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The Huckleberry Railroad
Scenic 35-minute Train Rides
May 29 ~ September 6, 2010
6140 Bray Rd., Flint, MI 48505
Wednesday thru Sunday & Holidays - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer Train Departures:
May 29 - 31 and from June 5 - September 6, 2010:
Weekdays (Wed, Thurs, Fri): 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00
Weekends (Sat & Sun): 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00

On selected and busy days additional trains may be added.

Click here for complete Admission Rates and Operating Hours for the Huckleberry Railroad and Crossroads Village

History of the Huckleberry Railroad Line

The Huckleberry Railroad was so named because it ran so slow; a person could jump off the train, pick huckleberries and jump back on the train with minimum effort. 

The Huckleberry Railroad began its history in 1857 as part of the Flint Pere Marquette Railroad Company. The Flint Pere Marquette Railroad Company was organized on June 22, 1857. The branch of the Pere Marquette from Flint to Otter Lake (15 miles) was constructed under the Flint River Railroad Charter and opened in 1872. It was later known as the Otter Lake Branch. Eventually the track was extended to another 4.5 miles from Otter Lake to Fostoria, for a total of 19.5 miles from Flint to Fostoria. 

Pere Marquette was absorbed by the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Railroad. The C&O merged and other railroad lines merged with the B&O to become the Chessie System. The Chessie System is now CSX.

Primary Locomotives of the Huckleberry Railroad, #2 and #464

Currently, the Huckleberry Railroad owns 7 locomotives. Of the 7 locomotives, #2 and #464 are the primary locomotives that serve the Huckleberry Railroad. The Huckleberry Railroad #2, formally known as #152 locomotive, is a 4-6-0 (wheel arrangement) built in June of 1920 by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA for the Alaska Engineering Commission (AEC). The AEC purchased #2 and the Tanana Valley Railroad to further its task of building the Alaska Railroad. 

The Alaska Railroad was a three-foot gauge railroad and ran out of Fairbanks to the coal mines of Nenana, and the gold rush town of Chatanika. Once the standard gauge main line of Alaska Railroad was completed, the AEC dissolved, and its property transferred over to the Alaska Railroad. 

In 1943, #152 was transferred from storage at the Alaska Railroad to the US War Department, in Seattle, WA. At some point later, #152 was sold to the Davison Scrap Company in Stockton, CA. It was purchased by Hal Wilmunder and relocated to the Antelope & Western in Roseville, CA and renumbered as #2. In 1963, #2 went to the Camino, Cable, & Northern. When Camino, Cable, & Northern shut down in 1974, Mr. Wilmunder sold #2 to Keystone Locomotive Works. In 1975, the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission purchased #2 and began restoration. 

After restoration was completed on #2 locomotive in 1976, it began revenue service at the Huckleberry Railroad. #2 is the primary locomotive for the Huckleberry Railroad. And of the locomotives operating at the beginning of the Huckleberry Railroad, #2 is the only locomotive still in active service. 

After proudly serving the Huckleberry Railroad for 14 years as the primary locomotive, #2 was in need of a major repair and overhaul. In January of 1990, #2 went down for service, and the newly rebuilt locomotive #464 went into service. 

There were several changes made to #2 locomotive. A new set of windows were cut and installed into the front of the cab. The cab was stained with a deeper color to give it a more realistic look and the red paint on the locomotive was changed to black, to give the locomotive cab a more traditional appearance. After four years of repair and restoration, in December of 1994, #2 began regular service and continues to this day.

The other primary locomotive, #464 was built in 1903 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. #464 was the final “mudhen” in an order of 15 locomotives delivered with Vauclain Compound cylinders, Stephenson Valve Gear, and a slope back tender. The Rio Grande, a few years later, converted #464 to simple cylinders and slide valves. Later in its life #464 was again converted to its third set of cylinders, now with Walschaerts Valve Gear and piston valves.

The #464 spent most if its life under the ownership of the Rio Grande, It hauled freight and may have performed helper duties. Also, during its time with the Rio Grande it served in the Rio Grande Southern in the 1940’s and was used on the Silverton train, out of Durango, CO in the 1950’s. In 1973, Knotts Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA, purchased #464 and used it for one year. Due to low clearance of the counterweights, and a declining mechanical state #464 was sidelined.

In 1981, the Huckleberry Railroad acquired #464 from Knotts Berry Farm and started restoration immediately. By 1989 restoration of #464 was completed and ready to enter service. In January of 1990, #2 went down for major rebuilding, and #464 became the Huckleberry’s primary locomotive.

In the fall of 1994, #464’s sword hanger (part of the suspension system) broke. At this point it was taken out service for repair of the sword hanger and replacement of locomotive tires and repair to the water tank.

Huckleberry Railroad Coaches and Cars

As of January 2003, the Huckleberry Railroad own and operate 7 locomotives, two cabooses, one hopper car, and motor car (Speeder). Each and every coach, caboose, and car is very unique in its origins and history. Ride the Huckleberry Railroad and see history come to life!

Huckleberry Railroad Rentals

If you are interested in renting the Huckleberry Railroad, please call 810-736-7100, ext.6. The rental fee includes a 35 minute ride that takes you by some of the most scenic areas around Mott Lake, Crossroads Village, and the Genesee Recreation Area. Rates are as follows:

$3,500.00 minimum, non operating day  ~  $600.00 minimum, operating day