On August 19, 2006, members, spouses and guests of the Kalamazoo Model
Railroad Historical Society went on a Rail Fan trip to Coldwater, Michigan
to ride the Little River Railroad.
Despite a drizzly start to the day, the rain stopped and gave way to a
warm overcast day before the 2PM departure. The 8 mile ride to Quincy was taken
at a sedate pace on smooth trackage. The scenery was mostly backyards and rolling
fields of corn, but we had ample opportunity to wave to railfans and traffic stopped
at the several crossings.
Number 110 is a Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific type coal-fired locomotive, beautifully preserved.
The remainder of the train consisted of: a baggage car converted for passengers,
a commissary car, 2 heavyweight coaches with very nice interiors, 2 box cars converted
to railfan 'cattle' cars and a well preserved wooden caboose. On the East-bound trip
to Quincy the engine ran backward, hitched to the caboose. During the stop at Quincy,
the engine ran around the train and coupled to the baggage car at the other end for
a more normal-looking return to Coldwater. The station at Coldwater is well maintained
and beautifully painted, inside and out, and contains the ticket booth, displays and
a souvenirs shop.
There is a wealth of detail of the engine, rolling stock, rail line and tours on the
Little River Railroad
website.
