Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad facts for kids
Front view of the 971 engine
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Fairview, Michigan |
| Locale | Huron National Forest |
| Dates of operation | 1994–2017 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 16 in (406 mm) |
The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad is a super cool miniature train ride located in Fairview, Michigan. It's a 1/4-scale railway, which means everything is built at one-fourth the size of a real train! This fun railroad takes you on a journey through the beautiful Huron National Forest and the Comins Creek valley. The railroad has been running since 1994, offering exciting trips for visitors.
History of the Railroad
This amazing miniature railway was created by Joanne and Howard Schrader. They started building the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad station and a large engine house in 1994. An engine house is like a garage for trains!
In 1995, seven passenger cars from another railroad were fixed up to be used on this new line. These cars are named after places and counties in the Huron National Forest. Between April and December 1996, the railroad built two wooden trestles and a wooden tunnel. A trestle is a bridge that carries a railway over a valley or river. The longest trestle was over 220 feet long! The train tracks wind through areas with jack pine trees, close to the Au Sable River.
The Schraders, who started the railroad, also ran a business that sold railroad items. In 2017, they decided to retire and sold the railroad. After some updates and repairs, the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad reopened in 2019, ready for more adventures!
Awesome Locomotives
The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad has some really cool trains! One of them is a pair of miniature F-7 A diesel locomotive units. These were custom-built in Chicago and took nine months to make!
- The front locomotive has the engine that makes the train move.
- The other unit is called a "slug unit." It doesn't have an engine, but it helps balance the weight of the train.
Together, these two units weigh 11,000 pounds and are 30 feet long! The main engine has an 80 horsepower diesel engine that powers 16 wheels and an air-brake system.
The railroad also has a special steam engine called "the Hudson." This engine, number 5661, is a 4-6-4 type, which describes its wheel arrangement. It was built in 1961 and used to run on another railroad. Now, it runs on the AuSable on certain Sundays and holidays, giving visitors a chance to experience a classic steam train ride. It was restored around 2002 to look its best.
The train tracks were put down by family and friends. The track is curvy and sometimes has parallel tracks that cross over each other. The whole trip is about 1.5 miles long and takes around 18 minutes. The railroad uses over 5,500 railroad ties to hold the tracks in place! In 1995, four switches were added to the route, allowing trains to change tracks.
Train Schedule
The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad usually runs during the summer, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. They also have special Fall Color tours in October, which are great for seeing the beautiful autumn leaves. The railroad is open for rides on about 38 days each year.
The train ride is about 1.5 miles long and takes just under 20 minutes. It's a fun way to explore the area near the North Central State Trail.
