Photo by Dwight Burdette, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Upcoming Events
About Southern Michigan Railroad Society
A heritage train traverses 13.5 miles of historic track from Clinton through Tecumseh to Lenawee Junction in Michigan, operating May‑October and in December. Passengers ride in a South Shore interurban car, a passenger gondola and one or two cabooses, pulled by a restored GE 44‑ton switcher. The route includes Bridge 15, a Howe deck‑truss bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and offers seasonal “Fall Color” tours and a December “Santa” train.
History
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society originates in 1981 when its predecessor, the “Lenawee Area Railroaders,” began publishing the monthly newsletter *The Cross Tracks*. In 1982 the group incorporated as a nonprofit to purchase and preserve the former New York Central Clinton Branch after learning that Conrail intended to abandon the line. The Society bought the vacant Clinton Engines building at 320 S. Division Street in 1983 and, in July 1984, secured the 13.5‑mile rail corridor from Conrail for $100,000. By 1985 the organization was operating public speeder rides during Clinton’s Fall Festival, expanding to multiple motor‑car trains between Clinton and Tecumseh. A hostile takeover attempt was launched against the Society in September 2009, and in 2013 the group acquired a 22,000‑square‑foot shop in Clinton to serve as its maintenance and restoration facility.
The Trains
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society operates a 13.5‑mile (21.7 km) standard‑gauge line that runs from Clinton, Michigan, through Tecumseh, Michigan, to Lenawee Junction, with regular service between Clinton and Tecumseh and seasonal excursions extending to Raisin Center. Its roster includes the sole General Motors GMDH‑3 diesel‑hydraulic locomotive, a former Western Maryland Railway GE 44‑ton switcher #75 in regular use, the Detroit and Mackinac Railway GE 44‑ton #10 awaiting restoration, two Ann Arbor ALCO RS‑1s (#20 in static display at Shepherd, Michigan, and #21 slated for a 2015 service study), a 1920 Chicago South Shore interurban car (#1), a South Shore passenger car, a pipe‑gondola converted to an open‑air passenger car, New York Central bay‑window caboose #21692, New Haven caboose #C‑626 (formerly repainted as Penn Central #19882), and a former Pullman sleeper “Emerald Vale” now used as a work‑train car. Passenger trains typically consist of the South Shore car, a passenger gondola and one or two cabooses, pulled by the operational GE 44‑ton switcher.
Nearby
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society shares its corner of Michigan with the Saline Railroad Depot, 12 mi off, plus the Lost Railway Museum and the Old Road Dinner Train, each 17 mi out.
Where to Stay
Bookings made through this map support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
More Railroading Nearby
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.
Book tours & activities nearby
Pre-book guided tours and things to do around the area.
Bookings made through these links support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
More in Michigan
All train rides in Michigan →Reviews
0✍ Write a Review
Get Event Alerts
Never miss an event at Southern Michigan Railroad Society.