting, A steel town, building a locomotive to help move iron ore to the lake for shipment. I’m glad you enjoyed this.

      You had quite the complicated journey to get your photos,

      Liked by 1 person

  12. How wonderful! I’ve always enjoyed train travel and these are real beauties.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I have a few more to share a little later on. I’m glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Choo choo delights! If you come to the UK, you must visit the Railway Museum in York. A solitary door from me this week. https://drprunesquallor279704606.wordpress.com/2021/10/07/thursday-doors-pun/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The only time I visited, I toured the war museum in Duxford with a friend of mine who lives in Ipswich. IF I ever make it back, I will work in a trip to York.

      Thanks for making me smile with your door today.

      Like

  14. Fantastic, Dan! Have you ever met anyone who didn’t like trains? Like building architecture, I think the old trains have far more character than the new.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think I have, GP. How could you not at least be impressed by these fantastic machines? The old ones are so much more interesting, especially the passenger cars. I have some of those to share when I return to this museum in a week or two. How I would have loved to travel in that era.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. To experience it only once would be a trip of a lifetime!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. […] Stills Photography Challenge Carrot Ranch 99-Word Flash Fiction Challenge Thursday Doors Photography Challenge Becky B’s Square Photography […]

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  16. […] For Thursday Doors challenge hosted by Dan at No Facilities […]

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  17. You have presented this museum well. I’m glad you got to see it and ‘d love to visit it too. I love the last two photos and the name Minnetonka. It sounds Slovenian.

    Here is another kind of presentation with a new door capture mode:

    Thursday Doors 7/10/21: Doors for lunch

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think it’s a native American name. From the history site, “The land that would come to be known as Minnetonka was sacred ground for Native Americans. The dense woods and open prairies made for good hunting, while Lake Minnetonka provided excellent fishing. The Dakotah Sioux and Ojibway Chippewa would cross through Minnetonka as they traveled”

      Also from that site, “Early settlers came to Minnetonka primarily from New England and other states east of Minnesota, from northern Europe and the British Isles, and from the Czech Republic.”

      It’s a fine locomotive, though.

      I enjoyed visiting with you today (although I’m hungry).

      Liked by 1 person

  18. […] are some of the outdoor benches and doors that can be found in the Chateau d’Amboise in […]

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    1. Thanks Teresa – I loved walking with you, too. That castle looks like a great place to explore.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You will love it and you will like the history of it too. I

        Liked by 1 person

  19. What great photos, Dan. I’ve visited several railroad museums but not this one. I love the stories that are evoked walking through/by the cars. The romance, the intrigue, the century itself. Thank you for sharing. Loved it! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Gwen. I think it must have been a wonderful time to travel. To be on one of these trains, enjoying meals in the opulent dining cars. One of the displays is china place settings from all the various railroads that came to Union Station. Imagine – dinner served on china while you’re traveling – how not anything like our travel experience today.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. We have a couple of towns nearby that have train museums, but not like this! These are so well-restored, Dan. The William Crooks is a beauty. Minnetonka…I wear their slippers!! I wonder if the train Minnetonka is somehow related to the shoe Minnetonka.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The locomotive was named after the town in which the slippers are made. In my reply to Manja, I included this from the town’s history site – “The land that would come to be known as Minnetonka was sacred ground for Native Americans…”

      I’ve never been to such a large and elaborate railroad museum (although I love them all).

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I just went back and read your response to Manja. So interesting. I really do appreciate the deep dive you do into the history of things, Dan.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. What a wonderful museum! My father worked for the C&O/B&O Railroad, and we could ride coach free back in those days, so I took many a train back then. Also I lived 3 houses away from the railroad tracks as a young child, and spent many hours watching trains go by. I still prefer a train to flying today. (K)

    Here’s my door this week:

    Autumn door and more

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It must have been so much fun riding the trains. I take the train anytime I can. I prefer it to any other travel.

      You have us wondering what will emerge behind that door.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I took a close look today, but there’s just boxes inside. It looks like a vestibule though, as there are glass doors at the far end. But where could it go?

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Another wonderful post and definitely one for the railway enthusiasts. I am always amazed at how different the designs are between European and North American steam locomotives, each are instantly recognisable.

    Very short one from me this week: https://scooj.org/2021/10/07/thursday-doors-7-october-2021/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The two steam locomotives featured here were wood-burners. Coal would have had to be brought in, as there are no deposits in Minnesota. But there was abundant forest land.

      Your short post is very much worth a look.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Beautiful photos of those old trains.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Frank. I’m glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. […] Old military testing ground doors at Sandy Hook, New Jersey.For Thursday Doors October 7, 2021. […]

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  25. Nice choice Dan. I love trains. I rode on them and slept on them as a little girl in the US and in GB.

    Doors at Sandy Hook

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love trains, Sherry. I watched them but I never rode in one until I was 20. I still found it fascinating.

