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   Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage  
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Coopersville & Marne Railway


Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce


 


 

 
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WMSIH

The Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage (WMSIH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making recreational railroading in Western Michigan accessible to disabled residents and visitors.

The WMSIH was formed in 2001. A 14 year-old boy named Ryan Byle put the inital plans for the Society on paper June 30, 2000. Ryan's father, Tom Byle, was the president of the C&M Railway at the time. Ryan's mom, Jan, was the booking agent and took reservations for train rides and charter trips.

Ryan was an enthusiastic railroad fan and became the unofficial "adopted" grandson of the many retired C&M volunteers. Ryan frequently helped his dad prepare the trains for excursion runs inviting friends to experience riding the rails as well.

When the runs were done Ryan would join his father and the other volunteers for something to eat at the local cafe. Here the group would dream about what the future of the railroad would look like. They envisioned a non-profit organization that could raise funds to preserve and restore rail equipment as well as the industrial equipment that had been used to build the infrastructure of Western Michigan.

On his own initiative, Ryan put these dreams/plans into writing. Shortly after doing this, in August of 2000, Ryan died from a heart condition while helping his father prepare a train for one of it's runs. Memorial donations were targeted to form the Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage. Ryan Byle's "Future Plans" document has been the guiding force for the Society and Ryan remains as a perpetual member of the WMSIH.

For more information on the Industrial Heritage Society and to read Ryan's Future Plans document, visit the WMSIH web site at www.coopersville.com/industrialheritage.

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Steelcase Foundation Grant
The Steelcase Foundation has provided a $25,000 challenge grant towards this project. The challenge requires that the balance of the project total be met with in-kind contributions or donations by October 31, 2008.
The project is currently at 90% of funding ($114,000 of the $125,000 project). Donations and/or in-kind contributions count towards the challenge. Please contact any officers or board members to donate time and/or materials. Donations may be mailed to the WMSIH offices at PO Box 273, Coopersville, MI 49404.

Coopersville Area Community Foundation
This project is made possible by multiple grants from the Coopersville Area Community Foundation Community Action Fund. The Coopersville Area Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.


An initial $500 grant provided funding for the purchase of the project railcar. A recent $1,000 grant will provide funding for the renovation and installation of a handicap lift and related equipment.

ALL Aboard Campaign
Below is a poster for the ALL Aboard Campaign. Click on the image for a larger version.


 

 

 
             
Handicap Accessible Railcar Fundraising Campaign