Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad
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 Front view of the 971 engine | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Fairview, Michigan |
| Locale | Huron National Forest |
| Dates of operation | 1994–2017 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 16 in (406 mm) |
| Length | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Other | |
| Website | www |
The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad was a 16 in (406 mm), 1/4-scale ridable miniature railway, located in Fairview, Michigan. The railroad ran through the scenic Huron National Forest and the Comins Creek valley.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The railroad operated continuously from 1994 before closing permanently in 2021[14] due to COVID-19 and deteriorating infrastructure, trestles and roadbed.[15]
The railroad was created by Joanne and Howard Schrader. They began construction of the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad station and the 72-foot (22 m) engine house in 1994. In 1995, seven passenger cars from the Pinconning and Blind River Railroad were restored for use on the line. The cars are named after area counties and other points of interest in the Huron National Forest. From 15 April to 2 December 1996, the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad constructed two wooden trestles and a 115-foot (35 m) wooden tunnel. The longest trestle spanned over 220 feet (67 m).[16] The railroad meandered through jack pine country near the valleys of the Au Sable River.[3][4]
The Schraders were publishers, distributors and operators of a railroad catalog.[17]
Trainorders.com reported in 2017 that the Schraders retired from operating the railroad and the catalog.[18] The facility, owners' residence and acreage was listed for sale in 2017,[7] together with the affiliated railroad catalog store.[18][better source needed] The railroad was sold to Kings Lights of Texas[19][20]
