Southern Michigan Railroad Society in Clinton, Michigan
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrains and gift shop on operating days, typically mid-May to mid-December
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society is an operating museum railroad on the Clinton Branch, descended from the Palmyra and Jacksonburgh, the first branch rail line into Michigan, and it has carried passengers between Clinton and Tecumseh since a group of high school students saved the track in the 1980s.
- Saved by Tecumseh high school students
- First excursions in 1985
- About 11 miles of excursion track
- Only GMDH-3 locomotive ever built
- 100-year-old South Shore commuter car
- Santa Express each holiday season
Southern Michigan Railroad Society at a glance
- Hours
- Operating days only, typically mid-May to mid-December; see the online train schedule
- Admission
- Ticket prices vary by excursion; book through the Society's ticket pages
- Train rides
- Summer Tours most Saturdays May to September; Fall Color Tours on October weekends from Tecumseh; Santa Express; Mill Pond Flyer event trains
- Seasonal events
- Santa Express, Fall Color Tours, Mill Pond Flyer at the Clinton Fall Festival, Mill Pond Flyer at the Tecumseh Appleumpkin Festival
- Best for
- Families wanting a relaxed country train ride, and diesel fans
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address301 Bartlett Street, Clinton, MI 49236(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(517) 456-7677
- Emailcustomerservice@southernmichiganrr.com
- Websitesouthernmichiganrailroad.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow Southern Michigan Railroad Society
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Southern Michigan Railroad Society? 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 Clinton.
Rally Takes the Train
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The teenagers who bought a railroad
The line under these trains began as the Palmyra and Jacksonburgh, the first branch railroad into Michigan, and the Society sets out to preserve its whole working era, from 1838 to 1982. Over the years the route became known as the Clinton Branch, running from Lenawee Junction to Jackson. Its last freight operator was Conrail, which saw traffic fade and ended all service in 1982.
That could have been the end. Instead, a group of high school students from Tecumseh refused to watch the rails go to waste. They formed the Southern Michigan Railroad Society and bought 13 miles of the Clinton Branch. In 1985 they ran the first public excursions, using motor cars, the small maintenance vehicles railroaders call speeders, coupled into trains over parts of the 11 miles between Clinton and Raisin Center.
The Society set up shop in the former Clinton Engines building, with a gift shop and museum upstairs and a restoration shop, storage and offices below, and ran excursions from there for 35 years. As ridership grew it bought its first full size locomotive, Plymouth #1, and a pair of cabooses to make up real passenger trains. Because the track is not connected to the national rail network, every locomotive and car in the collection arrived by road.
In 2020 the Society moved its main headquarters to the former Pallox, Inc. property at the south end of Clinton, which gave it a more sustainable home for public events and more room to store and care for equipment. Volunteers keep restoring the fleet: in 2026 they finished the first phase of interior work on Chicago, South Shore & South Bend commuter car #1, which turned 100 that August.
Riding the River Raisin Route
A visit here is mostly a train ride. Excursions travel the branch between the historic towns of Clinton and Tecumseh, with the River Raisin flowing alongside and beneath the track. Most Saturdays from May through September, summer trips run between the two towns, and in October the Fall Color Tours leave from Tecumseh for the countryside. Special event trains called the Mill Pond Flyer tie in with the Clinton Fall Festival and Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival, and the Santa Express closes out the year.
The equipment is a big part of the draw for rail fans. Published rosters list the GMDH-3 #275, built in 1960 and the only one of its type ever made; GE 44-ton #75, built in 1943 and formerly of the Western Maryland, described as the last GE 44 tonner; and a 1938 Plymouth that came from Hayes Albion Corp. and went onto Clinton's display track in August 2024. The century-old South Shore car #1 shows what careful volunteer restoration looks like up close. The office and gift shop open only on operating days.
Don’t miss
- GMDH-3 #275Built in 1960, it is the only GMDH-3 locomotive ever built, so this is the one place to see the type.
- GE 44-ton #75A 1943 diesel switcher that once worked for the Western Maryland, described as the last GE 44 tonner.
- Chicago, South Shore & South Bend car #1This commuter car turned 100 in August 2026, and volunteers restored wood wall panels, luggage racks, window jambs and shades in its first interior phase.
- The 1938 Plymouth on the display trackA small industrial locomotive from Hayes Albion Corp., moved to Clinton's display track in August 2024.
