Tag Archives: Coopersville

Vintage train rides return to West Michigan

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , ,

Nick Anderson
Coopersville & Marne Railway

After primarily operating freight trains during the COVID-19 pandemic the Coopersville & Marne Railway announces the return of its popular passenger trains. A tentative schedule has been set for reopening in June; including EnterTRAINment excursions on Saturdays June 5 and 26; as well as Wednesday June 16. These train rides, featuring local musicians, depart the Coopersville station at 1:30 p.m.

According to Operations Manager, Nick Anderson, “We look forward to again offering our popular Vintage Train rides, while also assuring the safety of our passengers and volunteers.” In resuming passenger service, the railroad will follow all current CDC, MDHHS, and Ottawa County Health Department guidelines. Train capacities will be reduced to accommodate social distancing. Train crews and passengers over 2 years of age are required to wear masks; as mandated by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). All ticketing will be handled electronically, and passengers will be subject to temperature checks and COVID-19 screening before boarding the train.

Additional information regarding our June train schedule can be found on our website at mitrain.net. The website also features our COVID-19 protocols and procedures.

The Coopersville & Marne Railway is an ‘all volunteer’ vintage railroad located midway between Grand Rapids and Muskegon, offering 90-minute train rides between our namesake towns. Our train includes coaches dating to the 1920’s along with 1950’s era locomotives. And the route we follow originated with an 1848 charter for the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad. The Coopersville & Marne Railway offers EnterTRAINment Excursions, specialty Theme Trains and group charters during our normal operating season.

All abooooooard the Santa Train!

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,

screen-shot-2016-11-22-at-10-34-54-am
Photo courtesy of Coopersville & Marne Railway

 The fun begins Saturday, Nov. 26

Ride with the FUN GUY! Everyone loves Santa and Santa loves children. Each of the vintage passenger cars has a special seat reserved just for the Big Guy and his friends. 

Santa’s 230-seat train is ready! The train cars, which date from 1919-1932, are all decorated for Christmas. Santa has a special seat in each train car. The festive train rolls through the snow-covered farms, fields and across the bridges and roadways that are along the 7-mile route. Costumed Elves will escort each child for their time to sit with the Jolly Fellow. All kids get a nice gift from Santa’s Big Bag — even the shy ones!

The Story-telling Princess will read children’s Christmas-themed books when Santa is in another train car. The uniformed Conductor and Trainman will punch every ticket! Christmas music plays throughout the 90-minute ride. The railcars are heated and each has a restroom.

Bring the whole family. Special seating arrangements will be made for groups of six to sixty. All large groups sit together. Full fare is $19, Senior fare for 60+ is $18, Children 2-12 are $17. Children under two years old get a free ticket.

The train runs even on snow days. Snow or no, we go!

santa-train-copy
Photo courtesy of Coopersville & Marne Railway

Tickets

  • Adults $19.00,
  • Senior (60+) $18.00,
  • Children (2-12) $17.00,
  • Under two years old FREE

Reservations are highly recommended. Online reservations can be made here. Or call 616.997.7000, Ext. 3 on Monday through Friday from 10:30 am until 5 pm. Some tickets will be available at the station on the days of departures.

Here are the dates and times:

  • Saturday, Nov. 26th at 11 am and 1:30 pm
  • Sundays, Nov. 27th and December 4th, 11th and18th at 1 pm and 3 pm’
  • Saturdays, Dec. 3rd, 10th & 17th at 10 am, 12 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 24 at 10am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm

For more info, go here.

 

Santa Train Returns to Coopersville & Marne Railway for 2014 Season

Local Business, Recreation, ,

Coopersville TrainThe historic, Coopersville & Marne Railway is continuing its 25th year of providing family-friendly fun with the annual running of The Santa Train. Uniformed Conductors and Trainmen will assist you during your ninety-minute journey. The clickity-clack of the iron wheels and the sound of the locomotive horn at each road crossing will add to the special feeling. A blanket of snow in the passing woods and farmer’s fields completes the experience. Christmas carols are sung along the way.

SANTA!
SANTA!

 

The jolly old elf has a special seat in each of the decorated, vintage train cars. Some cars are almost 100 years old. Santa’s Elves will escort the little ones to sit with Santa. All children, even the shy ones, will get a special gift right from Santa’s big red bag. To put a figurative bow on this Christmas “enterTRAINment” package, the Story Telling Princess will read “The Polar Express”, which was written by Grand Rapids native, Chris Van Allsburg.

 

The 250 seat, heated train leaves the station in historic, downtown Coopersville every Saturday and Sunday from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Each passenger car has a restroom. Your light snacks and cameras may be taken aboard. Snow or no, we go!

 

Times for the departures are: Saturday, November 29 at 11 am & 1:30 pm. On all other Saturdays, the departure times are 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. All Sunday departures are at 1 pm and 3 pm. Saturday dates are Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, & 20. Sunday dates are Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 & 21.

Santa Train Elf

 

Ticket prices are: Adults, $15.50, Seniors (60+), $14. 50 and Children (2-12), $13.50, Children under 2 years old are free. Advance tickets: 616-997-7000, Ext. 3 or www.MItrain.net. Some tickets may be available at the train station on the days of departures. But, the train does sell out on occasion, so reservations are recommended. The Conductor begins the boarding procedures at twenty minutes prior to departure times.