Lost Railway Museum

05/28/2026

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Kenneth F. Soderbeck (1936–2026), a talented craftsman, historian, and longtime volunteer who generously shared his knowledge and skills with countless preservation projects. Known for his remarkable work in fire apparatus restoration, metal fabrication, sign painting, and interurban restoration, Ken played an important role in preserving transportation history throughout Michigan.

At the Lost Railway Museum, Ken volunteered his time and expertise to restoration efforts and historical interpretation, always willing to mentor others and lend a helping hand. His passion for craftsmanship and authenticity inspired many volunteers and visitors alike.

Beyond his incredible talents, Ken will be remembered for his kindness, storytelling, and dedication to preserving history for future generations. His contributions leave a lasting legacy within the museum community and among all who had the privilege to know him.

If you knew Ken or were touched by his work, please share a memory in the comments.

05/27/2026

Come give history a spin for yourself on our Velocipede exhibit: lostrailwaymuseum.org

05/20/2026

The Velocipede Exhibit is open to every visitor — no experience needed, no age minimum. It's a piece of real railway history you can actually climb on and try for yourself.

05/18/2026

This is what history looks like before it becomes an exhibit.

Our restoration crew brings together skills you’d usually only find in a professional shop: metalwork, electrical, woodworking, historical research, and a stubborn refusal to let something important disappear. Luckily for this cow catcher, our crew happens to know how to drive a forklift too.

Most of them are volunteers. They are all remarkably talented and passionate about saving history from rust and decay.

Every piece in this building began with someone who saw its potential, and refused to let it go. Next time you visit, ask about it because our team genuinely loves sharing.

Stop by to see the transformative results for yourself. Plan a visit here: lostrailwaymuseum.org

What part of the restoration process are you most curious about? Ask us anything!

05/12/2026

Ever wonder "Where am I going to fit all these guests?"

There's a good chance you stopped by but never noticed the nice banquet room tucked away in the Lost Railway Museum. With space for up to 60 guests, a full catering kitchen, and a projector + screen, saving this post is a favor to future you.🎁

Reunions, birthday parties, business meetings, nonprofit fundraisers, we've helped host it all.

Curious about availability? We'd love to have you: https://www.lostrailwaymuseum.org/facility-rental

Know someone looking for an affordable venue this summer or fall? Tag them here.

05/11/2026

You showed up because you believe history matters, and we are touched. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this a day to remember!

Jackson County Free Museum Day was everything we hoped it would be — both familiar faces and a whole lot of people discovering this hidden gem for the first time.

To our friends at Experience Jackson and all the great organizations who participated in this grand celebration of local history, thank you for your collaborative efforts. We sure are proud to be part of this community.

If you missed the big day, here’s a gentle reminder that we’ll be here when you’re ready. View our hours at our website: https://www.lostrailwaymuseum.org/

Drop a note in the comments if you made it out on May 9th. We’d love to know what made the day special for you!

05/09/2026

Today’s the big day! What’s your first stop for Jackson County Free Museum Day? Details in comments…

05/05/2026

Grass Lake is the kind of town where travelers slow down to stay awhile. Lost Railway Museum is one great reason to stop by.

There are plenty of other reasons to stick around for the whole day. One reason is the people. It takes a thriving community to support a museum like ours. People who are passionate, civic-minded and generous. If that wasn't enough, they are friendly too.

If you belong to our local community, thank you! You helped preserve our heritage. You spread the word. You make Grass Lake the place it is today.

If you haven't stopped by in a while, we would love to catch up. Tap here to view open hours: https://www.lostrailwaymuseum.org/

05/03/2026

Fair warning: the "Boland Express" experience tends to get adults even more excited than the kids!

It's a virtual reality ride on a restored railway car from the early 1900's. Once on board, you get immersed into a convincing trip back to the past. Even our most skeptical visitors have left excited to come back and ride it again.

This one-of-a-kind experience can't be found anywhere else, and it's just a few minutes right off of I-94 in Grass Lake, MI.

Want to stop by and see for yourself? Plan your visit: https://www.lostrailwaymuseum.org/museum

Share this post with someone young at heart who needs to come along on your next visit.

04/29/2026

We have some exciting news to share!

Our new Development Director, Chad Kinch, sat down with JTV and Rachel Buchanan from the Jackson Chamber of Commerce to talk all things Jackson County Free Museum Day — coming up Saturday, May 9th, 10am–4pm.

This year is the biggest yet — 15 museums spread across Jackson County, from Walker Tavern near Brooklyn all the way to Dewey School Museum near Waterloo. As Rachel put it: most people think Jackson County has about three museums. Museum Day exists to prove otherwise.

Here’s what’s happening at Lost Railway Museum that day:

🚃 Take a ride on the "Boland Express"

🎁 Enter our on-site prize drawing

🌟 And don’t forget the collectible stickers... only the first 50 visitors will walk away with our exclusive Lost Railway Museum sticker.

If you’ve been meaning to stop in, this is the day!

Just down the street, our friends at the Coe House Museum will also be open so plan to stop by while you’re next door.

🎥 Watch the full JTV interview here: https://youtu.be/0XdD9iIDvOs

🗺️ View the full list of participating museums here: https://www.experiencejackson.com/plan-your-trip/museumday/
Experience Jackson

1 like. "Jackson County Free Museum Day Expands with New Destinations"

04/28/2026

Most visitors see the gleaming finished exhibit. What they don't see are the hours (and sometimes years) that went into saving historical artifacts.

Our top-notch restoration crew brings together skills you'd usually only find in a professional workshop: fabrication, electrical work, historical research, and careful hands. Most of them are volunteers.

Every piece in this museum has someone who fought hard to preserve it. Next time you visit, ask about it. Our team loves sharing how we bring the past to life.

Plan your next visit by tapping here: https://www.lostrailwaymuseum.org/

Which exhibit are you most curious about? Drop your questions for the restoration crew in the comments below.