Coopersville & Marne Railway, Michigan

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Coopersville, Michigan · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSeasonal themed trains; Pumpkin Train in October, Santa Train between Thanksgiving and Christmas

The Coopersville & Marne Railway carries passengers in century-old coaches over six miles of track first laid in 1858, a West Michigan line that volunteers saved from abandonment in 1989 and still run as a 90-minute round trip to the Village of Marne.

  • Track first laid in 1858
  • 12-mile, 90-minute round trip
  • All-volunteer train crews
  • Coaches over 100 years old
  • Saved from abandonment in 1989

Coopersville & Marne Railway at a glance

Hours
Scheduled trains only; see the train rides page for dates and times
Admission
Prices vary by trip and class; book online at the railroad's website
Train rides
90-minute, 12-mile round trip from Coopersville to Marne; Coach and Premium Class
Seasonal events
Pumpkin Train, Santa Train, Oktoberfest Express, Wild West train robbery rides
Plan for
About 2 hours including boarding
Best for
Families with young kids, especially in fall and the holiday season
Best ages
Ages 2 to 10

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Coopersville & Marne Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Coopersville.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Saving six miles of the Detroit and Milwaukee

This line has deep roots. It was chartered on April 3, 1848 as the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad Company, merged with the Detroit and Pontiac in 1855 and became the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad. Crews laid the track through Marne and Coopersville in the summer of 1858, and the first trains reached Grand Rapids that June and Grand Haven that September.

In May 1928 the track became part of the Grand Trunk Western. The Central Michigan Railway bought the line in 1987, and two years later it planned to abandon the stretch between Coopersville and Marne. Local rail supporters stepped in, and the Coopersville & Marne Railway Company was incorporated on July 13, 1989 to preserve that track.

The railroad later bought the rest of the line from Marne into Grand Rapids, which means it still connects to the national rail network. Passenger trains are run by a separate nonprofit, the Friends of the Coopersville & Marne Railway, and for 35 years its engineers, conductors and brakemen have all been volunteers. They describe the railroad as West Michigan's last tourist railroad, and their aim is plain: keep a working piece of living history around for the next generation.

Farm country, creeks and a girder bridge on the way to Marne

Buy tickets at the office at 306 Main St. in downtown Coopersville, then board at the platform at 311 Danforth Street. The 12-mile round trip to Marne takes about 90 minutes and heads out through family-owned farmland, over an open-deck girder bridge, four creeks and a road bridge before reaching the village.

The vintage passenger cars are more than 100 years old and newly renovated, with heat and restrooms. Three of the coaches began life as commuter cars, two from the East Coast's Delaware, Lackawanna and Western and one from the Canadian National. Premium Class adds table seating for four, snacks or treats and air conditioning, and many trips come with live entertainment along the way.

Don’t miss

  1. The 1858 right of waySix miles of track first laid by the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, still carrying trains today.
  2. The DL&W commuter coachesTwo of the railroad's coaches came from the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western on the East Coast, a long way from West Michigan.
  3. The Canadian National coachA third former commuter car, this one from Canada, rounds out a fleet of cars that are each more than a century old.
  4. The open-deck girder bridgeOne of several crossings on the run to Marne, along with four creeks and a road bridge.
  5. Premium Class tablesTable seating with seasonal treats from Coopersville's Delly Belly bakery, a nice upgrade for a family of four.

Costumes, The Pumpkin and a seat saved for Santa

The Pumpkin Train is a West Michigan fall tradition for families. Kids and parents are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, The Pumpkin and her goofy sidekicks entertain on the ride to Marne and back, and children get a small gift and candy at the end. Note that there is no pumpkin patch stop.

The Santa Train runs on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Santa has his own seat, every child gets to meet him and receive a gift, and elves and sometimes Mrs. Claus read stories on board. With heated cars and restrooms, the 90-minute trip works well for young kids.

Plan your visit: tips for Coopersville & Marne Railway

  • Buy tickets early: the Pumpkin Train and Santa Train sell out quickly.
  • The ticket office is at 306 Main St., but you board at 311 Danforth Street.
  • Parties under four may share a table or facing seats with other riders.
  • Follow the railroad on Facebook for the most current updates; it warns that AI-made social media videos and ads about it may not be accurate.
  • Sold-out trips can reopen when cancellations come in, so keep checking.

October and December are the railroad's big months. The Pumpkin Train runs weekends in October with costumes encouraged and The Pumpkin on board, and the Santa Train fills weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. For grown-ups, the Oktoberfest Express runs Saturdays in October for riders 21 and up, and it sold out for 2026. For more seasonal ideas, see fall and Halloween train rides in Michigan and Santa and Christmas trains in Michigan.

The Friends of the Coopersville & Marne

Trains are run by the Friends of the Coopersville & Marne Railway, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose engineers, conductors and brakemen are all volunteers. You can support them by riding, buying a gift certificate, renting a coach or the whole train for a party or wedding, or donating to keep the vintage trains rolling.

Other rail stops in Michigan

The nearest museums on our list are a drive away. The Wabash Railroad Museum in Decatur is about 66 miles south, and the Clinton Northern Railway Museum in St. Johns is about 70 miles east. Steam fans can continue to the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, about 89 miles away. Browse train museums and rides across Michigan for more.

Every train museum in Michigan

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The Santa Train here has a seat saved just for Santa, and I keep thinking about the moment a child spots him. In our book there's a dark tunnel, and then a big bright light and happy cheers as the train comes out the other side. That rush of joy is what my mom imagined when she dreamed up the story, years before she died in 2021. Seeing Santa waiting in his seat must feel a lot like coming out of that tunnel. You can read more on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Coopersville & Marne Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: 20 questions riders ask

What events does the Coopersville & Marne Railway run?

