BLISSFIELD — Blissfield’s long-running dinner train service appears to have reached the end of the line, with officials confirming it is no longer financially viable due to rising costs and freight scheduling conflicts.
During the July Downtown Development Authority meeting, officials reported that the company operating the train is facing significant overtime costs. Because the same crew must manage both freight and dinner services, shifting between roles has become too expensive.
Officials said the company would need to pay conductors and engineers overtime to pull the dinner train off the tracks during regular freight operations. Despite strong community interest and economic benefits for the village, the operator has indicated the train will be relocated. No final destination has been announced.
The service had previously been seen as a unique tourism draw and was part of long-term revitalization hopes. The loss has prompted renewed interest in promoting the River Raisin as a natural tourism asset.
With the dinner train’s future uncertain, village officials say they will shift focus toward riverfront development and other heritage-based tourism strategies.