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Coldwater, MI

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Little River Railroad

4.5· 258 Google reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Source checked 2026-08-14
  • TypeVolunteer-run nonprofit steam excursions from Coldwater to Quincy, with occasional longer trips to Hillsdale
  • LocationColdwater, MI
  • Rating4.5 ★258 Google reviews
  • UpcomingSun, Sep 27

About Little River Railroad

Little River Railroad is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to restoring, operating, and preserving historic railroad equipment. Public excursions leave the historic rail site at 29 W Park Avenue in Coldwater and normally travel east to Quincy, where riders receive a short park layover while the locomotive moves to the other end of the train. The operator describes a typical trip as about 1.5 hours, while its published Easter and pumpkin products are about 1.75 hours and the Hillsdale Flyer is a four-hour excursion. Steam locomotive No. 110 is the signature engine, with tank locomotive No. 1 as backup, but historic equipment and operating conditions make a specific assignment something to confirm rather than assume. The cars are not air-conditioned, heating is limited by the antique equipment, and the official site asks everyone to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Start with the exact dated product, then match the clothing, food plan, mobility arrangements, and Quincy or Hillsdale expectations to that ticket.

📍 29 W Park Avenue, Coldwater, MI 49036📞 260-316-0529

Choose the Trip Before You Choose the Day

Choose the visit that fits your group

Families, first-time riders, steam fans, photographers, and visitors wanting the core Little River experience

Ride the regular train to Quincy

Choose the standard countryside round trip, use the short Quincy stop to watch the locomotive runaround, and be back aboard when the crew calls.

Rail enthusiasts, repeat riders, older children, photographers, and visitors seeking the longest current itinerary

Commit to the Hillsdale Flyer

Treat the published four-hour Hillsdale trip as a different excursion with its own departure time, food needs, and endurance requirements.

Families, multigenerational groups, fall travelers, and visitors who can arrive early for a popular seasonal ride

Build a fall day around the Pumpkin Train

Use one of the five published fall dates for a 1 p.m. Quincy trip, then leave room for the separately purchased pumpkin and current weather conditions.

Parents, first-time riders, accessibility planners, and anyone deciding what is realistic during the layover

Understand the Quincy turnaround

Open the Village Park guide before the ride so the short layover, facilities, playground, railroad boundary, and return deadline are clear.

Couples, history travelers, theatre visitors, independent-business shoppers, and weekend guests

Add a walkable Coldwater experience

Pair the train with the historic downtown district or a ticketed performance at Tibbits instead of defaulting to generic roadside stops.

Plan Your Visit

  • SeasonSelect public dates from spring through December rather than daily service. The official 2026 schedule is the release authority, and dates or times may change
  • ArriveArrive at least 30 minutes before departure even with advance tickets. The railroad says it will not hold the train for late passengers
  • AccessibilityThe operator describes the train as generally accessible with limitations. When offered, select accessible coach No. 5205 and contact the railroad before booking or travel to discuss assistance
  • RestroomsThe official FAQ says restrooms are available on the train and in the station. Historic-car dimensions and the accessible coach assignment should be confirmed directly
  • DepartureAll published public rides in the current schedule board at 29 W Park Avenue, Coldwater. The regular destination is Quincy; selected Hillsdale Flyer dates use a much longer itinerary
  • Regular TripExpect about 1.5 hours for a normal round trip. The operator describes a roughly 30-minute Quincy layover; some special products publish about 1.75 hours
  • Hillsdale TripThe September 20 Hillsdale Flyer is published as a four-hour excursion with a 10 a.m. departure. Do not apply the regular Quincy duration or layover plan
  • TicketsAdvance purchase is highly recommended. The ticket office opens two hours before a scheduled departure, and same-day station sales are offered when space remains
  • RefundsTickets are nonrefundable. An exchange to an equal-price trip in the same operating year may be possible when inventory exists, but the operator does not guarantee the requested date
  • ClimatePassenger cars are not air-conditioned. Heating is provided only to the best of the railroad's ability, so dress for the forecast and the season
  • Food And LayoverThe regular Quincy stop is short and is used for the locomotive runaround. Carry what you need, listen for the return call, and do not build a restaurant meal into a 30-minute stop
  • ContactFor simple questions, the operator publishes 260-316-0529 as a text number and customerservice@littleriverrailroad.com as its email contact

