Working on the MAL

[Michael]

My in laws got me this 5 DVD set called "The World's Greatest Railroads" and the COE/MAL's Dinner Train was featured on it

Is this the DVD set that you're talking about? http://www.amazon.com/The-Worlds-Greatest-Railroads-5-pk/dp/B000XLQH9O/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/182-1451161-5504537

What other Railroads are featured in the set? How much North America is featured? Is it worth getting?
I already miss COE/MAL!!!!

That is the one. I am not sure it is $30 good but it is decent. the segment on the COE was just the Dinner Train and was shot over 10 years ago and is pretty short compared to the others. It mainly focused on the inside of the train; the entertainment and food, etc...
There is some other good stuff on the other DVD's, about 15 railroads featured on each of the 5 DVD's from all over the world though mostly the US. There is small gauge stuff, lots of model railroads, trolley cars, cable cars, subways, steam, diesel and bullet trains, etc.. The COE was the only Michigan one. With all the free stuff on the Internet it may not be worth it. The reviews I see online are not good although I am not complaining as I got it free.
If you get it you should go the USED route through Amazon. It is half the price and they are usually just like new.

[Robertrains]

The COE was the only Michigan one. With all the free stuff on the Internet it may not be worth it. The reviews I see online are not good although I am not complaining as I got it free.
If you get it you should go the USED route through Amazon. It is half the price and they are usually just like new.

I have so many videos of trains—I don't really need more! It would be nice to have one of COE though! How long is the COE (Michigan) segment of the video? Did they have the F7A #725? That train looked spectacular when I watched it personally in January 1998!!!!

[Michael]

The COE was the only Michigan one. With all the free stuff on the Internet it may not be worth it. The reviews I see online are not good although I am not complaining as I got it free.
If you get it you should go the USED route through Amazon. It is half the price and they are usually just like new.

I have so many videos of trains—I don't really need more! It would be nice to have one of COE though! How long is the COE (Michigan) segment of the video? Did they have the F7A #725? That train looked spectacular when I watched it personally in January 1998!!!!

The COE segment is less than 5 minutes and 99% of it is interior shots. 725 is shown only for a few seconds
You are better of going to YouTube.Com and typing in Michigan Star Clipper for videos of 725.

[Robertrains]

The COE segment is less than 5 minutes and 99% of it is interior shots. 725 is shown only for a few seconds
You are better of going to YouTube.Com and typing in Michigan Star Clipper for videos of 725.

I figured that I shouldn't buy it! My own personal footage of COE/MAL is all about the TRAINS! That suits my needs well! I video taped 3 different Alcos on COE in 1994 and 1997 (also saw S-1 #52 in the same location for a few years)! Man there was good stuff! Too bad those ex AMT F-units never were fixed up! It was interesting watching those leave on 11-13-2011!

[Robertrains]

I went to Wixom today (6-1-12) and saw what progress has been done! The tracks have been ripped out as far as I could see, with debris (ties/rails etc.) piled around! The crossing signals are still up on Wixom Road though (old RR signal tower still there)! There are signs posted where the tracks used to cross that say "Tracks out of Service." One interesting thing is that the old Santa Fe "Vista Cavern" (sold to FXE) is still parked on what's left of the interchange! It looked (from what I could see not trespassing) like the tracks are torn out right up to it!!!! This is the "Absolute Last" of the old COE equipment left here! It's been there over two months, but CSX can sure take their time! I did not look at the embankment anywhere else! Rails are still embeded in that road though!

Also saw a southbound CSX "Grain Train" with locos 4524, 7714 and 884 with 61 cars!

[SD80MAC]

ABRX 725, 1512 and the rest of the equipment was still sitting in Ensel yard in Lansing as of yesterday.

[Robertrains]

ABRX 725, 1512 and the rest of the equipment was still sitting in Ensel yard in Lansing as of yesterday.

What are the plans now (if anyone knows)? I sure hope to see these again!

