DonShankalwayssaid,‘There’dbea RailroadMuseuminDuluth’

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It didn’t hurt that he wastalland charismatic. Don Shankwas the kind of man that if he told youintwo years and aday from now you’d be working in Pittsburghfor U.S. Steel youshould be packed and ready to go.Hewas that kind of person. Don didn’tthink about next weekorthe endofthe month, he planned foryears,and as it turns out, decades ahead.

He along with LeoMcDonnell, FrankKing, Wayne Olsonand Shirley Swain savedthe Northern Pacific’sUnion Depot and established the St. LouisCountyHeritage &ArtsCenter. Support forthe Depot would come frombuilding aworld class Railroad Museum and eventually establishing the North ShoreScenic Railroad, one of Duluth’sbiggest touristattraction. Allwere Shank’svision.

As vice president and general manager of the Duluth Missabe&IronRange Railroad, aU.S. Steelsubsidiary,hehad the resources and contacts to make thathappen. Early members of the Museum’sBoardofDirectorsincluded captains of industry and railroad presidents and vicepresidents of Burlington Northern, Chicago Northwestern, the SOO Lineand the EL&S.

When the Lakefront lineopened forbusiness therewereseveral contractors who applied to run it.The RRAchose Shank’sDuluth &IronRange Companyasthe first operator.Train service started on June29, 1990 with the BUDDRDC car purchased fromthe Blue Mountain and Reading Railway,#9169, the same unitstillinservice today. Other equipment came fromthe Lake Superior Railroad Museum.First year ridership beat expectations at 37,000 guest/passengers.

Healthissues forced Shank to giveupthe operation afterjust one season. He passed away in 1993. Hislegacy is his family, his wife Millie left us in 2009, the Duluth Depot and Train Museum along with 29 miles of working railroad on the scenicNorthShore of the greatestofthe great lakes.

Don Shankalwayssaid there’d be aRailroad Museum in Duluth.

ByJoshMiller

The railroads have a long history of delivering a first-class experience for their passengers. Throughout the generations, guests have been treated to fine dining, deluxe sleeping accommodations, and exquisite service. At the North Shore Scenic Railroad, I’m proud that we can offer at least a small taste of this legacy from the golden-age, first class experiences.

We are excited to be offering first class services on our daily trains starting this summer. This includes ourDomeCarseating,loungespace, and some extra service options for those interested in paying just a little more for a unique experience. Later in August, guests can ride “first class” on the evening train and have a fine dining four-course meal prepared by the best chefs Duluth has to offer. The Elegant Dinner Train runs Fridays and Saturdays