Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Detroit area train rides « Previous Next »
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Unclefrank
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Username: Unclefrank

Post Number: 9
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 192.85.50.2
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 5:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone know of a good area train ride that lasts a few hours, that my teenage daughter might enjoy?
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Mackinaw
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Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 1285
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 141.213.173.94
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As in AMTRAK?

Pontiac to Detroit to A2 would take nearly 2 hours. But it's no round trip, as trains only go either way between Chicago and Pontiac three times per day.
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Johnnny5
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Username: Johnnny5

Post Number: 186
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 71.227.95.4
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There's the Star Clipper dinner train in Walled Lake. It does not go much of anywhere, but the food is tasty and it ends up at the same spot where it started. They also have a Sunday service for those who just want the train ride without dinner.
http://www.michiganstarclipper.com/

(Message edited by Johnnny5 on March 22, 2006)
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Jimaz
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Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 509
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This looks like a good thread. Thanks for that link, Johnnny5.
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Jimaz
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Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 510
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'd like to treat my mother to a Detroit River cruise. I found http://www.diamondjack.com/ but are there other companies that give boat tours?
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Motorcitymayor2026
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Username: Motorcitymayor2026

Post Number: 625
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 24.231.189.137
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, check out the Detroit Princess...a bit more upscale than a diamond jack tour
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Motorcitymayor2026
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Username: Motorcitymayor2026

Post Number: 626
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 24.231.189.137
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

www.detroitprincess.com

sorry

(Message edited by motorcitymayor2026 on March 22, 2006)
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Jimaz
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Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 511
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Motorcitymayor2026, thank you so very much.

<< Shopping around here. :-)
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1496
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

Pontiac to Detroit to A2 would take nearly 2 hours. But it's no round trip, as trains only go either way between Chicago and Pontiac three times per day.




Depending on where you are starting from, it can be round trip.

Take it from OC to Detroit or AA in the morning or the early afternoon, and you can catch one home either in the evening or late night.

If you took the first one in the morning to Detroit from AA or Jackson, you could catch the last one back a couple of hours later.

http://www.amtrak.com/timetabl e/oct05/W22.pdf
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Busterwmu
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Username: Busterwmu

Post Number: 212
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 24.247.221.241
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would recommend the Diamond Jack tour. They start around the second weekend of June and have expertly narrated tours. Amtrak from Pontiac to A2 and back could be a good trip. or any cities in between. Want to see more country and less city backyard? Take a trip to Jackson and catch the next train the other way. Michigan Star Clipper train is a nice trip. The Adrian and Blissfield also has excursion trips and a dinner train, but I don't have a link for them.
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Mackinaw
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Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 1287
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 141.213.173.94
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well that is true. And usually two trains cross path in A2 within a half hour of each other in the evening. The westbound train stops in A2 at 6:11 pm, and then the eastbound which would get you back to Detroit in 45 minutes comes in at 6:47. If you went Detroit to A2 back to Detroit it would usually cost about $13 each way business class, or $10-11 each way coach. Hey if all you want to do is take a train ride (plus perhaps you could walk up the hill and get a bite to eat at Zingerman's in your half-hour layover)...
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Track75
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Username: Track75

Post Number: 2259
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 12.75.24.61
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Check the Bluewater (Michigan) chapter of the National Rail Historical Society. They do some interesting tours, at times using vintage equipment.

http://www.bluewaternrhs.com/e vents.html

(Message edited by track75 on March 22, 2006)
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1225
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jimaz: I took my mother on the Diamond Jack Detroit River cruise and she really enjoyed it. If you get there early enough to get an upper deck near the front seat, it is most enjoyable. We were able to relax and chat about the various buildings and places of note along the way. After checking out the DJ Wyandotte cruise last summer, I plan to take mom on that tour this summer!!
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Jimaz
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Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 514
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kathleen, up front, early with binoculars and camera. Good tip. Thanks!
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Motorcitymayor2026
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Username: Motorcitymayor2026

Post Number: 628
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 24.231.189.137
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

depending on when you want to take your mom....the Detroit Princess has offers year round, Diamond Jack is seasonal operations.
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Jimaz
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Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 515
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Heck, we'll probably do both. lol Thanks!
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Motorcitymayor2026
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Username: Motorcitymayor2026

Post Number: 629
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 24.231.189.137
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There ya go!!
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Bvos
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Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1306
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.148.226.17
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Detroit Zoo has a train ride, as does Greenfield Village....

(Sorry, couldn't resist the two obvious answers!)
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Busterwmu
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Username: Busterwmu

Post Number: 213
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 24.247.221.241
Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I believe the Detroit Princess is required to stay at their dock from October-April or May or so. So you can still pay for the meal and sit at the dock. Nice view into Cobo!
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Tndetroiter
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Username: Tndetroiter

Post Number: 36
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 24.158.164.229
Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Little River Railroad in Coldwater offers steam excursions in the summer.

http://www.littleriverrailroad .com/
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1233
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 8:29 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Looking for something else this morning, came across these railroad options:

Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Excursions: U.S. 223, Blissfield; Sat., 1. RSVP: 888-467-2451.
http://www.murdermysterytrain. com/blissfield_family_excursio n.htm

Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum
http://www.tlew.org/

Southern Michigan Railroad: 517-456-7677; tours between Clinton and Tecumseh, Mich. Clinton departures: Sat., 11 a.m. and 2; Tecumseh departure: Sat., 12:30. Railroad Museum: 320 S. Division, Clinton, Mich. http://southernmichiganrailroa d.org/trainexcursions.htm
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Toolbox
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Username: Toolbox

Post Number: 860
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.184.29.148
Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. Located in Owosso.
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Bob
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Username: Bob

Post Number: 854
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:49 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Railway Trust in Owosso is home to Pere Marquette 1225 which was the train used to design the train in Polar Express.
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Keystone
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Username: Keystone

Post Number: 214
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.21.43.48
Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is a miniature railroad club that runs on tracks in Royal Oak every month in the summer. It's free (but donations are welcome), and great for kids. Information can be found at:

http://www.geocities.com/large scale.geo/newpage13.html
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J32885
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Username: J32885

Post Number: 25
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 68.41.108.161
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 10:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Check the links out, provided by Michiganrailroads.com

http://www.michiganrailroads.c om/MichRRs/TouristRR/TouristMe nu.htm

http://www.michiganrailroads.c om/MichRRs/Museums/MuseumMenu. htm

http://www.michiganrailroads.c om/MichRRs/ModelRR/ModelRRMenu .htm

Enjoy ^_^
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Douglasm
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Username: Douglasm

Post Number: 509
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.189.188.28
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 11:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How about the Huckleberry Railroad at Crossroads Village in Flint? They've got two steamers, both narrow gauge. #2 is a 4-6-0 originally built for the Alaska Railroad (before it was standard gauged) and ex Denver and Rio Grande 4-8-4 #464. The operating status of the Mudhen is uncertain, but the 10 wheeler would be worth watching and riding in any case.

http://geneseecountyparks.org/ huckleberry_railroad.htm

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