Hilsdale branch, ypsi to Pittsfield junction

[rrboomer]

Here's another idea, start with this 1915 map and follow it across each township:

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/ ... /Michigan/

I don't know why, but my confuser won't leave a live link anymore.

rrb

[rrboomer]

If you use Google Earth views, click on the clock symbol (upper left) and it will show the oldest view available.
In the case of Saline, it is 1992. Going back 15-20 years makes a big difference when following some right-of-ways.

rrb

[J T]

Follow the ROW a little west of Saline and you will see this
http://g.co/maps/8v96f

Now THAT is awesome. I never knew that existed. Here's another shot of it from RP.

An interesting caption to go along with the pic, too. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=327692

[Todd Cline]

I had an aunt and uncle that grew up in North Adams Mi. Which was on that line. ( believe this line also went through Cement City Mi.). I don't recall when the tracks came out there, they were still there in 1972, I remember crossing them, overgrown and obviously disused, but still there nonetheless. ( I really miss those relics), but the depot is still there,( North Adams), last time I saw is it was painted PINK. and was an antiques shop... ROW is still very visable in this area. If you go to Hillsdale and park at the current INER office, look to the east across the street and you can still see where the line curved off towards the northeast. ( left of the existing tracks).

Todd

[Ben Higdon]

The tracks were in place from Hillsdale to North Adams through 73 or 74 at least, but North Adams to Brooklyn/Cement City was gone well before that.

[Michael]

I took this lame photo about 10 years ago.
This is just south of Cement City where the two rail lines once crossed each other.
http://g.co/maps/g5hcy

[J T]

Michael, does that bridge still exist?

[Michael]

Michael, does that bridge still exist?

It does JT. Click on the link below to see an aerial
http://g.co/maps/g5hcy

There are actually a few other bridges/trestle that were left in place along this line.
Just to the West of Cement City just before US-127 I noticed this one too.
http://g.co/maps/5w3uf

[ns8401]

There is also one just west of Saline where the track used to cross the Saline River. It's pretty rough but it was an 100' bridge at least.

[TraintrackGal]

If you take some time and visit the Saline depot, you'll find the tracks are still in place from Ann Arbor St. to Harris Street. It makes for an interesting walk and they kept the switches too. I will try to post some photos from when i was there last November. I wish more trails would keep some pieces of track.

[TraintrackGal]

I just loaded all the Saline depot track photos on to the photo gallery. Again, I've forgotten how to put any of those photos into the message board. I need more practise!

admin edit: here's a link to your album in the gallery: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/thumbnails-1648.html

And if you are looking at this message and click on the edit button, you can see the code on how to add a thumbnail to this post:

Looks like this:

Code: Select all

[url=http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-65250][img]http://railroadfan.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11114/thumb_PB042257.JPG[/img][/url]

[CAT345C]

I'm shocked that there is a spring frog in that switch considering the age of that and the fact that this was prolly a lightly used line when that technology came out! Cool stuff

[TraintrackGal]

Here it is....
http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayimage-65249.html

[AARR]

Thanks TTGal. I love railroad fossils and old ROW's. I will have to check it out next time I am in Saline.

[J T]

Thanks TTGal. I love railroad fossils and old ROW's. I will have to check it out next time I am in Saline.

Same here. Thanks for the shots, Linda.

[TraintrackGal]

You're welcome guys. Very happy you enjoyed the photos. It was a very nice surprise for me to find that the tracks kept going all the way to Harris Road. Really had fun taking the photos of all the unusual and interesting stuff. These photos go well with this thread. Like I said, I wish they would sometimes leave some track behind. One day I'll tour the inside of the depot too.

[Ypsi]

this map was shows how the hilsdale branch came ount of ypsi, it that street running on the straight section in the middle of the map?

also this picture which i have croped and highlight a section that looks to be a roundhouse? Was there a roundhouse in ypsi? this one appears to be to the east of depot town

ypsi rr system by YpsiAmtrakBoy, on Flickr

heres the full picture

[ns8401]

Not sure on your street running but there was a roundhouse east of cross street on the east side at the next crossing east, the foundation is still there next to the boys and girls club at the curve.

[Ypsi]

The Bike trail! the one behind the convocation center was part of the hilsdale branch. then through where farmer jack would have been, through the neighborhoods and into saline. just saw that on google maps using the old trach charts i found

[ns8401]

The Bike trail! the one behind the convocation center was part of the hilsdale branch. then through where farmer jack would have been, through the neighborhoods and into saline. just saw that on google maps using the old trach charts i found

Not Farmer Jack, right thru the U-Haul place on Washtenaw just to the east.