- The River Raisin crossingsThe line follows the River Raisin and crosses it, which is where the route gets its River Raisin Route name.
Short rides, a Santa train and a river to watch
The summer excursions between Clinton and Tecumseh are a good first train ride for young children, with the river to watch out the windows and two small towns at either end. The Santa Express is the family favorite of the holiday season, and the Mill Pond Flyer trains add a ride to a day at the Clinton Fall Festival or Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival.
The Society does not publish age guidance or stroller details online, so call or email with questions about boarding with little ones.
Plan your visit: tips for Southern Michigan Railroad Society
- Not every train departs from Clinton Station; check your booking for the departure point.
- Fall Color Tours sell out: all 2026 tickets were gone by October, with no extra dates added.
- Follow the Society on Facebook or Instagram to hear when tickets are released.
- The office and gift shop are open only on operating days.
- Phones, email and social media are answered by volunteers, so allow time for a reply.
The Santa Express is the Society's holiday train, part of a year that also includes the very popular Fall Color Tours and the Mill Pond Flyer trains for the Clinton Fall Festival and Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival. Holiday dates appear on the full train schedule on the Society's site, and our guide to Christmas train rides in Michigan lists more seasonal options around the state.
A railroad run by volunteers
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society, Inc. is a volunteer organization, and its own phone, email and social accounts are staffed by volunteers. Membership is open and no experience is needed to volunteer. Visitors can also help through donations, the Society's wish list, business sponsorships, gift cards and purchases in the gift shop on operating days.
More rail history within an hour or so
Clinton sits about 41 miles from Dearborn, home of the Greenfield Village Railroad and the Henry Ford Museum's railroad collection. Just over the Ohio line, the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum is about 46 miles away. You can find the rest on our page of Michigan train museums and rides.
- Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation railroad collectionDearborn, MI · about 41 mi
- Greenfield Village RailroadDearborn, MI · about 41 mi
- Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and MuseumGrand Rapids, OH · about 46 mi
- Detroit Historical Museum railroad exhibitsDetroit, MI · about 50 mi
- Little River RailroadColdwater, MI · about 54 mi
- Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History MuseumDurand, MI · about 58 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Every trip on this line exists because some Tecumseh teenagers decided an abandoned railroad was worth saving, and I love that. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to Rally at the station, and I picture the volunteers here doing the same for the kids climbing aboard the Santa Express. If you have a little one who wants to be the conductor, our train books for toddlers list is a good place to start.
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
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
- Train museums in Michigan: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Michigan
- Halloween train rides in Michigan
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Southern Michigan Railroad Society?
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
- Southern Michigan Railroad Society official website(opens in a new tab)
- Southern Michigan Railroad Society on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Southern Michigan Railroad Society on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Southern Michigan Railroad Society: 20 questions riders ask
What is the Southern Michigan Railroad Society?
It is a nonprofit, volunteer-run museum railroad based in Clinton, Michigan. The Society owns what remains of the Clinton Branch, descended from the first branch rail line into Michigan, and runs public excursions between Clinton and Tecumseh while collecting and restoring historic rail equipment and teaching visitors about railway history.
Where is the Southern Michigan Railroad?
The railroad is in Lenawee County in southern Michigan, running between the towns of Clinton and Tecumseh. Its office is at 301 Bartlett Street, Clinton, MI 49236, and its mailing address is PO Box A, Clinton, MI 49236-0001. Not all trains leave from Clinton Station, so check your booking for the exact departure point.
Where do Southern Michigan Railroad trains depart?
It depends on the trip. Some excursions leave from Clinton Station, while the October Fall Color Tours travel out of Tecumseh, according to Michigan's tourism site. The Society asks riders to check their booking information for the exact departure location, and the full train schedule on its website lists every train and date.
When does the Southern Michigan Railroad run?
Trains run on a seasonal schedule, and the office and gift shop open only on operating days, typically from mid-May through mid-December. Summer excursions run most Saturdays from May through September, Fall Color Tours run on October weekends, and the Santa Express follows in the holiday season. See the online schedule for exact dates.
How much are Southern Michigan Railroad tickets?
Prices vary by excursion and are listed on the Society's ticket pages. One travel directory gives adult tickets at $25, but that is a third-party figure, so confirm the current fare when you book. Gift cards are also sold through the Society's website, which makes a ride an easy present for a train fan.
Are the Southern Michigan Railroad Fall Color Tours sold out?
