COLDWATER, MI
Little River Railroad
4.5· 258 Google reviews
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationCOLDWATER, MI
- Rating4.5 ★258 Google reviews
- UpcomingSun, Sep 20
About Little River Railroad
Steam Train Rides - The Little River Railroad is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and operation of historic railroad equipment.
Upcoming Events
Plan Your Visit
- Trip Length4-hour excursion
- ParkingFree lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
Find the Depot
The Trains
Star of the roster is No. 110, a 4-6-2 Pacific built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in November 1911 for the Little River Lumber Company of Townsend, Tennessee, where it spent twenty-eight years hauling logging and passenger trains. It later moved freight for the Smoky Mountain Railroad out of Knoxville, sat abandoned on a siding for years after that line's demise, and was rescued after Terry Bloom spotted the derelict engine in 1968 and bought it for $3,100. Restored to service in 1976, No. 110 has hauled Coldwater excursions ever since, completing a Federal Railroad Administration 1,472-day overhaul in late 2020; the railroad also fields locomotive No. 1, which has joined No. 110 on doubleheader specials.
History
See full history
The Little River Railroad was organized in 1975, taking its name from the original Little River Railroad and Lumber Company of Townsend, Tennessee — the logging operation whose locomotive No. 110 it now runs. Based in Coldwater, Michigan, the heritage railroad operates most excursions to the village of Quincy, where passengers can step off and enjoy the park while the locomotive runs around the train for the return trip, with occasional longer runs to Hillsdale. Track conditions between Coldwater and Quincy have improved drastically over the years, smoothing the ride past landmarks like the I-69 overpass, two Sauk Creek bridges, and a U.S. Highway 12 grade crossing. In 2023 the railroad opened the Trainwreck Grill & Ale House across from its depot; on April 24, 2024 it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a doubleheader pulling every passenger car on the roster; and in July 2025 it marked 20 years of operating out of Coldwater.
Around the Depot
Coldwater, the Branch County seat in south-central Michigan, is a lakes town: the Coldwater River flows in from Coldwater Lake to the south, and the Coldwater chain of lakes feeds a series of shallow, connected lakes on the city's west side. First settled around 1830 by arrivals from New York and New England, incorporated as a city in 1861, today's Coldwater is a community of about 13,800 — and the jumping-off point for steam excursions east to the village of Quincy.
Lanphere-Pratt HouseAttraction·★ 4.3 (3)4 min walkDirections →Coldwater Parks DepartmentPark·★ 4.2 (5)6 min walkDirections →
Tibbits Opera HouseAttraction·★ 4.7 (378)8 min walkDirections →Custom Crafting Your Ideas LLCGift Shop·★ 5 (4)8 min walkDirections →4 Corners Camera DowntownAttraction·★ 4.7 (3)8 min walkDirections →Kiess JewelryGift Shop·★ 4.9 (324)9 min walkDirections →Veteran's Memorial ParkPark·★ 5 (1)9 min walkDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Coldwater
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little River Railroad located?
COLDWATER, MI 49036
How do I get tickets to Little River Railroad?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://littleriverrailroad.com/.
When is the next event at Little River Railroad?
The next scheduled event is "Hillsdale Flyer" on Sunday, September 20, 2026. See the full upcoming-events list on this page.