Visit to Coopersville

 While on a recent outing, we stopped at Coopersville, Mich. just west of Grand Rapids.  The first thing to see is a 1902 interurban body from the Grand Rapids Grand Haven and Muskegon.  It is now on display at the Coopersville historical society under a roof.

This car is unusual in having an open rear platform.  The body is in good condition and is being worked on.  Unfortunately there was no one there at the time to talk to.  I'd like to know more about its history.

Of course, it's missing its seats and is sitting on CTA 4000 trucks, but as bodies go, this one is excellent.  It still has its bolsters and shallow truss rods, for instance.  

Barney and Smith built many early interurban cars.  The only preserved bodies were built between 1900 and 1903.  And this is certainly the best.

And it's displayed next to the interurban substation, which serves as the historical society's museum.   This is a very nice arrangement.

Across the street is the Coopersville and Marne, a tourist line which operates to the town of Marne, about seven miles away.  They were running two trips that day, but we missed the last one.  Perhaps we'll get to take a ride some other time.

There are two locomotives in the yard, not really on display.  This is a Canadian National 4-6-0  (MLW 1913) that used to belong to Nelson Blount and was part of the Steamtown collection.

And this was originally Virginia Central #300, a 2-6-0 built in 1924 by Alco.  It's been on display in a number of different locations over the years.

And in the train are two Lackawanna MU trailers, both repainted into new paint schemes and lettered "Car 1" and "Car 2".

There's a small engine house, but no indoor storage.

Restaurant Recommendation:  By the way, if you ever happen to be in the area of Michigan City for some reason, we really like the Duneland Beach Inn, about five miles east of downtown.  But you'll need a GPS to find it.