The Minnetonka MN Railway Excursion
The Tugboat Scenic Railroad is owned by the family of W.L. Williams, who also owns and operates four other passenger train excursions in Minnesota, Dumpster Mover Bloomington MN including the Yuba Scenic Railroad. The locomotive used for this excursion is a custom design of wood with steel cross beams.
The inaugural passenger operation of the Minnetonka MN Railway is a 12-passenger bi-directional wagon which carry four wheel drive suspension, working brake lights, and small, hand operated hand crank bucket work machinery. Three of the cars are equipped with sliding side door windows, while the other two are open. There is room to walk around in the back of each car, and the two overhead windows make for wonderful views of the area.
The journey begins out of the Midway Airport, where a tour group travels over the Midway Bridge to help one of the riders to shed the attitude. The group will be stopped at the Verdi Golf Course and the Seward Fish Hatchery, to introduce and educate each passenger on the wildlife surrounding the Midway area. It is a great educational experience.
The tour ends at the Minnetonka MN Railroad station, where the passengers board the train, and it pulls away for its start of the ride. The Minnetonka MN Railway locomotive, known as the Tugboat has fourteen caboose seats, each of which can be taken for a different location along the scenic railroad route.
The experience is a truly unique and fun way to enjoy the natural beauty of Minnesota. Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic lunch and choose between sharing the ride or driving, or allowing the tour guide to pick up their place at the station.
During the first portion of the Minnetonka MN Railway trip, the passenger cars make a half-day excursion into the National Wildlife Federation's Natural Heritage Center. They visit the Honey Bee Farm, which supplies honey bees to honey-producing farmers throughout the country. There they learn about honeybees, how honeybees are not only used to make honey, but also produce many other honey-related products.
A collection of artifacts is on display in the Natural Heritage Center, including an illustration of how bees are raised and how bees differ from other insects. The traveler can also take in the Honey Bee House, a recreation of a bee colony. A trip through the Discovery Center displays a variety of statues, artifacts, and video presentations.
The journey continues with a stop in the Park City Natural Area, where the Tugboat enters the No Name Glacier National Park. On this section of the tour, the passenger can see snow-capped mountains, the Flathead River, Flathead Lake, and the Roseau River. There is an opportunity to stop and hike at a trail, and many people choose to camp in the forest for the night, especially during the summer months.
The travelers will also come upon unique landscapes such as the Flathead River Plateau, Wildcat Mountain, and wilderness areas. Along the way, the scenic railway passes through the Bitterroot Valley, Poudre National Forest, and others.
Several of the stations along the way feature a restroom and grill, and the travelers can stop at these stations for lunch or coffee, and then go on to the next station. There are also some locations in the vicinity of the station where camping is allowed, and there are picnic areas at each location. There are also restrooms at each station and a picnic facility for rental. When the Minnetonka MN Railway reaches the Sierra Springs campground, the passengers to spend the night, and leave for the Glacier National Park the next morning. On their way back to the departure area, the steam train visits Yellowstone National Park and Zion National Park. The passengers enjoy the views along the way and stop at the Pioneer Cabin, a recreation of the famous cabin in Minnesota, or the Lookout Mountain Lodge to view the magnificent animals and scenery.