      Like

  26. Ah, just look at them, shiny and sparkling, excited to have visitors – again!
    We love trains such a lot.
    These pictures were a treat, Dan :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like them,Pat. This was such a fun place to visit.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can imagine.
        When I was a young and happy child my dad had this gigantic board (2m x 2m) with model trains, railroads, and a village too. The engines chased all around the tracks and, through a haze, I almost think they ran on tiny coals. The trees were always green and had a spongy texture to their canopy… An enchanting world :)

        Yes, trains are special. Besides, we only get to ride in one when we visit Romania.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I love model trains, too.

          Liked by 1 person

  27. […] has some wonderful photographs of a beautiful railway museum over on his blog this week. My next Thursday Doors of our September weekend will continue with a tour of Trim town, hope to […]

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  28. I love this one, Dan. What an amazing railway museum, it makes our one here look so tiny. I could spend the whole day there, never mind a couple of hours. Lovely photos, those engines have been so well preserved. My blog has a bit of a vintage feel to it, too, this week. https://jeanreinhardt.wordpress.com/2021/10/07/thursday-doors-september-weekend/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jean. It’s the best one I’ve ever been to. I’ll have a couple more to share in a week or two. Depends on how the research goes.

      I like your retro doors.

      Like

      1. Looking forward to more of your photos.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. I do love old trains! There is a mystery, a romantic history to them. They have a story to tell.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree. I wish I knew all those deities, Pam.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Now THIS is a museum! The black and has all the bells and whistles -very beautiful. I wonder if in that time, one needed a certain wealth to travel – I can”t imagine blue collar workers were able to do this, or? Oh, before I forget, my doors.
    https://livingbetweentworealms.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/dans-thursday-doors

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you didn’t forget those.

      These trains were amazing. They’ve done such a good job with the restorations.

      Like

  31. Wow! This looks like quite a trip. Now I wanna go. I think there is one around here somewhere too.
    Great shots!!

    Pat

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was so much fun walking around and inside those trains. There’s one near Danbury, CT that I keep meaning to visit.

      Like

      1. That’s a shorter run. I’ll put Danbury on my list too.

        Pat

        Liked by 1 person

  32. I love the old Minnetoka. I’ve seen one before but don’t ask me where!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s my favorite. I like that it was built in my home town.

      Like

  33. These are great photos, I can see why you enjoyed it.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. […] Here is my entry for Dan at No Facilities blog Thursday Door Challenge. […]

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  35. Oh Dan, I so adore trains old and new. I adore this post.
    Here are my vintage train doors.

    Thursday Door: Vintage Train Doors

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for joining us, Cee and thanks for bringing more trains :)

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Great locomotives and so clean. Love the name Minnetonka too.

    Thursday Doors 07 10 21

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They have done a wonderful job of restoration, and since the bulk of the museum is indoors, everything is protected.

      I love the doors and gates you brought today.

      Like

  37. Cool photos!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like them Cheryl.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Fabu8lous post, Dan. Love those trains.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This was such a fun visit, John. I have more, but I’m doing some research on one very interesting locomotive.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. […] Thursday Doors this week, I’m heading back to Edinburgh, Scotland. Miss M and I visited Holyrood Palace. I […]

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  40. What a glorious museum that must be! It’s a pity it’s so far from us now. But at least I got to see your photos. Nice to be back.

    There can be only one

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was amazing, Janet. I’m so glad we went for a visit.

      You have the cutest door of the week :)

      Liked by 1 person

  41. I wish I’d known about this museum when I visited Duluth. Looks wonderful! I’ll be visiting our train museum here in Durango sometime soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If you ever go back, it’s worth the time.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Hi Dan – it all looks fascinating and I can see why you’d like to revisit and spend a bit more time … as I would too – even though I might not understand much. Loved all the photos and history etc … cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Some of it is hard to understand without research into the era, Hilary but these machines are amazing. To look at the locomotives and realize that every widget and gizmo had a purpose. I find it fascinating. The passenger cars are equally amazing.

      Like

  43. There are times I’m reduced to one syllable, and this is one of those times: WOW. That RR crossing sign sure brought back memories; they were all over the place where I grew up. Of course I never saw any locomotives as wonderful as these, but I remember the awe as these behemoths shook the ground. It must have been amazing to walk around in such a museum — what a history book. Thanks for taking us along!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t remember trains like this, Maureen but I remember sitting at grade-level crossings and counting the cars as th trains rumbled by. I always enjoyed watching them. My cousins and I would run to an overpass when we heard a train to watch as it rolled on below us.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We got to run to the underpass and hear them roar OVER us! Either way, just as awesome. I too remember counting cars, and also jumping the spaces between their shadows — our calisthenics while waiting for the school bus in the mornings!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Haha! The things kids did before they had phones.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Thanks for the laugh!

