This Minimum-gauge railway — truly a big backyard railroad —was created by Joanne and Howard Schrader.
 They began construction of the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad station and the 72-foot (22 m) engine house in 1994.
In 1995, seven passenger cars from the Pinconning and Blind River Railroad were restored for use on the line.
The cars are named after area counties and other points of interest in the Huron National Forest.
From 15 April to 2 December 1996, the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad constructed two wooden trestles and a 115-foot (35 m) wooden tunnel.
The longest trestle spans over 220 feet (67 m).
 The railroad meanders through jack pine country near the valleys of the Au Sable River.

The Schraders are publishers, distributors and operators of a railroad catalog.

Trainorders.com reported in 2017 that the Schraders were retiring from operating the railroad and the catalog.
The facility, owners' residence and acreage was listed for sale in 2017, together with the affiliated railroad catalog store.
The railroad was sold, is being refurbished, and will reopen on Memorial Day weekend, 2019.
This Minimum-gauge railway — truly a big backyard railroad —was created by Joanne and Howard Schrader.  They began construction of the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad station and the 72-foot (22 m) engine house in 1994. In 1995, seven passenger cars from the Pinconning and Blind River Railroad were restored for use on the line. The cars are named after area counties and other points of interest in the Huron National Forest. From 15 April to 2 December 1996, the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad constructed two wooden trestles and a 115-foot (35 m) wooden tunnel. The longest trestle spans over 220 feet (67 m).  The railroad meanders through jack pine country near the valleys of the Au Sable River.
The Schraders are publishers, distributors and operators of a railroad catalog.
Trainorders.com reported in 2017 that the Schraders were retiring from operating the railroad and the catalog. The facility, owners' residence and acreage was listed for sale in 2017, together with the affiliated railroad catalog store. The railroad was sold, is being refurbished, and will reopen on Memorial Day weekend, 2019.
Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad