Toonerville Trolley, Michigan's Upper Peninsula Train Ride near Tahquamenon Falls
Ride the Toonerville Trolley in Newberry, Michigan, near Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. See black bears, Sandhill cranes, and eat tasty wild berries. End the trip with a stop at the gift shop and Porta-Potty. The Toonerville Railway is purportedly the longest 24-gauge railway in the United States.
Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat & Toonerville Trolley (8/19/14)
One of the highlights of my trip to the UP was revisiting this 2 foot gauge operation near Newberry. An extra treat was seeing some CN MOW equipment pass through on the old Duluth South Shore & Atlantic main. Soo Junction, where this operation is based out of, was once a major junction on the DSS&A. The stairway to the lower viewing deck encountered a mudslide, so the only view of Tahquamenon Falls I could get was from the upper deck. However, there were a couple sandhill cranes on the journey back! Enjoy the ride!
Here's a link to their website -
Switching on the Toonerville Trolley - Soo Junction, MI. - 1999
PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION: Shot w/Hi8
In 1999 a friend of mine and I were at Soo Junction, MI. and the Toonerville Trolley. This is the longest 2 foot gauge railroad in the United States. After riding the train to the boat landing and back, we watched as the train was put away for the night.
The engines used to pull the trains are Plymouth 5 ton industrial locomotives.
Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tour & the Famous Toonerville Trolley
History and sights of the only train and riverboat tour to Tahquamenon Falls
Toonerville Trolley: Vintage Mid-1950s Soo Junction, MI
This is an 8mm home movie that my Grandpa filmed while on a family vacation to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His name was Robert J. Van Dyke. Born 1908 in Grand Rapids, Michigan; he owned the Van Dyke Studio - a portrait photography business.
Unfortunately there was no date on the reel, but I'm guessing it was filmed around 1954.
The starts out at Tahquamenon Falls at the state park before jumping to the Toonerville Trolley starting point at the 2:28 mark. We get to see a nice shot of the original 5ton, 2ft narrow gauge Plymouth diesel-hydraulic-chain drive locomotive - which was retired in 1955 (not sure of the current whereabouts). The 'Bucky' name that's stenciled on the side of the loco is actually the name of the engineer/driver; who worked for the company for over 30 years!
At the 2:56 mark we pass by the Toonerville Trolley depot. This structure still exists, but I have information on it's history. Was it part of the original standard gauge logging operations? A depot for the adjacent Duluth South Shore and Atlantic Railroad line? Not sure.
At 3:31 the train approaches the Paul Bunyan riverboat; which will take them to the falls. This was the first of what would eventually be three riverboats to share the Paul Bunyan name.
After checking out the falls, the family returns to the starting dock and at the 5:29 mark we see the Tahquamenon riverboat; which had already made the run earlier in the day. She ran from 1938 to 1963.
The Toonerville Trolley and boat tour is still in operation today; run by the Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tours.
Here's some great links for those interested in more history:
A fantastic photo of the original engine; probably taken not long after narrow gauge operations started in 1933:
I've done my best with the history/dates. If anyone has corrections just let me know!
tonnerville train:boat ride tahqueman river
tahquamenon river/falls, toonerville train and boat ride
blog:
Tahquamenon River boat trip part 3 of 6
Passing the Betty B landing, home of the Toonerville Trolley
Boat ride to Tahquamenon Falls, Upper Peninsula, MI, 2013.
Great Getaways: Tahquamenon Falls Winter Aerial Tour
from Great Getaways #1213 Winter In The Soo - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
[Online Travel Planner -
Located in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls State Park offers over 48,000 acres of wilderness to explore, with the mighty Tahquamenon River running through it. Many visitors are drawn to the famous Upper Falls, which at 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide is Michigan's largest waterfall. The Lower Falls, located 4 miles downstream, are equally beautiful with multiple viewing opportunities.
TRIP 2 WISCONSIN UP MICHIGAN TRAIN YARD
CN YARD SOO LINE DRIVE BYE NO TIME TOO STOP