[Robertrains]

I took a look at the old line today (9-29-12)! Of course we already know the tracks are gone!!!! The M-5 crossing still has crossing signals (without gates)—rails are embedded in the road! The station lot off Pontiac Trail is the worst I've seen (my 1st time there without tracks)! Signals are gone with debris/ties piled around by the station! The paint is looking worse too! All the buildings remain, but with more debris (cement blocks etc.) by the engine shed! The only other crossing signals left are at Wixom Road!

Here's something I can't believe: the old Santa Fe "Vista Cavern" (sold to FXE) is still parked on what's left of the interchange! Weeds have grown around it now!!!!

[j32885]

Not much left of the old Michigan Airline (Coe Rail). Only seen a dirt pathway, instead of rails and ties. A few crossings still have rails stuck in the roadways.

Here's some my videos of the MAL, before it's abandonment:

Michigan Star Clipper (Dinner Train), 10-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00U9cn4nHw

Michigan Star Clipper (Dinner Train), 10-11-2008 #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0aUw8pi ... ure=relmfu

Michigan Star Clipper (Dinner Train), 10-11-2008 #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoArtkFs ... ure=relmfu

Walled Lake Scenic (Tourist Train), 10-12-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJtfkko00ao

Here's some videos done by other YT users:

Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVvkP0Iq ... re=related

MP25 Productions- "On-Location Series"- MAL Railway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lICvAta ... re=related

I was really hoping to see most the MAL rolling stock stay in Michigan, and be used elsewhere. But it wasn't the case.

[SD80MAC]

I took a look at the old line today (9-29-12)! Of course we already know the tracks are gone!!!! The M-5 crossing still has crossing signals (without gates)—rails are embedded in the road! The station lot off Pontiac Trail is the worst I've seen (my 1st time there without tracks)! Signals are gone with debris/ties piled around by the station! The paint is looking worse too! All the buildings remain, but with more debris (cement blocks etc.) by the engine shed! The only other crossing signals left are at Wixom Road!

Here's something I can't believe: the old Santa Fe "Vista Cavern" (sold to FXE) is still parked on what's left of the interchange! Weeds have grown around it now!!!!

CSX won't touch it, it has friction bearing trucks. FXE and Railmark are in a pickle.

[Robertrains]

Here's something I can't believe: the old Santa Fe "Vista Cavern" (sold to FXE) is still parked on what's left of the interchange! Weeds have grown around it now!!!!

CSX won't touch it, it has friction bearing trucks. FXE and Railmark are in a pickle.

Man I wonder how long it will take and/or what will be done! The State owns that property where the "Vista Cavern" is, correct? That final section of old COE track is the absolute last intact part of Michigan Air-Line, although I suppose there's still a ½ mile left in Richmond! It connects to the GTW Mt. Clemens Sub (ends just before the Macomb Orchard Trail)! It's sad how Michigan's rail lines have disappeared! At least something was done though! It's always wise to photograph these small branches before it's too late! I'm so glad I covered COE/MAL!!!!!

Here's a good article from Railroad.net explaining about "Friction Bearing Trucks" : http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8752&start=0

[Chrisracer8903]

Robert, the section of track the Vista Cavern is currently sitting on is the CSX-owned section of the MAL interchange. It is indeed true that CSX will not accept the car due to it's friction bearings. We will get that car moved at some point, but I don't know when.

[Robertrains]

Robert, the section of track the Vista Cavern is currently sitting on is the CSX-owned section of the MAL interchange. It is indeed true that CSX will not accept the car due to it's friction bearings. We will get that car moved at some point, but I don't know when.

When someone has any updates—Please Post! I wonder if CSX will rip up that last section! If they don't, at least some remnant will be left of the interchange! I hope the old RR Signals will stay there too!!!!

[Old Hogger]

Really cool little railroad, I know I'll miss it. And it looks like they carried their own photographers too.



J Byberg photo

[MQT3001]

It's an AAR? rule that says friction bearing truck cars will not be allowed through interchange without a special permit-type thing....right?

