Take a Train to See Fall Colors? You Can in Coopersville this Fall!

With the first day of fall this Saturday and the weather getting cooler, we're all anticipating the gorgeous fall colors of reds, yellows, and orange.

Color tours are always fun as the leaves change beginning up north usually around the first of October and moving down to our neck of the woods by the second and third weeks.

So, should you jump in the car and drive around? You can, but you can also hop a train.

Friends of Coopersville & Marne Railway has operated passenger trains between Coopersville and Marne for the past 35 years. It's not a long trip, about seven miles of track originally built in 1858, but they don’t go very fast, and that’s the whole point. You just sit back, relax and enjoy a bygone era of travel.

Not only can you see the fall colors, on most trains, musicians and actors get everyone  involved in lots of fun during their 90-minute trip back in time.

They call it the PUMPKIN TRAIN and it sells out quickly so you better get your tickets early. The Famous Pumpkin and goofy sidekicks entertain with crazy antics and kids are able to chose a pumpkin from their pumpkin patch at the end of their ride. What fun!

There are different choices to ride the Pumpkin Train.

You can take the Coach Class with newly renovated vintage railroad passenger cars over 100 years old decorated for fall. It's heated, with a restroom.

Or for a little more, take the Premium Class car with table and chair seating, four to a table. They'll serve local cider (Hill Brother’s Orchard) and Coopersville’s famous “Delly Belly” pumpkin theme donuts. It's heated, with a restroom.

Then, there is the Caboose Class. This would be fun and you know kids will love this. Okay, adults too. You get to ride in the red caboose! You had better hit the station restrooms before your ride because there aren't facilities in the caboose.

And then there is the one lucky rider per train that can do the Cab Ride! You get to ride up in the 70-year-old locomotive in a “jump side,” seat.

Now that is a color tour done well!