Note: There will be no Ontario Northland excursion in 2026. The RR is working on several infrastructure improvement projects this year and will not be able to host us. They hope to host us again in 2027.
March 15, 2026 - Great Lakes Railcars Annual Meeting
The GLR Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday March 15, 2026 starting at 11:00AM EDT at the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Monon, Indiana. We have reserved the Private Banquet Room for lunch and our business meeting. This building also houses the Monon Connection Train Museum, and we will be provided with a guided tour after our meeting. Additional details about the venue can be found here. GLR will provide lunch and museum entry for all members that wish to attend. Please RSVP to Brad Mangan if you plan to attend so that we can provide a headcount for the restaurant.April 12, 2026 - East Troy Railroad Museum
Great Lakes Railcars. Work Detail from East Troy to Mukwonago, 7 miles one-way, pre-season trash pickup. No run fee except donation to the Museum. 10 car maximum. To register contact EC David Otte 920-246-2103.April 18, 2026 - French Lick Scenic Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars. 50 mile round trip from French Lick, IN to Jasper, IN on the French Lick Scenic Railway. Fee $70. For details contact EC Andy Sargent by text at 812-525-4856 or email. Registration info will be sent upon request. Registration material must be completed and returned to EC by April 11th, no exceptions. Seat Belts are required!
April 19, 2026 - Whitewater Valley Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars. Connersville IN, to Metamora, IN along the historic Whitewater canal. Appx 40 RT miles. Trip fee $55. If interested, please contact EC Andy Sargent by email, or text 812-525-4856. Registration info will be sent upon request. Registration material must be completed and mailed in by April 11th, no exceptions.
May 16-17, 2026 and August 22-23, 2026 - Indiana Northeastern Railroad
Great Lakes Railcars will host a 164 mile excursion from South Milford, IN, to Coldwater, MI and return. Seton will be at South Milford Grain on Friday afternoon from 3-5PM. On Saturday, we will set-on any remaining cars beginning at 6:45AM local (Eastern) time, with a safety meeting at 7:45AM, and an estimated departure at 8:00AM. We will proceed east to Edon, OH for a break and refreshments from the Volunteer Fire Department.
We will then travel west to Steubenville Junction and take the main line north toward Coldwater, MI. We are planning to stop for lunch in Angola, IN at the Trine University Campus Center (which is right next to the tracks).
After lunch, we will proceed north to Hillsdale, MI for our afternoon break. There is a Marathon and a Kroger fuel station within a short walk. You may wish to purchase fuel at this time, as our overnight location in Coldwater is not close to fuel stations.
From Hillsdale, we will travel to the Coldwater station, turn our railcars, and proceed back east about 2 miles, stopping just west of the I-69 overpass. It is a short walk to the hotel (up a driveway, through a tree line, to the hotel parking lot), but we have also arranged bus transportation to make several trips around the block for those who would rather ride.
Total miles for Saturday will be approximately 95.
Dinner on Saturday night will be on your own and there are several restaurants within a short walk of the hotel (fast food type - KFC and Taco Bell). There are sit down restaurants located a little bit further (Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebees), but within easy walking distance.
On Sunday, breakfast will be available in the hotel starting at 5:30AM. The bus will start making round trips from the hotel to our railcars starting at 6:45AM. You can also walk to your railcar (through a tree line, down a driveway) if desired. You need to be at your railcar by 7:30AM. We plan to have our safety meeting at 7:45AM and will depart around 8:00AM. We will travel to Hillsdale for a morning break (Burger King, McDonalds). If you need to purchase fuel, please do so at this stop.
We will then continue south to Angola, IN, where we are planning a short restroom break at the Trine University Campus Center.
We will then continue south to Steubenville Junction, where we will turn our railcars, then proceed west to South Milford for set-off. We anticipate arrival at South Milford around 2:00PM. Total miles for Sunday will be approximately 69.
The fee for this excursion is $375, which includes the RR fee plus Saturday lunch at Trine University and Saturday night hotel accomodation in Coldwater, MI. To allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the INE this year, please choose either the May or August date when signing up. You can also request to be put on the waitlist for the other date if you wish. There is a 35 car limit for each excursion.
EC Brad Mangan.
May 29-30, 2026 - Great Lakes Central Railroad
This year, the Great Lakes Central excursion will take place from May 29-30, from Cadillac to Petoskey, Michigan and return, for a total of 198 track miles. The cost is $550 and includes the Railroad Fee, 1 night hotel accommodation in Petoskey with breakfast, snacks at breaks in Manton on Friday and the Rock of Kingsley on Saturday. There is a 35 car limit due to hotel availability.
