The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad (GR&I) was formed in 1854.  The modular model layout by the Riverbend Model Railroad Club was started in 2007 in a basement room at Sunset Manor while at the same time the club operated a layout of the Superior Northern in the Grand River Construction Building in Hudsonville.  When the Superior Northern had to be disassemble in November of 2011 the club started to expand the GR&I and operated the railroad until September of 2015 when the decision was made to dismantle the GR&I and rebuild a new Superior Northern layout at the Sunset location.  A portion of the GR&I was retained to operate trains until trains could run on the new Superior Northern.  The last train ran on the modified GR&I in January of 2017 at which time the entire GR&I layout was disassembled and the parts and space used for the new Superior Northern.

Compare the actual picture of the Union Station Train Shed at right to the model created by Gene VanderArk at lower right for the GR&I layout.  While some "modelers license" is used in the construction and operation of the club's layouts we try to stay as prototypical as possible. 

Photos of the Grand Rapids and Indiana (GR&I) Modular Railroad

• Feb. 20, 2017 Last of the GR&I Feb. 20, 2017 Last of the GR&I
• Jake checking his new acquisition. Jake checking his new acquisition.
• Feb. 6, 2017 Jake dismantling the loop Feb. 6, 2017 Jake dismantling the loop
• Bob cleaning track. Bob cleaning track.
• Cal disconnecting the modules. Cal disconnecting the modules.
• Removing the turnouts. Removing the turnouts.
• Checking for salvageable parts. Checking for salvageable parts.
• Jan. 30, 2017 Dismantling the GR&I Jan. 30, 2017 Dismantling the GR&I
• Jan. 16, 2017 Start of Phase II Jan. 16, 2017 Start of Phase II
• Great Grandma enjoying everything! Great Grandma enjoying everything!
• Grandpa and Grandson watching train. Grandpa and Grandson watching train.
• Aug 29, 2016 Bob running the train for visitors. Aug 29, 2016 Bob running the train for visitors.
• Jake and John discussing locomotives Jake and John discussing locomotives
• "The number one priority is ...." "The number one priority is ...."
• "Is this really for me?" "Is this really for me?"
• The old pro! The old pro!
• Look of Aw! Look of Aw!
• Aug 15, 2016 Jake setting up his new locomotive for visitors Aug 15, 2016 Jake setting up his new locomotive for visitors
• Visitor from Sunset Manor Visitor from Sunset Manor
• Bob does not think this is going to be acceptable. Bob does not think this is going to be acceptable.
• Software upgrade Software upgrade
• Look at modified GR&I Look at modified GR&I
• Cleaning the Track Cleaning the Track
• Bridge over the Grand River Bridge over the Grand River
• Is this how it was planned? Is this how it was planned?
• Module Assembly Module Assembly
• Grand Rapids Union Station Train Shed Grand Rapids Union Station Train Shed
• Modeling Group Modeling Group
• GR&I Track Layout GR&I Track Layout
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Click on the Youtube video below to see some trains running on the GR&I.