Michigan rail map - PRE 70s

[msurailfan]

Hey all.

So I've been working in Detroit for about a year now and a few months ago ran across a video of passenger trains in and out of Detroit from the 50s and 60s. One shot was taken downtown on what I have since learned to be a now non-existent viaduct right along Jefferson between the bridge and Joe Louis Arena. Seeing as that's my place of employment, I've been particularly interested in where that track ended up. I've found the last remnants of the ramp up to the viaduct, but I'm curious as to where the depot was at the end of those tracks (assuming there was one). I've also seen pictures of passenger runs from the side opposite RenCen (upriver from RenCen toward GP) and would like to know what tracks those were and where they headed.

So...gist of all this is: Is there anywhere where I could find a detailed rail map of the metro D area from pre-1970 that would give me a good idea where these led? And if not, does anybody know where the depot for the tracks on the viaduct along Jefferson was? If the greatest building ever made, Cobo Convention Center, had anything to do with breaking up Detroit's passenger rail routes, I swear I'm going to.....be very mad.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[ConrailDetr​oit]

It was Fort Street Union Depot. I think the Wabash Cannonball was the last train to use the station in 1971 right before Amtrak took over.

[msurailfan]

It was Fort Street Union Depot. I think the Wabash Cannonball was the last train to use the station in 1971 right before Amtrak took over.

Thanks. But where exactly was the depot? Close to cobo i.e. where Joe Louis is now? closer to Fort?

[M.D.Bentley]

Fort st and 3rd st across from the 1st Pres church.

[KenB]

If you come to the Michigan Ralroad Club meeting on June 6, 2012 there are many people there you can talk to that can answer your questions.
MRC meeting on june 6, 2012 at Henry Ford Centenial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave, Dearborn. Meeting starts at 1900.

[PAT.C]

here is the depot and church [and a helicopter]...,
http://photos.mycapture.com/DETN/1370997/39102509E.jpg
today's view...
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=42.3277222&lo ... 18&l=0&m=h

[railroadchoad]

Currently the site of Wayne County Comm. College.

[Michael]

USGS Topo maps are pretty good and all over the Internet. Many different ones from all through the 20th century.
Here is part of downtown from the late 1960's

Here is the same are in the late 1940's

[SW]

Thanks for posting those, Michael!

[conrailmike]

Along with the location of the station, these show the Union Belt of Detroit. Neat maps.

http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/ ... /FSUD.html

[zintac]

http://www.clas.wayne.edu/photos/ap_index.htm#detroit

DTE aerial Photos from detroit back to 1949.

Very different place back then. I recommend the 600 dpi images, you can zoom really close. Granted there 60+ years old but still good quality

Zintac

@ ConrailMike. Been to that site 100's of times and never seen these maps. Thanks!!

[msurailfan]

Awesome stuff! Thanks everyone for all the help, maps, pictures. PAT C, that picture is exactly what I was looking for! I'd love to travel back in time and see it in action.

[trnwatcher]

Very cool maps. Gonna spend sometime zooming in on these I can see....