The Clinton Northern Railway is holding their first RIDE for the RAILWAY Saturday, October 6, starting at 9AM at the St. Johns depot, 107 E. Railroad St., located adjacent to the DNR – planned Rails to Trails bike trail through St Johns. Riders will choose to ride a course of 20, 40 or 60 miles, beginning and ending at the depot. Great food will be available at the end of the ride. Entry fee is $20.00 per person.
The proceeds from the ride will benefit the restoration of the historic railcars owned by Clinton Northern Railway, a branch of Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC).
Three of the cars are currently in place beside the depot and can be toured on Sunday afternoons, 1 – 3PM, or by calling Gary or Jenny McCampbell at 989-224-6134.
The railway also owns the Sault Ste. Marie, which is one of the few remaining wooden sleeper cars from 1902. Belying its rough exterior, portions of the Marie’s original, elegant interior remain intact. Upon restoration, she will join the other cars as part of the railway museum beside the rail-trail.
Entry forms are available at the CCAC Art Gallery, 215 N. Clinton St., St. Johns. Or register before the ride beginning at 8:30AM. For more information, call Jenny McCampbell, 989-224-1634, Marti Cooper 989-224-1827 or Beth Smith 989-224-6629.
The Clinton County Arts Council receives a portion of its funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts, through a competitive grant program.