Find the Depot

Address

29 W Park Avenue, Coldwater, MI 49036

Get directions →

The Trains

The public identity centers on two working steam locomotives. Baldwin built standard-gauge 4-6-2 No. 110 in 1911 for the original Little River Railroad in Tennessee; the Townsend museum describes it as the smallest standard-gauge Pacific built in the United States. The Coldwater operator's locomotive page identifies No. 1 as a 0-4-0T with frame and wheels dating to 1908. It was purchased from the LaPorte County Steam Historical Society in 2000, returned to service in 2004 after a three-year restoration, and serves as backup to No. 110. Passenger equipment is historic and varies. The 2026 schedule specifically identifies car No. 5205 as the accessible coach when available, while the official FAQ confirms onboard restrooms, no air conditioning, and limited heating. Gallery dates and captions are explicit so a 2008 or 2019 photograph is not mistaken for a current consist or locomotive guarantee.

History

1883

The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern passenger depot now associated with the Coldwater rail site was built within today's South Monroe Street Historic District.

1908

The operator dates the frame and wheels of tank locomotive No. 1 to 1908, while noting that its full construction history remains uncertain.

1911

Baldwin built 4-6-2 No. 110 for the original Little River Railroad in Tennessee.

1939

No. 110 hauled the original Little River operation's last log to the Townsend sawmill, according to the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum.

2000

The Coldwater organization acquired No. 1 from the LaPorte County Steam Historical Society and began its restoration.

2004

No. 1 made its first run in more than 35 years and entered service as a backup steam locomotive.

See full history

Coldwater's passenger operation links two separate railroad stories. The departure site includes the community's nineteenth-century rail heritage: the former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern passenger depot dates to 1883 and stands within the South Monroe Street Historic District. The working steam collection reaches back to industry and logging. Little River No. 110 was built by Baldwin in 1911 for Colonel W. B. Townsend's Tennessee railroad, where the Townsend museum says it hauled the last log to the mill in 1939 after also carrying passengers and vacationers. Tank engine No. 1 has running gear dating to 1908 and returned to service in 2004 after restoration. Today's Little River Railroad is a nonprofit staffed by volunteers and supported by ticket, concession, membership, and donation revenue. It preserves that equipment by operating real public excursions over the present-day route from Coldwater to Quincy and, on selected dates, Hillsdale.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Little River Railroad ride?

A normal Coldwater–Quincy round trip is described as about 1.5 hours, while some special products publish about 1.75 hours. The Hillsdale Flyer is a separate four-hour excursion.

Where does the train leave from?

Current public rides board at 29 W Park Avenue in Coldwater, Michigan. Arrive at least 30 minutes early and follow the exact dated ticket.

Is the train wheelchair accessible?

The operator says the train is generally accessible with limitations. Select accessible coach No. 5205 when it is offered and contact the railroad before travel to confirm assistance and the available setup.

Are there restrooms and air conditioning?

The official FAQ says restrooms are available at the station and on the train. The historic cars are not air-conditioned, and heating is limited, so dress for the weather.

Can I get a ticket refund?

Tickets are nonrefundable. The railroad may exchange a ticket for an equal-price trip in the same operating year if inventory is available, but it does not guarantee the requested date.

What can I do during the Quincy layover?

Expect roughly 30 minutes on a regular trip. Use the park facilities, watch the locomotive change ends from a safe public area, listen for crew instructions, and do not attempt a sit-down meal.

Sources & Verification

Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.

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