[Robertrains]

Really cool little railroad, I know I'll miss it. And it looks like they carried their own photographers too.



J Byberg photo

YESSSS!!!! There's me during my only time riding the loco on this line! I was only on for a short time! We then backed up to pick up ABRX #0005 and passenger car! I, along with great Railfans, rode in the caboose to the Wixom interchange! The passenger car was on the end─until we did the "Tricky Move" at A.P.T. We then shoved toward Wixom, caboose leading! The cab was being put to work (with flagging crossings)! The passenger car was left for CSX to pick up! I did not ride back, but waited in Walled Lake to Photo/Video it returning! I took awesome photos (and S-VHS video)! The camera here is Canon AE-1 Program! However, I didn't bring an extra roll of film on the loco and ran out of film! I didn't get a cool shot of the cab and #725 side by side! This day (10-23-2011) was one of my greatest days Railfanning!!!! I will have these photos scanned later on! I also want to create a documentary video!

Here's a shot of ABRX #0005 I took 9-1-10:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2263768

[Chrisracer8903]

Update: The Vista Cavern is still sitting on the interchange track in Wixom. A complaint was made by the school next to the interchange due to vandals playing around in the car and concerning for the kids at the school. The other day I went to go check out what damage was done to the car. The trespassers managed to do a lot of damage to the inside of the car. Damage included all the windows being busted out, the antique furniture, wall speakers, stereo and pillows were destroyed and scattered along the right-of-way. Since the speakers were ripped out, I am confident to say that they did alot of damage to the walls since the speakers were wired deep into the walls of the passenger car. So now the Vista Cavern cannot be accepted by CSX due to it's trucks, the MAL trackage is gone behind it and it's location is nowhere near road access to truck it away. The outlook for the Vista Cavern is pretty bad now that the car is badly vandalized inside and out.....what a shame for a nice passenger car.

[12Bridge]

Plain bearings (There not really friction..) can be moved with waivers, and usually a heavy speed restriction. Nobody knows what to do with them anymore in modern day railroads since they have been gone so long. Been there, done that. The problem is no major railroad is going to touch a car with plain bearings. Shortlines you might have a better shot.

[TrainWatcher]

Update: The Vista Cavern is still sitting on the interchange track in Wixom. A complaint was made by the school next to the interchange due to vandals playing around in the car and concerning for the kids at the school. The other day I went to go check out what damage was done to the car. The trespassers managed to do a lot of damage to the inside of the car. Damage included all the windows being busted out, the antique furniture, wall speakers, stereo and pillows were destroyed and scattered along the right-of-way. Since the speakers were ripped out, I am confident to say that they did alot of damage to the walls since the speakers were wired deep into the walls of the passenger car. So now the Vista Cavern cannot be accepted by CSX due to it's trucks, the MAL trackage is gone behind it and it's location is nowhere near road access to truck it away. The outlook for the Vista Cavern is pretty bad now that the car is badly vandalized inside and out.....what a shame for a nice passenger car.

And to think I asked Allen to get the "Vista Cavern" name plates off of it... pathetic.

[CharlieX90]

Update: The Vista Cavern is still sitting on the interchange track in Wixom. A complaint was made by the school next to the interchange due to vandals playing around in the car and concerning for the kids at the school. The other day I went to go check out what damage was done to the car. The trespassers managed to do a lot of damage to the inside of the car. Damage included all the windows being busted out, the antique furniture, wall speakers, stereo and pillows were destroyed and scattered along the right-of-way. Since the speakers were ripped out, I am confident to say that they did alot of damage to the walls since the speakers were wired deep into the walls of the passenger car. So now the Vista Cavern cannot be accepted by CSX due to it's trucks, the MAL trackage is gone behind it and it's location is nowhere near road access to truck it away. The outlook for the Vista Cavern is pretty bad now that the car is badly vandalized inside and out.....what a shame for a nice passenger car.

And to think I asked Allen to get the "Vista Cavern" name plates off of it... pathetic.

You really think that fat slob would do anything? He still owes me money.