Help Us Preserve History and put smiles on the faces of future generations
Imagine: nestled in the heart of Skandia, the Toonerville Trolley standing proud, a living relic of Upper Peninsula history. This isn’t just about moving a piece of iron and wood—it’s about preserving stories: the laughter of families riding through misty forests, the rhythmic chug over tracks, the sense of wonder in seasonal colors. For many in Newberry and the surrounding communities, the Trolley is a touchstone—a reminder of early 20th-century adventure, tourism, and the railroad’s role in connecting remote places. It’s more than an artifact; it’s a heritage that anchors identity.
Bringing the Trolley to Skandia will give it new life as part of the Neo Wilson Railway, a growing hub of railroad preservation and community events. The Neo Wilson Railway is dedicated to keeping the spirit of rail travel alive, offering a place where history and hands-on experiences meet. By joining the Trolley with this effort, we create not only a destination but also a living classroom—where children can climb aboard, hear stories of the past, and see how small lines like Toonerville connected people, industries, and towns across Michigan’s rugged landscape.
To make this vision real, we need your help. Funds are required to safely relocate the Trolley—transport, track adaptation, and site preparation in Skandia—as well as ongoing restoration: structural work, paint, mechanical systems, and interpretive displays. Every donation helps build this future: whether $25, $100, or $1,000, your gift preserves a one-of-a-kind railway experience. Contribute today and join us in bringing the Toonerville Trolley to the Neo Wilson Railway in Skandia, ensuring its whistles continue echoing through Michigan’s woods for generations to come.
The Wilson Family operates Liberty Farms Neo Wilson Railway in rememberance of their son Neo Wilson.
The first 50,000 to donate $5 will receive a free ride when the train re-opens
For larger donations or info on other donation methods, please call (906) 942-7007
A Brief History of the Toonerville Trolley
The Tahquamenon Falls Famous Toonerville Trolley and Riverboat Tour was started in 1927 by partners Joe Beach and Robert Hunter. Beach was a conservation officer on the Tahquamenon River and often got requests from people who wanted to ride along on his daily river patrol that went from north of Newberry to the rapids a half-mile above the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. It was a 14-hour round trip. Once at the rapids, you could then hike through the virgin forest to view the falls. At that time, there was no other way to reach the falls.
Joe envisioned a tour to the Upper Falls, but he needed a way to shorten the trip and to have access to a wider and deeper section of the river to navigate a larger boat. He partnered with Robert Hunter, a lumberman who had a rail line running from Soo Junction to the Tahquamenon River. The rail was a standard-size track, and they fitted a Model T truck with train wheels and a cart. Joe and Robert could carry 30 passengers across the rail to the river where they boarded the “Betty B” for the 21-mile cruise to the rapids above the falls.
The partners soon needed a way to carry more passengers on the popular tour. The partners bought a 24-inch gauge track, a locomotive and four flat cars, and in 1933, converted the track. This rail line is the longest of its kind in the country and one of the oldest. The company is still family-owned and operated by Robert Hunter’s great-grandson, Captain Kris Stewart and his family.