Details (as of today, subject to change)
Thursday May 28th
Seton will be in Cadillac, MI from 3-5 PM. You will need to reserve your own hotel in Cadillac on Thursday night.
Friday May 29th
We will seton any remaining cars starting at 6:45 AM. Safety meeting at 7:45 AM. Morning break with snacks and coffee in Manton. Lunch on your own in Kalkaska. Afternoon break in Boyne Falls, where you can purchase fuel. When we arrive in Petoskey, a bus will transport us to the hotel. There are several restaurants within walking distance for dinner. Dinner is on your own.
Saturday May 30th
After breakfast at the hotel, the bus will take us from the hotel to the railroad station. Morning break in Boyne Falls, where you can purchase fuel. Lunch on your own in Kalkaska. We will take the spur toward Traverse City, stopping in Kingsley for afternoon break. Then we will return to Cadillac for setoff.
EC Brad Mangan.
June 20-28, 2026 - Hudson Bay Railway
This year, the Hudson Bay Railway excursion will take place from June 20-28, from The Pas to Churchill, Manitoba and return, for a total of 1140 track miles. The cost is $3000 USD and includes the Railroad Fee, 7 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, box lunches (except day 1), dinners on both nights in Gillam, fuel for your railcar, and other items listed below. Canadian participants may pay in local currency at seton (at the exchange rate at that time). There is a 25 car limit due to hotel availability. We will be bringing 2 railcar trailers with portable toilets along with us so that we have them for breaks in the wilderness.
Details (as of today, subject to change)
June 20th
Seton will be in The Pas, Manitoba in the afternoon. At 7PM, there will be a mandatory safety meeting hosted by the railroad for all participants (operators and passengers) at a conference room in the Kikiwak Hotel. Participants must reserve their own hotel in The Pas on June 20th. There are several hotels in town to choose from (Kikiwak Hotel, Wescana Inn, Andersen Inn, etc).
June 21st
We will travel 230 miles from The Pas to Thompson. Participants need to bring their own lunch for this day. When we arrive in Thompson, a bus will transport us to the hotel. There are several restaurants within walking distance for dinner. Dinner is on your own. We will refuel your railcar at the end of the day.
June 22nd
After breakfast at the hotel, the bus will take us from the hotel to the railroad station. Box lunches will be provided. We will travel 156 miles to Gillam. The hotel is next to the tracks. Dinner will be provided at the hotel. We will refuel your railcar at the end of the day.
June 23rd
Breakfast and box lunches will be provided at the hotel. We will travel 184 miles to Churchill. The hotel is next to the tracks. There is a restaurant at the hotel, and others within walking distance. Dinner is on your own. We will refuel your railcar at the end of the day.
June 24th
This is rest day #1. We have rented a van to shuttle participants to various sightseeing places in town. Breakfast is provided at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own. There are many sightseeing opportunities in Churchill.
June 25th
This is rest day #2. We have rented a van to shuttle participants to various sightseeing places in town. Breakfast is provided at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own. There are many sightseeing opportunities in Churchill.
June 26th
Breakfast and box lunches will be provided at the hotel. We will travel 184 miles to Gillam. The hotel is next to the tracks. Dinner will be provided at the hotel. We will refuel your railcar at the end of the day.
June 27th
Breakfast and box lunches will be provided at the hotel. We will travel 156 miles to Thompson. When we arrive in Thompson, a bus will transport us to the hotel. There are several restaurants within walking distance for dinner. Dinner is on your own. We will refuel your railcar at the end of the day.
June 28th
After breakfast at the hotel, the bus will take us from the hotel to the railroad station. Box lunches will be provided. We will travel 230 miles to The Pas and setoff. Participants must reserve their own hotels in The Pas on June 28th. There are several hotels in town to choose from (Kikiwak Hotel, Wescana Inn, Andersen Inn, etc). It is recommended to stay in The Pas that night to rest before starting home the next day.
Mechanically Sound Motorcar !
One of the things needed to make this trip successful is for each operator to be sure their motorcar is mechanically sound. Please make sure your motorcar is capable of maintaining track speed for several hours per day. On the first and last day we will be travelling 230 miles, and will need all participants to maintain track speed.
EC Brad Mangan.
*Save the Date* - August 11-12, 2026 - Agawa Canyon Railroad
Planned but not yet confirmed. Due to railroad scheduling, we will only be able to hold a 2 day excursion this year. Day 1 will be Sault Ste. Marie to Hawk Junction, with an overnight at the hotel in Wawa. Day 2 will be Hawk Junction to Sault Ste. Marie and setoff. 35 car limit. EC Brad Mangan.
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