Marquette Rail Santa Train 2013 - Dec 14

[i995impalass]

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Here Comes Santa Claus on the
Eighth Annual Santa Express
Saturday, December 14, 2013

Ludington: November 11, 2013 - For the eighth year, Marquette Rail will be bringing Santa and Mrs. Clause to communities along its line, where they will hand out candy to good girls and boys from the Santa Express. Children (and adults) of all ages are welcome! Marquette Rail has again partnered with Jim Nickelson’s Christmas Trees of Ludington to help distribute trees at each stop to lucky drawing winners who have been pre-selected. Marquette Rail will operate its eighth annual Santa Express on Saturday, December 14th, between Grand Rapids, Ludington and Manistee, following the schedule below:

Station Arrive Depart Location

Comstock Park 9:30 am 9:50 am Comstock Park Depot, Dwight Lydell Park off West River Road

Sparta 10:10 am 10:20 am Division St. Crossing

Kent City 10:35 am 10:55 am Main St. Crossing

Grant 11:20 am 11:45 am Grant Depot

Newaygo 12:10 pm 12:30 pm River St. Crossing

White Cloud 12:50 pm 1:00 pm Wilcox Ave. Crossing

Bitely 1:35 pm 1:45 pm Main St. Crossing

Baldwin 2:05 pm 2:25 pm Baldwin Depot/off Astor Rd.

Scottville 3:15 pm 3:30 pm Main St. Crossing

Ludington 3:50 pm 4:15 pm First St. Crossing

Fountain 5:20 pm 5:45 pm Main St. Crossing

Free Soil 6:05 pm 6:20 pm Free Soil Rd. Crossing

Stronach 6:40 pm 6:55 pm Main St. Crossing

Manistee 7:20 pm 7:35 pm River St. Depot

For more information, contact MARQUETTE RAIL at 1-231-845-9000. MARQUETTE RAIL is a Genesee & Wyoming Co. property serving Western Michigan and operates between Grand Rapids, Ludington and Manistee, Michigan.

*Times are approximate and station stops are subject to change.*

[BRgroat]

I live by Comstock Park; I might see if I can catch this train! I'm not exactly sure where Comstock Park Depot is though.

[Standard Railfan]

I live by Comstock Park; I might see if I can catch this train! I'm not exactly sure where Comstock Park Depot is though.

There is not a "depot" in Comstock Park. The old fish hatchery building in the Park downtown is the surrogate.

Nice HO layout in the Fishery building as well. I wonder if they will be open on that Saturday.

[BRgroat]

OH! You mean the Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society?
I know exactly where that is!

[Standard Railfan]

That would be the spot.

[Saturnalia]

When I was at the open house, they said they were planning on being open, they just needed a date & time.

[aadti]

The Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society WILL be open about 8:30 or so that morning

[Saturnalia]

The Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society WILL be open about 8:30 or so that morning

Sweet!

Now all we need is some fresh powder!

[CAT345C]

This years consist will be the 2006 a brand new Fbox 50' box car a brand new UTLX tank car number 600336, a flat car loaded with christmas trees and a Marquette bobber on the rear.

[Saturnalia]

Well Mr. Thias, it appears you will get your snow wish! http://www.wzzm13.com/weather/condition ... fault.aspx

Countdown!
http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to ... ta%20Train

9347 Minutes to go

[KenB]

And where is the Grand Rapids Club?

[Saturnalia]

And where is the Grand Rapids Club?

Comstock Park, and is right where the Santa Train stop is. It is the big building at the north end of the park next to the tracks. You can't miss it.

[aadti]

And where is the Grand Rapids Club?

4040 Leland NW, Comstock park MI 49321

[CAT345C]

For those chasing the train this year there is a good amount of snow up to the north. Got several inches last night and forecasted for several more by Friday. This would include, White Cloud, Baldwin, Ludville and Manistee

[BRgroat]

Today/Tomorrow's the Day!
If I have not caught the sickness going about my family I will be going after it! Though only as far as Comstock Park.
My plan is to see it go through the Amtrak station in Grand Rapids, then follow/chase it to its Comstock Park halt, then watch it go by the nearby park with the caboose.
A hint if you want to look for me: I'll be wearing a blue coat. That's all I'm saying.

[LSRC]

It will not be going through the GR Amtrak Station.

[SD80MAC]

Today/Tomorrow's the Day!
If I have not caught the sickness going about my family I will be going after it! Though only as far as Comstock Park.
My plan is to see it go through the Amtrak station in Grand Rapids, then follow/chase it to its Comstock Park halt, then watch it go by the nearby park with the caboose.
A hint if you want to look for me: I'll be wearing a blue coat. That's all I'm saying.

It will be staged just south of North Park St in Comstock Park, won't be going any further south than that.

[BRgroat]

It will not be going through the GR Amtrak Station.

Today/Tomorrow's the Day!
If I have not caught the sickness going about my family I will be going after it! Though only as far as Comstock Park.
My plan is to see it go through the Amtrak station in Grand Rapids, then follow/chase it to its Comstock Park halt, then watch it go by the nearby park with the caboose.
A hint if you want to look for me: I'll be wearing a blue coat. That's all I'm saying.

It will be staged just south of North Park St in Comstock Park, won't be going any further south than that.

Oh! Good to know. That's why I posted, to make sure it actually was going to be there. Since it's not, I won't try to see it there then.
I feel a little silly now though.

[GR Ron]

There was a train of covered hoppers sitting under I96 at 6:45 this morning. Get out of the way - Santa's coming to town!!!

[BRgroat]

I was in that area about half an hour ago; after seeing the morning Amtrak train set off(One of the engines currently has Phase III livery!), I tried to see it myself. I only saw an ordinary freight train idling in the opposite direction.
But I will see the Santa train soon!