West Michigan's All-Volunteer Historic Railroad
The Coopersville & Marne Railway, with its antique passenger cars dating to the early part of the last century, goes out into the countryside and through family-owned farmlands. You will cross over an open-deck girder bridge, four creeks and one road bridge before you arrive at the Village of Marne. The 1950s-era diesel locomotive then uncouples from the train, runs along a passing siding next to your passenger car, couples onto the west end of the train and pulls the train back to the City of Coopersville.
This 14-mile excursion, back to a simpler time of transportation, lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. During the trip, the conductor describes points of interest while train music from the 1800s plays throughout the cars. Wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys, hawks and eagles may be seen along the way, as well as farm animals. The track also runs, for a short distance, along the I-96 freeway, where Mustangs, Jaguars and Cougars may also be seen. When in Marne, if weather permits, passengers on Regular Excursions may detrain to watch the runaround and west end coupling. Sorry, you cannot detrain on Theme Trains. Trains depart every Wednesday and Saturday, May through October (Saturdays only April, November and December) from the station platform in historic downtown Coopersville, at 11am and 1:30pm. On some Theme Trains, a 3pm departure is added. For a complete Excursion Schedule or Special Theme Trains Schedule, click here.
To rent the train or a private coach for your private event, click here.
Inside the Grand Haven Area – Coopersville & Marne Railway