Oden State Fish Hatchery Rail Car

Fun fact: Nearly all the brown and rainbow trout stocked across Michigan come from the state’s fish hatchery system, and the Oden State Fish Hatchery plays a huge role in that.

We were proud to contribute to that story by repainting both the replica of the historic rail car and the visitor center at the Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, a 55-acre site just outside Petoskey that welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The rail car represents a true artifact of Michigan history, once used in the early 1900s to transport live fish by rail to lakes and rivers throughout the state.

Before repainting the rail car, we sandblasted the surface to remove decades of built-up rust, flaking paint, and environmental wear. This step was critical to ensure proper adhesion of the new coatings and to extend the life of the finish. Our team then honored the original look and color scheme, while using durable, high-performance coatings designed to withstand Michigan’s elements and keep these structures looking great for years to come.

We’re proud to have played a small role in helping protect and preserve a place where education, conservation, and history all come together.