Note: There will be no Ontario Northland excursion in 2026. The RR is working on several infrastructure improvement projects this year and will not be able to host us. They hope to host us again in 2027.
March 15, 2026 - Great Lakes Railcars Annual Meeting
The GLR Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday March 15, 2026 starting at 11:00AM EDT at the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Monon, Indiana. We have reserved the Private Banquet Room for lunch and our business meeting. This building also houses the Monon Connection Train Museum, and we will be provided with a guided tour after our meeting. Additional details about the venue can be found here. GLR will provide lunch and museum entry for all members that wish to attend. Please RSVP to Brad Mangan if you plan to attend so that we can provide a headcount for the restaurant.April 12, 2026 - East Troy Railroad Museum
Great Lakes Railcars. Work Detail from East Troy to Mukwonago, 7 miles one-way, pre-season trash pickup. No run fee except donation to the Museum. 10 car maximum. To register contact EC David Otte 920-246-2103.April 18, 2026 - French Lick Scenic Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars. 50 mile round trip from French Lick, IN to Jasper, IN on the French Lick Scenic Railway. Fee $70. For details contact EC Andy Sargent by text at 812-525-4856 or email. Registration info will be sent upon request. Registration material must be completed and returned to EC by April 11th, no exceptions. Seat Belts are required!
April 19, 2026 - Whitewater Valley Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars. Connersville IN, to Metamora, IN along the historic Whitewater canal. Appx 40 RT miles. Trip fee $55. If interested, please contact EC Andy Sargent by email, or text 812-525-4856. Registration info will be sent upon request. Registration material must be completed and mailed in by April 11th, no exceptions.
May 16-17, 2026 and August 22-23, 2026 - Indiana Northeastern Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars will host a 164 mile excursion from South Milford, IN, to Coldwater, MI and return. Seton will be at South Milford Grain on Friday afternoon from 3-5PM. On Saturday, we will set-on any remaining cars beginning at 6:45AM local (Eastern) time, with a safety meeting at 7:45AM, and an estimated departure at 8:00AM. We will proceed east to Edon, OH for a break and refreshments from the Volunteer Fire Department.
We will then travel west to Steubenville Junction and take the main line north toward Coldwater, MI. We are planning to stop for lunch in Angola, IN at the Trine University Campus Center (which is right next to the tracks).
After lunch, we will proceed north to Hillsdale, MI for our afternoon break. There is a Marathon and a Kroger fuel station within a short walk. You may wish to purchase fuel at this time, as our overnight location in Coldwater is not close to fuel stations.
From Hillsdale, we will travel to the Coldwater station, turn our railcars, and proceed back east about 2 miles, stopping just west of the I-69 overpass. It is a short walk to the hotel (up a driveway, through a tree line, to the hotel parking lot), but we have also arranged bus transportation to make several trips around the block for those who would rather ride.
Total miles for Saturday will be approximately 95.
Dinner on Saturday night will be on your own and there are several restaurants within a short walk of the hotel (fast food type - KFC and Taco Bell). There are sit down restaurants located a little bit further (Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebees), but within easy walking distance.
On Sunday, breakfast will be available in the hotel starting at 5:30AM. The bus will start making round trips from the hotel to our railcars starting at 6:45AM. You can also walk to your railcar (through a tree line, down a driveway) if desired. You need to be at your railcar by 7:30AM. We plan to have our safety meeting at 7:45AM and will depart around 8:00AM. We will travel to Hillsdale for a morning break (Burger King, McDonalds). If you need to purchase fuel, please do so at this stop.
We will then continue south to Angola, IN, where we are planning a short restroom break at the Trine University Campus Center.
We will then continue south to Steubenville Junction, where we will turn our railcars, then proceed west to South Milford for set-off. We anticipate arrival at South Milford around 2:00PM. Total miles for Sunday will be approximately 69.
The fee for this excursion is $375, which includes the RR fee plus Saturday lunch at Trine University and Saturday night hotel accomodation in Coldwater, MI. To allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the INE this year, please choose either the May or August date when signing up. You can also request to be put on the waitlist for the other date if you wish. There is a 35 car limit for each excursion.
To register, contact EC Brad Mangan.
*Save the Date* - June 20-28 - Hudson Bay Railway
1140 mile RT from The Pas, MB to Churchill, MB. Planned but not yet confirmed. Working with the RR, hotels, and caterers on logistics and costs. Here is the tentative schedule:
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