1976 Penn Central's Last Month of Operations Charlotte1301 viewsFar left 2-24-76 of EB PC freight passing through Charlotte headed towards Jackson. Passing the GTW interlocking approach signal at MP J34.1 Signal Mast still remains to this day at this location.
Top right 2-24-76 Heading EB for the M-50 Hwy Crossing. In the last months of service speed was about 10 mph.
Middle right 2-24-76 Caboose approaching M-50 Hwy Crossing, last PC trains sometimes put locos on both ends to help switching.
Bottom right 2-24-76 Conductor on Caboose was very concerned about derailing as I remember. He also stated that PC could have made money on the Jackson-GR branch had they wanted to. He was very sad over the end as you can tell in his face.Larry G
Early Amtrak Chalotte, MI534 viewsShots from 2-28-76 of Amtrak at the curve MP 202 Charlotte WB. Even caught a 1972 Oldsmobile Omega in the lower shot.
Caught the SP 4449 Daylight last week at same location, now single track and no spur as seen beside the Oldsmobile.Larry G
1976 Penn Central's Last Month of Operations Charlotte533 viewsTop 3-18-76 Looking EB on Penn Central Towards the GTW diamond at Charlotte. GTW depot still had a weekday agent at the time.
Middle 2-17-76 PC freight crossing Oliver St. Charlotte..Old MC Freight House to the right in the photo. Flashing signals now removed at this crossing.
Botton 2-17-76 PC Freight clears Pleasant ST crossing...Notice Wabash box car ahead of caboose.Larry G
Thornapple River Trestle Near Vermontville on Penn Cental514 viewsThese two photos were taken 4-10-76 after PC ceased operations. Looking WB towards Vermontville at track which once maintained to 60 mph service through here. At the end about 10 mph on this Jackson to Grand Rapid Branch. Trestle is still in place today off Shaytown Rd in western Eaton County. See digital photos in this album of current views.Larry G
GTW takes over PC Charlotte Branch 1976507 viewsFar left 4-6-76 GTW EB at J34.1 Interlocking Approach Signal
Top 4-7-76 GTW moves through old MC/PC yard. Boxcar in lower left on Fulton Lumber Siding.
Center 4-7-76 Switching by the loading dock in the yard.
Bottom 4-7-76 by former MC depot...Home signal of GTW crossing just visible behind box car.Larry G
GTW takes over PC line at Charlotte April 1976494 viewsMOW photos 4-10-76 of GTW workers replacing ties at joints in old MC/PC yard at Charlotte. As I recall many of the ties were rotted and sunken in the mud. There was much concern of derailments here at the end of PC and start up of the GTW era. GTW replaced the ties on most track joints on the former main through the yard at this time.
Train photos
Top 4-6-76 GTW freight EB crossing M-50 with cars for the FB mill.
Bottom 4-6-76 Locos later in the day at the FB Grain Elevators during switching movements.Larry G
American Freedom Train Passes Charlotte464 viewsMy notes on the photos say July 1976 south of Charlotte as the AFT special passes WB on GTW near East Kalamo Rd. Notice the coal hopper behind the tool car. Larry G
Deck view of former PC Thornapple River Trestle452 viewsCompare this view with my earlier scan of trestle with rails. You are looking WB towards Vermontville. The rails are gone and decay is underway. Still a nice hike on a crisp fall day....no bugs!!!! It has been over 33 years since the last train crept through here at 10mph!!Larry G
GTW Operatons Charlotte 1976428 viewsTop 4-6-76 GTW train is moving off the main line onto the interchange track at Charlotte to work former PC line.
Middle 4-6-76 Same train is crossing Cochran Ave. going into the lumber yard on the interchange track.
Bottom 4-6-76 Locomotive moving train through Johnson's Lumber Company on interchange track facing NE.Larry G
Former Penn Central Trestle on Thornapple River419 viewsFall view of the PC trestle near Shaytown Rd in Western Eaton County. Nature is reclaiming the grade. In this view from the river bank you are looking north-west.Larry G
CHS Dinner Train419 views10-13-09 Finds the CHS Dinner Train just passing the old approach signal at MP J34.1 on the old NYC/PC grade between Jackson and Grand Rapids. A senior tour bus group is enjoying a crisp fall ride along this route today. The signal mast is a remnant from the time the line crossed the GTW mainline at Charlotte.Larry G
GTW Operations Charlotte 1976409 viewsTop 4-6-76 GTW Freight coming off the interchange track at Johnson's Lumber and pulling WB on former PC tracks at Charlotte. Former PC Mainline in foreground beside home interlocking signal.
Middle 4-6-76 Same Train as above is crossing the GTW main heading EB on old PC track in closeup.
Bottom 4-6-76 View from a distance showing crossing at grade and GTW order board signals at Charlotte. At this time some trains would get orders here.Larry G
Badorder Tank car399 viewsAn interesting notation on one of the tank cars in storage on CHSLarry G
Approach Signal Remains on CHS398 views8-9-09 Remains of approach signal on CHS. MP J34.1 Compare with views from 1976. Mast remains but target and MP sign gone. Also brush has over taken the ROW since 1976. There is a school playground behind the brush line.Larry G
Autumn view NYC-PC Grade Eaton County, MI392 views10-18-09 Looking west on former NYC-PC grade in Eaton County, MI.
Location: Kinsel Hwy northwest of Charlotte.Larry G
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