2025 Excursion Calendar

Note: There will be no Great Lakes Central excursion (Cadillac to Petoskey) this year due to track work.

The Great Lakes Central Railroad will be replacing the bridge north of Manton (over the Manistee River) in 2025. The current plans call for the closure of the line for 3 periods of 6 weeks each to replace the structure. In additional to that, there are plans for additional crossing and track work north of Kalkaska. All this is a significant investment of time, resources, contractors, and GLC railroad personnel to upgrade the infrastructure. That said, we will not be able to run a motor car excursion on the Great Lakes Central Railroad in 2025.

The Railroad has been a great supporter of our hobby and this will only be the second time we won’t be on the GLC railroad since its inception in 2006. (The other time was COVID 2020). We are hoping that everything goes well and that we will be invited back in 2026.

April 12, 2025 - French Lick Scenic Railway

Great Lakes Railcars 50 mile round trip from French Lick to Jasper. Fee $70. For details contact EC Andy Sargent at 812-525-4856 . Registration info will be sent upon request. Registration material must be completed and returned to EC by April 5th, no exceptions. Seat Belts required!!

April 13, 2025 - Whitewater Valley Railroad

Great Lakes Railcars, Connersville to Metamora along the historic Whitewater canal. Appx 40 RT miles. Trip fee $55. EC Andy Sargent 812-525-4856. Registration info will be sent upon request and must be completed and mailed in by April 5th.

April 26, 2025 - East Troy Railroad Museum

From East Troy to Mukwonago (about 7 miles, 60 miles total). GLR and ETRM rules apply. Run fee $50. 10 car minimum. Mentoring by permission only. EC David Otte 920-246-2103, or by email at: 2dro56@gmail.com

May 17-18 and August 23-24, 2025 - Indiana Northeastern Railroad - Full, Waitlist Started

Great Lakes Rail Cars will host a 173 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 6:45 am local (Eastern) time, with a job and safety briefing at 7:45 am, and an estimated departure between 8:00 am and 8:15 am. We will proceed east to Edon, OH. Upon arrival, we will turn the railcars at 2 crossings (half the group at each crossing), and stop for a break and refreshments from the Volunteer Fire Department. Portable toilets will be provided.

We will then travel west to Steubenville Junction and take the main line north toward Coldwater, MI. We are planning to stop for a short restroom break in Angola, IN at the Trine University Campus Center (which is right next to the tracks).

After our brief stop, we will proceed north to Hillsdale, MI for our lunch break. There is a Burger King and McDonalds, as well as a couple other options, within a short walk from the tracks. There is a Marathon and 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 106.

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 5:30 am. The bus will start making round trips from the hotel to our railcars starting at 6:45 am. You can also walk to your railcar (through a tree line, down a driveway) if desired. You need to be at your railcar by 7:30 am. We plan to have our job and safety briefing at 7:45 am and will depart around 8:00 am. 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 (exact location TBD). Use caution when you go around the curve at Steubenville Junction, as there is a flange greaser just past the junction.

We will then proceed west to South Milford for set-off. We anticipate arrival at South Milford around 2:00 pm. Total miles for Sunday will be approximately 67.

The fee for this excursion is $375, which includes railroad fee plus 1 night hotel accomodation in Coldwater, MI.

To register, contact ECIT Brad Mangan at (309) 265-3513

July 5, 2025 - Boundary Trail Railway Company

Great Lakes Rail Cars, Inc. 1-day excursion between Morden & Manitou. Approximately 84 rail miles. Excursion fee is $60 (USD) or $80 (CDN). EC is Michael P. Ford To register, contact Mike via phone (317) 839-9320 or e-mail: mford@indy.rr.com

July 7, 2025 - Long Creek Railroad

Great Lakes Railcars, Inc., 1-day motor car excursion between Estevan and Tribune. 80 miles roundtrip. Excursion fee is $60 (USD) or $80 (CDN). 25-car limit. EC is Michael P. Ford. To register, contact Mike via phone (317) 839-9320 or e-mail: mford@indy.rr.com

July 8 - 11, 2025 - Red Coat Road and Rail, Ltd., Great Western Railway, Ltd.

Great Lakes Railcars, Inc. is hosting a 452- mile excursion. Excursion fee is $300 (USD) or $400 (CDN). 25-car limit. EC is Michael P. Ford. To register, contact Mike via phone (317) 839-9320 or e-mail: mford@indy.rr.com

August 6-8, 2025 - Ontario Northland Railroad

Great Lakes Railcars, Inc., 3-day excursion between Cochrane, Fraserdale, and Hearst. 400 miles. Excursion fee is $1,150 USD or $1,400 CDN. EC is Michael P. Ford To register, contact Mike via phone (317) 839-9320 or e-mail: mford@indy.rr.com

August 12-14, 2025 - Agawa Canyon Railroad - Full, Waitlist Started

Great Lakes Railcars, Inc. 3-days, 430 miles. Sault Ste. Marie to Hawk Jct. Excursion fee is $1,300 USD or $1,600 CDN. EC Michael P. Ford. To register, contact Mike via phone (317) 839-9320 or e-mail: mford@indy.rr.com Limit 25 cars.