Overview
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society (SMRS) is based in Clinton, Michigan and offers train excursions between Clinton, Tecumseh, and Raisin Center. The railroad normally operates between May and October.
The SMRS was founded in 1982 in a effort to save Conrail's "Clinton Branch". In 1985 the SMRS purchased the line and set to work fixing it up and running motor car trips. The first engine and passenger equipment arrived in 1987 in the form of a Plymouth ML8 and two cabooses. In 1996, former Western Maryland 44 tonner #75 arrived joined the fleet and has been the primary locomotive ever since. Trains typically run between Clinton and Tecumseh, with seasonal excursions from Tecumseh to Raisin Center.
Summer runs are normally a 1-1/2 hour ride between Clinton and Tecumseh. In the fall a shuttle service is operated between the two towns during both the Clinton Fall Festival and the Tecumseh Tecumseh Applumkin Festival. During October the railroad offers popular "Fall Color Tours" from Tecumseh south to Raisin Center. The railroad also operates holiday themed trains in both November and December.
The train usually consists of GE 44 tonner #75, South Shore Car #1, NYC gondola, and either the bay window or the cupola caboose.
Locomotives
|
|
| Number
|
Model
|
Year(s) Built
|
History
|
Notes
|
| Hayes-Albion Company 1
|
ML8 20 Tonner
|
19--
|
Ex-Hayes-Albion Company 1.
|
Operable. First engine purchased by SMRS.
|
| DM 10
|
44 Tonner
|
1942
|
Ex-MSTL 10.
|
Inoperable. Awaiting restoration. Purchased in 2012 from the Steam Railroading Institute.
|
| AA 20
|
RS1
|
1950
|
Ex-AA 20.
|
Inoperable. Currently on display in Shepherd, Michigan.
|
| AA 21
|
RS1
|
1950
|
Ex-AA 21.
|
Inoperable. Stored in Lenawee Junction. Awaiting restoration.
|
| WM 75
|
44 tonner
|
1943
|
Ex-US Plywood/WM 75.
|
Operational. Main locomotive.
|
| GMD 275
|
GMDH-3
|
1960
|
Ex-McKinnon Industries 275/GMD Prototype 275.
|
Inoperable. Only GMDH-3 ever built.
|
|
Passenger Equipment
|
|
| Number
|
Model
|
Year(s) Built
|
History
|
Notes
|
| CSS 1
|
Electric Interurban Car
|
1926
|
Ex-CSS 1.
|
Main passenger car for the society.
|
| CSS 36
|
Electric Interurban Car
|
1929
|
Ex-CSS 36.
|
Stored in Lenawee Junction.
|
| AA 3296
|
Heavyweight Sleeper
|
1915
|
Ex-AA 3296.
|
Stored in Lenawee Junction. Pullman "Emerald Vale."
|
| NYC 4330
|
MU Passenger Car
|
1929
|
Ex-NYC 4330.
|
Under restoration. Last mechanically intact New York Central MU Car. Acquired in 2016.
|
| NYC ????
|
Pipe Gondola
|
1949
|
Ex-NYC.
|
Converted into a open air car. PS-5 Pipe Gondola.
|
|
Cabooses
|
|
| Number
|
Model
|
Year(s) Built
|
History
|
Notes
|
| SMRS 19851
|
Cupola Caboose
|
1944
|
Ex-PC 19882/NH C305.
|
Acquired in 1987.
|
| NYC 21692
|
Bay Window Caboose
|
1952
|
Ex-NYC 21692.
|
Acquired in 1987.
|
| SMRS 75053
|
Transfer Caboose
|
1977
|
Ex-GTW 75053.
|
Used for MOW.
|
|
Miscellaneous Cars
|
|
| Number
|
Model
|
Year(s) Built
|
History
|
Notes
|
| AA 1357
|
Boxcar
|
1959
|
Ex-AA 1357.
|
Stored in Lenawee Junction.
|
| SMRS 54207
|
Flat Car
|
19??
|
Ex-GTW 54207.
|
Used for MOW and tie service.
|
| SMRS 85800
|
Flat Car
|
19??
|
Ex-GTW 85800.
|
Used for MOW and tie service.
|
|
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