Friday, August 3, 2012

A (Rio) Grande Time at the Huckleberry Railroad

David writes......




Work brought me in Flint, Michigan this week.  Wrapping up work early one day, I found myself at the Huckleberry Railroad and Crossroads Village.  The site is operated as a county park, and includes many historical buildings moved there from other locations, including a steam-powered sawmill, and a steam powered apple cider press.




Of course, the real star of the show is the narrow gauge railroad, which operates on former Pierre Marquette right of way.  The ride is about 40 minutes long, about 5 miles total in length.  At each end of the railroad there is a turning loop, so no stops were made the entire trip.  Our power for the day was former Denver & Rio Grande Western K-27 class "mudhen" number 464.  This is only one of two class K-27 locomotives left.  The locomotive was formerly at Knott's Berry Farm, and came to Michigan in the early 1980s.  The railroad also operates a former Alaska Railroad narrow gauge 4-6-0, number 152.


The ride was pleasant and the volunteers and employees were friendly.  Overall, a great way to wrap up a day in Flint!

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