Attractions & fun / Coopersville
Coopersville & Marne Railway
A volunteer-run excursion railroad in West Michigan running between Coopersville and Marne on track laid in 1858.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The line traces back to the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad, chartered in 1848; the rails between Coopersville and Marne went down in 1858. It belonged to the Grand Trunk Western from 1928, and when the stretch faced abandonment in 1989 the company formed to save it. Every engineer, conductor and brakeman since has been a volunteer. The main engine is No. 7014, a 1950s GM SW9 that once worked for the Grand Trunk Western in Battle Creek. On the Santa Train, elves walk each child to Santa's reserved seat and every kid gets a gift.
- A 90-minute, 12-mile round trip to Marne
- Heated passenger cars over 100 years old, with restrooms
- Premium seats come with cocoa and a cookie from a local bakery
- Car 5 has a wheelchair lift and tie-downs
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-10-23
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Nov 28, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Saturday, November 28, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Nov 29, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Sunday, November 29, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 5, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 6, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Sunday, December 6, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 12, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Saturday, December 12, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 13, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Sunday, December 13, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 19, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Saturday, December 19, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
Dec 20, 2026, 11:00 AMSanta Train (Coopersville & Marne Railway)
The Coopersville & Marne Railway’s Santa Train leaves Coopersville on Sunday, December 20, 2026 (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m.): 90 minutes in heated vintage cars, with Santa and his elves visiting every child. Coach $38 and $33; book online.
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