For 2026, yes. The Society says every Fall Color Tour ticket for 2026 is sold out and no seats, times or dates will be added. It has no set release date yet for 2027 tickets, and suggests following its Facebook and Instagram pages to hear when they go on sale.
Does the Southern Michigan Railroad have a Santa train?
Yes. The Santa Express is the Society's holiday excursion and is listed with its regular ride options alongside Summer Tours and Fall Color Tours. Dates and tickets appear on the full train schedule on the Society's website. Given how quickly the fall trains sell out, it is wise to book holiday seats early.
What is the Mill Pond Flyer?
The Mill Pond Flyer is the name the Society uses for special excursions that run with local festivals, including the Clinton Fall Festival and Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival. These trips let you add a train ride to a festival day. Check the Special Events page on the Society's website for the current year's dates.
How did the Southern Michigan Railroad Society start?
When Conrail ended service on the Clinton Branch in 1982, a group of high school students from Tecumseh decided the track should not go to waste. They formed the Southern Michigan Railroad Society and bought 13 miles of the branch. The first public excursions followed in 1985, aboard small motor cars known as speeders.
What railroad was the Clinton Branch?
The line began as the Palmyra and Jacksonburgh, the first branch rail line into Michigan, and once stretched from Lenawee Junction to Jackson. One rail history site describes it as a former New York Central branch. Conrail was its last freight operator before abandoning it in 1982, and the Society preserves its 1838 to 1982 history.
How long is the Southern Michigan Railroad track?
The Society bought 13 miles of the Clinton Branch, and about 11 miles of track between Clinton and Raisin Center are used for public excursions. Wikipedia gives the preserved total as 13.5 miles. The line is not connected to the national rail network, so all equipment had to arrive by road.
What locomotives does the Southern Michigan Railroad have?
The roster includes GMDH-3 #275, built in 1960 and the only one of its type ever made, and GE 44-ton #75 from 1943, formerly of the Western Maryland, described as the last GE 44 tonner. A 1938 Plymouth from Hayes Albion Corp. sits on the Clinton display track. The Society's first full size locomotive was Plymouth #1.
What is the South Shore car at the Southern Michigan Railroad?
It is Chicago, South Shore & South Bend commuter car #1, which turned 100 years old in August 2026. Volunteers finished the first phase of a partial interior restoration that fall, redoing wood wall panels, luggage racks and window jambs and replacing the carpet runner and three window shades.
Is the Southern Michigan Railroad good for kids?
Yes, its excursions are pitched as fun for the whole family. The summer trains between Clinton and Tecumseh offer river views and a manageable ride, and the Santa Express is built around the holidays. The Society does not post age guidance online, so call (517) 456-7677 with questions about young children.
Does the Southern Michigan Railroad have a gift shop?
Yes. The Society runs a gift shop, which is open only on operating days, typically from mid-May through mid-December. Purchases help support the volunteer-run railroad. Gift cards for train rides can also be bought through the Society's website any time of year.
How can I volunteer with the Southern Michigan Railroad Society?
Become a member. The Society invites people to join its membership and volunteer, and says no experience is necessary. Volunteers run the trains, staff the phones and email, and restore equipment such as the South Shore car. Details are on the membership page of its website, or call (517) 456-7677.
How can I donate to the Southern Michigan Railroad Society?
Donations can be made through the Support Us section of the Society's website, which also lists a wish list of needed items and a business sponsorship program. Every piece of equipment had to be trucked in, so restoration and upkeep depend heavily on that support. Email customerservice@southernmichiganrr.com with questions.
How do I contact the Southern Michigan Railroad Society?
Call (517) 456-7677, email customerservice@southernmichiganrr.com, or use the contact form on the Society's website. Its Facebook and Instagram pages are also staffed. The Society notes that volunteers handle all of these channels, so replies can take a little time, especially outside the operating season.
Where is the Southern Michigan Railroad headquarters?
Since 2020 the Society's main headquarters has been the former Pallox, Inc. property at the south end of Clinton, which offered more room for events and equipment. For 35 years before that, excursions ran from the former Clinton Engines building, which held a gift shop and museum upstairs and a restoration shop below.
What train museums are near Clinton, Michigan?
Dearborn's Greenfield Village Railroad and the Henry Ford Museum's railroad collection are each about 41 miles away. The Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum in Ohio is about 46 miles, the Detroit Historical Museum about 50, and the Little River Railroad in Coldwater about 54 miles.
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