            Liked by 1 person

  44. ChooChoo! Trains make me smile! What a great visit and excellent doors. The yellow caboose car seems unique, maybe the stripes?

    Thursday Newport Doors, part trois

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wish I knew more about that car. I do like it.

      I enjoyed looking at the doors you brought us from Newport. These “normal” doors are quite lovely.

      Like

      1. Even on a cloudy day these doors speak. Thx Dan!

        Liked by 1 person

  45. […] is my last donation for Thursday Doors this week. Thanks for your time and I hope you’ll spare some for Dan over at No Facilities where he’ll be happy to show you where to find more fabulous doors! Have a wonderful […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Another nice collection of barns, silos and fences. I never get tired of seeing them.

      Like

  46. That would be a great way to spend a couple hours for sure! Nice post :)

    Liked by 1 person

  47. Wow, Dan — this is stunning. I love all the photos. I only have one question… Are you going to move there? :) Can you imagine being an onsite, live-in caretaker for a place like that. How awesome would that be. Hugs on the wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha – I am not going to move to Duluth, Teagan (although it would cool to volunteer at that museum). I am still doing some research on a couple assets in the collection, but there will be another post.

      Liked by 1 person

  48. Geeze Dan. I’m so late to the event I need a passport to get to the bottom of the comments. 🤭 You know I love a good railroad museum and this one looks great. Hat a terrific excursion. 👏🏻👏🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was fun and interesting, Cheryl. Thanks for stopping by. It’s never too late.

      Like

  49. TRAINS! Love it. Reminds me of trips to the Smithsonian when I was a kid.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. In all my trips to DC, Paul, I never made it over there. I need to return as a tourist.

      Liked by 1 person

  50. A very steam punk sort of post. I love the one with the gears with the bright red circular part. Love the contrast. Here is my entry: https://judydykstrabrown.com/2021/10/08/closed-door-open-door-thursday-doors-oct-7-2021/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! The crane (wrecker) was my favorite. It doesn’t have much of a door, but…

      Like

      1. Possibly for the same reason? The contrast between the bright yellow hook and the black machinery behind it?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It is s nice color combo ;-)

          Like

  51. I am late, Dan. But, better late than never and you don’t need to add me to the round up this week: https://robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com/2021/10/09/thursday-doors-delta-park/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Always better late than never, Robbie. I haven’t gathered the links yet, so this will get in. And a good one, too!

      Liked by 1 person

  52. I love working class doors, especially pretty ones like these — and skinny ones, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. These were amazing machines and spaces.

      Liked by 1 person

  53. Oh, I could spend more than a day in this museum. I am so impressed with the restoration of all of these train cars, engines and of course the wrecker…..great post Dan…Thank you for sharing this!! Oh, yeah….great doors:) I got so caught up in the restoration of all this, but I didn’t forget the doors!! Great captures!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Kirt – that’s how I felt as I was walking through. The quality of the restorations is remarkable.

      Liked by 1 person

  54. What a wonderful post, Dan! If I ever get to Duluth, this museum will be high on my list. You know how much I love trains. My children’s book is about a train, a boy, and a dog. Hopefully an agent will like it. Isn’t it wonderful that these trains have been preserved?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. These were some of the finest examples of restoration I’ve ever seen, Jennie. They’re all indoors, so nice, clean and dry.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Wow! Coming from you, those praises are huge!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. The place is amazing. I have more coming up, this week or next.

          Liked by 1 person

  55. Wow, love the trains. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

  56. Dan – I would definitely visit this museum if in that area – trains have such a special part of the past (and still go now but not like the prime years which your photos captured for us!) 🚂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You would definitely enjoy that visit.

      Liked by 2 people

  57. Ps – might not matter – typo – ate for “at”?
    –here:
    galleries ate the first instance

    Like

  58. […] October 11, 2021 Written by onemillionphotographs Thursday Doors in Girwood, Alaska […]

    Liked by 1 person

  59. This is so cool. I didn’t know they used cranes back then.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Small by today’s standards, but impressive.

      Liked by 3 people

  60. Gorgeous train shots! I’ve never been to Duluth. If I have reason to go, I will totally go see the LSRM :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You would enjoy a visit. Duluth was a much more interesting city than I imagined. We might go back. Its nice to get away with my brother for a few days.

      Liked by 1 person

  61. Went down a rabbit hole and found you at the bottom. Seems I was meant to find your blog. I like doors too, but like trains even more. Check out my view of Tehachapi Live Trains at West Cable on YouTube — The camera at West Cable is camera #1, Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum is camera #2, The Tehachapi Loop is camera #3, and the most recent camera is on Edison Hwy. by the Guimarra Winery. All four cameras are 24/7/365 and are a direct feed to YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6RIkXobtXWJElbwEHIC-sg My blog is at tehachap.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. BTW, you can check out our personal railroad on FaceBook — Sunset Pacific Ry.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I will try to check them out.

      Like

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