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ABERDEEN ALL ABOARD! Railroad Hub of the Dakotas
Railroad Exhibit Remodel Project
Completion Target: Summer 2026
(Pictured, our museum friend Nolan who would like to see more trains!)
Click HERE to donate!
Introduction
The little engine that could…until it couldn’t.
Our small model railroad diorama has delighted visitors of all ages, but its tight circular track and limited space cause long-term wear on engines and limit what we can showcase.
A bigger, historically accurate platform is needed to preserve the trains and tell Aberdeen’s story more fully.
Aberdeen: A Railroad Town
- Known as The Hub City
- At its peak: 9 railroad lines, 4 active depots
- Vibrant, daily rail activity continues today
- Train horns & crossing signals remain part of everyday life
The Vision
With help from the James Valley Model Railroad Association, the DPM team is designing an expanded display:
- From a 3’x3’ table → to a large, dynamic diorama
- Set in 1911, the year the CMSP depot was built
- Includes the trolley system that ran from NNIS to Wylie Park
- Depicts bustling Main Street with:
- Early automobiles
- Pedestrians
- Bicycles
- Horse-drawn wagons
Why the Exhibit Matters
- Preserves important Aberdeen history
- Brings the boom years of the railroad to life
- Encourages hands-on learning and multi-generational curiosity
- Enhances the “New Dawn on the Prairie” gallery with a thematic, depot-style structure
How You Can Help
Support the “ABERDEEN ALL ABOARD! Railroad Exhibit Remodel Project.”
Your contribution helps fund:
- Track, train cars, and engines
- Diorama scenery and historical building models
- Electrical updates
- Construction materials for the new platform
Every donation brings us closer to an immersive, educational railroad experience.
Click HERE to donate!
Project Timeline
Estimated Completion: Summer 2026
Major Phases:
- Design & Planning
- Platform Construction
- Electrical Installation
- Track & Layout Build
- Diorama Detailing
- Final Testing & Opening
Project Budget
Estimated Cost:
$50,000 – $70,000
Includes materials, electrical systems, engines & rolling stock, and exhibit structure.
Project Goals
- Educate and represent Aberdeen’s railroad history
- Feature the 1911 trolley and railroad system
- Include recognizable historic buildings and homes
- Build a larger, durable train platform with updated electrical systems
- Improve accessibility with child-height benches and viewing features
- Expand vertical viewing space
- Design the exhibit to resemble a depot, fitting seamlessly into the surrounding gallery
Thank You
Thank you for your support!
Your generosity helps keep Aberdeen’s railroad heritage alive for generations to come.
Click HERE to donate!