The railroad runs seasonal themed trains rather than a daily schedule. As of October 2026, its lineup includes the Pumpkin Train on October weekends, the Oktoberfest Express on October Saturdays for ages 21 and up, and the Santa Train on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It also mentions Wild West train robbery rides.

Where is the Coopersville & Marne Railway?

The ticket office is at 306 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404, and the boarding platform is nearby at 311 Danforth Street. Coopersville is in West Michigan, and the trains run six miles east to the Village of Marne and back. Call (616) 997-7000 if you need directions.

How long is the Coopersville & Marne train ride?

Public rides are a 90-minute, 12-mile round trip from Coopersville to Marne and back. That covers six miles of track each way. Allow some extra time to check in at the ticket office and walk to the Danforth Street platform before departure.

How much are Coopersville & Marne Railway tickets?

Fares vary by event and by seating class, and the railroad posts current prices with each ride when you book online at mitrain.net. Premium Class costs more and includes table seating and treats. Gift certificates are also sold in any amount you choose.

What is the Coopersville & Marne Pumpkin Train?

The Pumpkin Train is a family fall ride on October weekends. Kids and parents are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, The Pumpkin and her sidekicks entertain on the way to Marne and back, and children get a fun gift and candy at the end. It is open to all ages and lasts 90 minutes.

Does the Pumpkin Train stop at a pumpkin patch?

No. The railroad is clear that the Pumpkin Train does not stop at a pumpkin patch and it does not have one. The fun is on board, with costumed characters and treats. Premium Class adds table seating with Hill Brothers Orchard cider and a Delly Belly pumpkin themed donut.

When does the Coopersville & Marne Santa Train run?

The Santa Train runs on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Santa has his own seat, every child meets him and receives a gift, and elves, sometimes joined by Mrs. Claus, read stories. It is one of the most popular rides and sells out quickly, so buy tickets well ahead.

What is the Oktoberfest Express?

The Oktoberfest Express is an adults-only 90-minute ride on Saturdays in October, for ages 21 and up with ID. It includes two drinks and a Bavarian pretzel bread twist from Delly Belly Bakery, with Oktoberfest music on board. It sold out for 2026, but cancellations reopen seats automatically.

What is the difference between Coach and Premium Class?

Coach Class seats you in renovated vintage cars over 100 years old, with heat and a restroom. Premium Class offers table seating for four, seasonal snacks and drinks, plus heat and air conditioning. Smaller parties may share a table or facing seats with other riders.

Are the Coopersville & Marne Railway coaches heated?

Yes. The coaches are heated in cold weather and have restrooms. Premium Class cars are also air conditioned. That makes the late fall and holiday trips comfortable for families, though dressing in layers is still a good idea on winter weekends.

How old is the Coopersville & Marne Railway?

The track through Coopersville and Marne was first laid in the summer of 1858 by the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, which began as the Oakland and Ottawa in 1848. The Coopersville & Marne Railway Company itself was incorporated on July 13, 1989 to save the line from abandonment.

Who runs the Coopersville & Marne Railway?

Passenger trains are operated and tickets sold by the Friends of the Coopersville & Marne Railway, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For 35 years, all of its engineers, conductors and brakemen have been volunteers. The separate railway company owns the track, which connects to the national rail network in Grand Rapids.

What will we see on the ride to Marne?

The train heads out through family-owned farmland, crossing an open-deck girder bridge, four creeks and a road bridge before arriving in the Village of Marne. Many trips also include live entertainment on board, so there is something to watch both inside and out the window.

Where did the Coopersville & Marne coaches come from?

The railroad's vintage passenger cars are more than 100 years old. Three of them started out as commuter cars, two from the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western on the East Coast and one from the Canadian National Railroad. They have since been renovated with heat and restrooms.

Can I rent the Coopersville & Marne train for a party?

Yes. You can rent the whole train or a private coach for a family event, birthday party, corporate event, wedding and more. Use the private events form on mitrain.net with your preferred date and details, or call (616) 997-7000 to start planning.

Is the Coopersville & Marne Railway good for toddlers?

The Pumpkin Train and Santa Train are both open to all ages and built around young kids, with costumed characters, gifts and candy. The cars are heated and have restrooms, which helps on a 90-minute trip. The railroad does not post accessibility details, so call ahead if you need them.

Is the Coopersville & Marne Railway wheelchair accessible?

The railroad does not describe its accessibility on its main pages. Because the coaches are vintage cars more than 100 years old, call (616) 997-7000 or email info@mitrain.net before you buy tickets to ask about boarding help and seating options.

Are Coopersville & Marne train rides sold out?

Popular trips often sell out. As of October 2026, the Oktoberfest Express was sold out for the season, and the railroad warns that the Pumpkin Train and Santa Train go quickly. Seat availability updates in real time, so cancellations can open spots if you keep checking.

How can I support the Coopersville & Marne Railway?

Riding is the simplest way. You can also donate through the website to help keep the vintage trains rolling, buy a gift certificate for a train fan, or rent a coach for an event. The volunteer crews are what keep the trains running, so ask about helping out.

What train museums are near the Coopersville & Marne Railway?

The Wabash Railroad Museum in Decatur is about 66 miles away and the Clinton Northern Railway Museum in St. Johns about 70 miles. The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso is about 89 miles east, and the Little River Railroad in Coldwater about 91 miles south.

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