We got up Monday morning at 7am and found GLC 392 outside the enginehouse as well as all the SRI/GLC passenger cars from the recent color trip tied down on one of the tracks in North Yard. I decided to grab an obligatory photo of the old snow plow. I may never see it run, but its nice to see this thing ready for its next call to action:
After switching the Michigan Agricultural Commodeties transload facility in town, GLC 392 headed north to Walton Jct and up the Traverse City District light engine. Fall color was almost non existant most of the way along the line, so we had to struggle to find some golden browns and touches of reds. We still had a blast getting some good shots. Here is 392 heading away from the camera at McManus Corner:
Upon arriving in Traverse City we steaked out the old PM/C&O Depot and waited for the 392. I really enjoyed capturing these pumpkins in my photo as it really helped document the time of year for our visit and added the fall color I was looking for!
GLC 392 headed over to Williamsburg (Bates) and picked up 1 lone empty centerbeam from Amerhart. Its kind of depressing how this is the only customer to justify the entire Traverse City District! GLC 392 stopped in the clear of the switches at Amerhart and the conductor lined the switches against the locomotive and they used a piece of onsite construction equipment to shove the centerbeam out to the main. After the centerbeam was on the main, GLC 392 coupled to it and headed back west. I tried to compose a shot with Grand Traverse Bay. Im very pleased with the shot, but I couldn't decided how to shoot it. I tried standing on top of the truck which was nice, but I ducked down last minute and decided to include the red fall colored vines on the fence along the side of the road to help show what season it was. I certainly could have gotten more water in the photo, but I also wanted to get the train in the photo!
On the way south to Cadillac I attempted to get a nice shot of the wooden bridge off of Walton Rd, but didnt have enough time to untie my shows to wade over to the sunny side in the shallow creek. I did give the spot at McManus corner another try though. Again, not much color out there but these golden brown leaves helped convey the idea:
Possibly my favorite shot of 392 was at Manton, MI. I tried to frame a clean shot and include some elements of downtown in the photo including some benches and a grove of trees. It almost looks like a model HO train!
GLC 392 returned to Cadillac and did some switching before tying down for the day. I managed to take advantage of the nice light for a good roster shot.
On Tuesday the 390 came out to play with the 392. Pretty amazing luck that we caught 2 GP35s in Cadillac considering this trip was planned quite a while back and I had no idea what power woul be up there. Honestly I would not have nearly enjoyed chasing a lone GP38 to Traverse City..
The southbound to Clare departed around 8:30am Tuesday and made stops along the way at McBain etc gathering many cars. Old NW2 1977 is at the foam plant in Farwell and we swear we heard its horn...
Eventually, 390/392 arrived into Clare. Also of interest RJ Corman had several crews out surveying the old PM line west of downtown Clare. Officials in suits and hardhats. I wonder if they are "picking up" what rail is left or studying somekind of rehab. I have no idea why they were there but all these men in suits were walking the abandoned grade from the end of the Plastic Plant to the end of rails just west of town.
We followed the Owosso Turn all the way down past Durand to sunset. Here is one more photo:
