We’ve been workin’ on the railroad! Maybe not all the live-long day, but our volunteers are always busy with something! Check out the latest updates about everything our volunteers have been working on below.
- Do you want to help with projects like these? Consider becoming a member of the society and volunteering with us! Visit our Membership page for details about getting involved.
- You can also support these projects with a monetary donation – visit our Donate page for more information.
- These projects all require supplies and tools to make them happen. Visit our Wish List page for some ideas of the tools and materials we could use to continue these great projects.
Project Update: Clark Street Crossing Rebuild
What a busy spring! Our volunteers have been hard at work over the last few months to prepare for and execute the rebuilding of our Clark Street crossing in Clinton. This 3-track crossing was a huge undertaking, but we could not be happier with the end results! With the village repaving the entire street, we stepped in to rebuild the railroad tracks and ensure this crossing will last for years to come. We’d like to thank The Village Of Clinton MI for their support and partnership throughout this project! We appreciate your patience as we continue to tackle large projects
Project Update: Office Receives New Carpet
We are ecstatic with the new carpet in our gift shop! The original carpet was stained from many years of office use and the underlaying layers of floor were no better. Our volunteers tore out all the old carpet and we had new carpet tiles installed. This new floor will be easier to clean and replace (if needed) and really breathes a new life into our gift shop and board room! Check it out on your next visit!
New Acquisition: Brush Cutter
This past week we received our new (to us) brush cutter! This Kershaw 32-8 brush cutter was built for Norfolk Southern. It has a 270 horsepower 6V-71T Detroit Diesel and we cannot wait to hear it come to life. The machine weighs 24 tons, has two 10-foot cutting heads, and can reach 30 feet out on either side of the track. With this acquisition, our volunteers will have a much easier time keeping up with the vegetation along our railroad line. We’d like to thank DC Tunison Specialized Transportation for moving this piece of equipment from New York and the
Project Update: DWP #53101 Hits the Rails!
After some minor work by our volunteers to clean the car and reinstall the steps that were temporarily removed to allow the car to be transported over the road, this caboose is now in service! Passengers can book this car as a private caboose experience seating up to 10 passengers – perfect for families or groups of friends that want a more private ride on the rails! This caboose will eventually be restored to it’s original appearance of blue and orange, but for now it will do just fine to increase our capacity and offer yet another unique way to
Project Update: 5 Pieces of Equipment Moved
It has been a crazy last few weeks as we have moved FIVE pieces of equipment to our main trackage! In 2023, we announced that the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust awarded $10,000 toward the relocation of our Pullman sleeper Emerald Vale. This past Saturday, we brought the Emerald Vale to our main track for the first time in our 39 year ownership of the car. The car was unloaded in Tecumseh and arrived in Clinton by rail later that evening, an arrival that was long overdue. We plan to restore this car for use in our passenger train.