Huron & Eastern

[railroads2000]

Hello,

I'd like to find out some info on the Huron & Eastern from the early years. I came across a video of the H&E from about the 1989-1990 time frame, and it shows a train power by two GP 9's bringing a train into I believe is Bad Axe, Michigan and the train was manly grain hoppers, tanks and a few 86 ft. Hi cubes. The 86 ft. cars are the main focus. Where did these cars originate from and where were they going to? I assume these cars were carrying Auto Parts? Were they loaded online or interchanged to the H&E? I'm a Truck Driver and I run to Elkton from Romulus, Michigan five days a week and I pick up auto parts for Ford Motor from Tower Automotive. These types of cars are a favorite of mine. Thanks.

James Barnes, Jr.
Taylor, Michigan

[cnw8835]

Do you mind linking the video here so we can see exactly what you are talking about?

[AARR]

In the time frame you are asking about there were two auto parts plants shipping by rail. The one in Elkton was operated by Active Industries. The place in Sebewaing may have also been operated by Active. Both places loaded steel stampings and also scrap steel. They were interchanged with CSX in Saginaw.

The place in Elkton is currenlty operated by Tower and still ships out scrap steel but all stampings go out by truck AFAIK.

The 86 ft. cars are the main focus. Where did these cars originate from and where were they going to? I assume these cars were carrying Auto Parts? Were they loaded online or interchanged to the H&E?

[pbmaxno15]

It has been at least 5 years and probably more that the 86 ft high cubes have been absent from Tower in Elkton. The Omnisource scrap gons are the only cars they receive now. The covered hoppers are mainly for grain from the Cooperative Elevators in Elkton, Pigeon, Sebewaing and more.

[AARR]

Thanks for posting the video's, pbmax!