Attractions & fun / Clinton
Southern Michigan Railroad: Santa Express boarding at Clinton United Methodist Church
The boarding point at Clinton United Methodist Church for the Southern Michigan Railroad's Santa Express, on Michigan's first branch rail line.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society runs what's left of the Palmyra and Jacksonburgh, the first branch rail line into Michigan. When Conrail abandoned the Clinton Branch in 1982, a group of Tecumseh high school students refused to let the track go to waste, and excursions have run since 1985. The Society bought a 13-mile branch and carries riders on 11 miles of it between Clinton and Raisin Center. The Santa Express runs about 15 minutes from the church to Clinton Station, lays over 45 minutes, then brings you back.
- About 1 hour 15 minutes, with a 45-minute layover at Clinton Station
- Adults $20; toddlers 0–2 ride free
- Private cabooses for 8 or 10 people
- Runs rain, snow or shine
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, 10:00 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Saturday, November 28, 2026 (10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
Nov 29, 2026, 11:30 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Sunday, November 29, 2026 (11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
Dec 5, 2026, 10:00 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
Dec 6, 2026, 11:30 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Sunday, December 6, 2026 (11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
Dec 12, 2026, 10:00 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Saturday, December 12, 2026 (10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
Dec 13, 2026, 11:30 AMSanta Express
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society’s Santa Express leaves Clinton on Sunday, December 13, 2026 (11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) from beside Clinton United Methodist Church for a ride to Santa’s caboose, where every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift. Adults $20, kids $15; book online.
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