The engine is displayed year-round & is open for tours weekends, May 16 - Oct. 17 2026, 1PM-4PM.*
*Subject to weather & volunteer staffing Our Story
Friends of the 457, a volunteer committee of citizens concerned for the preservation of the Minneapolis & St Louis locomotive #457, sponsor numerous events throughout the year to highlight the historical importance and relevance of the 457 in the li
fe of Mason City and region. The Cannonball Day page reflects and promotes these activities to engender public support and funding. Over time, hundreds of volunteers have assisted. The website at www.friendsofthe457.org, and the page "Friends of the 457" offer further insight into the nature and activities of the committee. Volunteers comprise the heart and soul of Cannonball Day, the successful preservation of the locomotive, the Cannonball Gardens, and the spirit of dedication to the “children” of Mason City and surrounding areas, as noted on the dedicatory plaque from 1959. Contact us through the page on our website at http://www.friendsofthe457.org/pview.aspx?id=173&catid=6
