Unclefrank Member Username: Unclefrank
Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 192.85.50.2
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 5:17 pm: | |
Anyone know of a good area train ride that lasts a few hours, that my teenage daughter might enjoy? |
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 1285 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:45 pm: | |
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. |
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5
Post Number: 186 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 71.227.95.4
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:50 pm: | |
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) |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 509 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:02 pm: | |
This looks like a good thread. Thanks for that link, Johnnny5. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 510 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:11 pm: | |
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? |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 625 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:16 pm: | |
Yes, check out the Detroit Princess...a bit more upscale than a diamond jack tour |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 626 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:17 pm: | |
www.detroitprincess.com sorry (Message edited by motorcitymayor2026 on March 22, 2006) |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 511 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:35 pm: | |
Motorcitymayor2026, thank you so very much. << Shopping around here. |
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers
Post Number: 1496 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:45 pm: | |
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 |
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu
Post Number: 212 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 24.247.221.241
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:52 pm: | |
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. |
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 1287 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:52 pm: | |
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)... |
Track75
Member Username: Track75
Post Number: 2259 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.24.61
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:33 pm: | |
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) |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1225 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:52 pm: | |
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!! |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 514 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:06 pm: | |
Kathleen, up front, early with binoculars and camera. Good tip. Thanks! |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 628 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:28 pm: | |
depending on when you want to take your mom....the Detroit Princess has offers year round, Diamond Jack is seasonal operations. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 515 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:30 pm: | |
Heck, we'll probably do both. lol Thanks! |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 629 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:35 pm: | |
There ya go!! |
Bvos Member Username: Bvos
Post Number: 1306 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.148.226.17
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:41 pm: | |
The Detroit Zoo has a train ride, as does Greenfield Village.... (Sorry, couldn't resist the two obvious answers!) |
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu
Post Number: 213 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 24.247.221.241
| Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:10 am: | |
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! |
Tndetroiter Member Username: Tndetroiter
Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 24.158.164.229
| Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:42 am: | |
The Little River Railroad in Coldwater offers steam excursions in the summer. http://www.littleriverrailroad .com/ |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1233 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 8:29 am: | |
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 |
Toolbox
Member Username: Toolbox
Post Number: 860 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.184.29.148
| Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:43 am: | |
The Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. Located in Owosso. |
Bob Member Username: Bob
Post Number: 854 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204
| Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:49 am: | |
The Railway Trust in Owosso is home to Pere Marquette 1225 which was the train used to design the train in Polar Express. |
Keystone Member Username: Keystone
Post Number: 214 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.21.43.48
| Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:03 am: | |
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 |
J32885 Member Username: J32885
Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.41.108.161
| Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 10:55 pm: | |
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 ^_^ |
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm
Post Number: 509 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.189.188.28
| Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 11:15 pm: | |
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 |