Hennepin Overland Railway Historical Society

10/22/2026

🏙️ Building the City of St. Anthony!

One of the many exciting projects underway at Hennepin Overland is our City of St. Anthony scene. Here are a few current pictures showing the work in progress!

There’s always something new to see as our layout continues to grow. Come visit us during an open house and see the layout, the detailed scenery, and trains running! 🚂

📅 We're open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00–4:00 PM, with additional special events throughout the year.

See our full calendar at https://hennepinoverland.org/

We hope to see you soon!

10/16/2026

🚂 Take a look at this scene from our Coos Bay Logging Camp!

This is just one of the many detailed scenes you'll discover at Hennepin Overland. And of course, there are trains running, too! 🚂

Come visit us during one of our open houses. We're open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00–4:00 PM, with additional special events throughout the year.

📅 See our full calendar at https://hennepinoverland.org/

We hope to see you soon!

10/09/2026

🚂 A Mixed Freight Rolling Through Hennepin Overland!

Here’s a mixed freight making its way through the layout during one of our open houses! There’s always something interesting to see when the trains are running. 🚂

Come visit us and see the action for yourself! We’re open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00–4:00 PM, with special event dates and our popular Trains After Dark sessions, too!

📅 Check out our full calendar for upcoming events and plan your visit.

🌐 https://hennepinoverland.org/

We look forward to seeing you at Hennepin Overland! 🚂

09/28/2026

🚂 Empty Ore Cars Heading Back for Another Load!

A string of empty ore cars makes its way across the Hennepin Overland layout, heading back to the mines for another fill.

Come see the trains in action at one of our weekend open houses! We’re open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00–4:00 PM, along with special events throughout the season, including Trains After Dark, Youth Days, operating sessions, and more.

📅 Check out our full calendar of upcoming events at hennepinoverland.org.

We hope to see you trackside! 🚂

09/17/2026

Nokomis district update!

The jumble of intricate switches & diamonds is installed. We've had to take a few liberties owing to space but we are still holding to the plan outlined in the video shared a couple months ago.

09/09/2026

🚂🔥 ALL ABOARD! We’re rolling into open house season! 🔥🚂

The trains are running, the layout is alive, and we’re ready for another season of railroad fun at Hennepin Overland!

📅 Every Saturday & Sunday
⏰ 1–4 PM

Plus, we’ve got special events and Trains After Dark sessions throughout the season!

And if you’re lucky… you might just catch a Soo Line freight like this one making its way across the layout. 🚂💨

🎥 Check out the video — then come see the trains for yourself!

👉 See the full open house and special event schedule here:
hennepinoverland.org

Come watch ’em roll! 🚂

08/30/2026

Saturday, September 5 kicks off the open house season at Hennepin Overland!

We’re open Saturdays and Sundays from 1–4 PM, with several special days throughout the season, including Trains After Dark and Youth & Family Days.

Come see the extensive layout work that was done over the summer, and check out all the new additions to the layout!

Our full calendar of open houses and special events is here, and will also on the website. We hope to see you at Hennepin Overland! 🚂

https://hennepinoverland.org/

08/29/2026

Work is ongoing in the new Nokomis area!

Ties are hitting the dirt, spikes are meeting rail and feeders are dropping!

08/07/2026

Work has commenced on the revised Nokomis grain district!

07/22/2026

A little different kind of post than the usual. Four years ago, an enthusiastic group of modelers within the Hennepin Overland org set out to bring a little piece of the local south Minneapolis area into our 1:87 world. Dubbed the 'Nokomis District', this project sought to take influence and inspiration from the grain milling district along Hiawatha Avenue.

By all counts, it has been a success. To the project lead (me, writing this post!), we could have done a little better. Our task this summer is a revision and revitalization of a winning idea.
Where the original Nokomis succeeded, we will build upon. Where the original Nokomis fell short, we will do better. We are therefore thrilled to announce to the many fans, followers & visitors of Hennepin Overland that Nokomis District 2.0 is being constructed over this summer, 2026!
The trackplan, the buildings and the 'feeling' of Nokomis District will capture even more of what makes the real Hiawatha Avenue area world-renowed for industrial railroading.

We, the Nokomis crew, consulted with an outside expert to check and double check our concept and he has delivered quite a video essay on urban industrial railroading in small layout space!

How do you squeeze a massive, high-capacity industrial prototype in...