Little River Railroad (Michigan) Explained

The Little River Railroad is a heritage railroad located in Coldwater, Michigan. The train runs to Quincy, Michigan and occasionally Hillsdale, Michigan.

It is dedicated to the restoration and operation of historic railroad equipment such as steam locomotives. The railroad began operations in 1975.

The railroad operates passenger train excursions from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in October with eight Christmas excursions in December, along parts of the former Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, later New York Central, now owned by the Indiana Northeastern Railroad section named "The Old Road."

Locomotives

ImageNumberBuilderTypeBuild DateNotes
1Vulcan Iron Works0-4-0Tc.1908Likely built from parts of many locomotives. Ex LaPorte County Steam Historical Society
110Baldwin Locomotive Works4-6-21911Smallest standard gauge 4-6-2 locomotive ever built. Ex Smoky Mountain Railroad Exx Little River Railroad. This locomotive also has the consecutive builders plate number to Southern Railway 4501. This means both locomotives were built on the same floor at the same time during construction. [1]
Source[2]

Rolling Stock

ImageNumberOriginal OwnerTypeBuild DateNotes
605Milwaukee RoadCoach1946Retained Milwaukee Road Paint Scheme until 2014, when it was painted dark green to match the "Solomon" Observation Car.
633Milwaukee RoadCoach1947Retained Milwaukee Road Paint Scheme until 2014, when it was painted dark green to match the "Solomon" Observation Car.
1414UnknownObservationUnknownNamed "The Solomon". Built by Barney and Smith Car Company.
2594Chicago and Alton RailroadCombine1925Named "Chester R. Bloom". Built by the Pullman Company
5205United States ArmyWWII Troop Sleeper1946Used to transport troops after WWII. Built by the Pullman Company. Interior refit with seating for passengers facing towards the windows. A small snack bar has also been installed to serve refreshments to passengers during the round trip excursions.
2623Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh RailwayCabooseOctober 1923one of three operational from a batch of 50. Fitted with current Little River Railroad Logo.
2630Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh RailwayCabooseOctober 1923one of three operational from a batch of 50. Fitted with current Little River Railroad Logo.
82990Northern Pacific RailroadStock Car1933The stock cars have wooden walkway connecting the two stock cars to each other. Outward facing benches were installed when the stock cars entered passenger excursion service.
83022Northern Pacific RailroadStock Car1933The stock cars have wooden walkway connecting the two stock cars to each other. Outward facing benches were installed when the stock cars entered passenger excursion service.
Source[3]

See also

References

  1. live. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6qn8UadC9PA. 2021-12-11. Pure Michigan Steam: Little River Railroad . YouTube.
  2. Web site: Little River Railroad.
  3. Web site: Little River Railroad.

External links