Harvest Energy Spur
- MQT1223
- O Scale Railfanner
- Posts: 4072
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
- Location: Grandville, Michigan
- Contact:
Harvest Energy Spur
Anyone know the last time this spur was used and for whom? It's right next to the Beltline Bar on the Hastings Lead in Grand Rapids. Rumor Mill suggests that it will finally see use this year after being rebuilt when service resumed to L&W Supply. The switch and ties were done all around the same time but it has yet to see any action.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
If it's one that is a facing point for westbound and heads west towards Division that would have been the Smith Groen lumber spur. Usedinto the 70's.
If it's one for a facing point westward but heads towards Madison those went into Roskams and the numerous other bakeries that received flour and other commodities on a daily basis also well into the 70's. The NYC then the PC switch run used to take something like 30+ cars a day to distribute to various customers from 28th st down to Steelcase and Spartan Stores. Switch engine in the middle, caboose on the east end and shove! (oh and done for the most part without a radio in sight. All gone now.
If it's one for a facing point westward but heads towards Madison those went into Roskams and the numerous other bakeries that received flour and other commodities on a daily basis also well into the 70's. The NYC then the PC switch run used to take something like 30+ cars a day to distribute to various customers from 28th st down to Steelcase and Spartan Stores. Switch engine in the middle, caboose on the east end and shove! (oh and done for the most part without a radio in sight. All gone now.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
Harvest Energy is per Google Maps, on Honeoye St, just south of 28th St. It is next to the Beltline Bar. The spur is on the south side of the "main" and appears to extend only to the property line of the property, not beyond the end of their property where there is a fence it appears.
This is not the spur that used to run along the backside of what is now Bimbo Bakeries USA. There is still a switch near Madison that appears to have been either a passing siding running alongside the "main" or a siding to what is now the Kelloggs plant. There is some evidence still in the ground of rails into Kelloggs.
This is not the spur that used to run along the backside of what is now Bimbo Bakeries USA. There is still a switch near Madison that appears to have been either a passing siding running alongside the "main" or a siding to what is now the Kelloggs plant. There is some evidence still in the ground of rails into Kelloggs.
-
- Saver of all History
- Posts: 4827
- Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 pm
- Location: Feel the Zeel, MI
- Contact:
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
THIS spur?
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
Smith Groen Lumber yard switch...or it was at one time.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45043432@ ... otostream/
The switch stand is right about where the W is on the D&RGW boxcar.
And yes, a ton of pics here to keep one busy for awhile.
The switch stand is right about where the W is on the D&RGW boxcar.
And yes, a ton of pics here to keep one busy for awhile.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
-
- Roadmaster
- Posts: 4753
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:12 am
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
Smith Groen - that's the name:) Harvest Energy looks like a process equipment machinery etc fabricator. They advertise for equipment fabrication welders. I can't hazard a guess why they would be interested in a physical switch.
- MQT1223
- O Scale Railfanner
- Posts: 4072
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
- Location: Grandville, Michigan
- Contact:
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
The Bimbo Bakeries spur is all intact. Yes that particular spur is there but not used. Never understood why when they transload down at Hugart.chapmaja wrote:Harvest Energy is per Google Maps, on Honeoye St, just south of 28th St. It is next to the Beltline Bar. The spur is on the south side of the "main" and appears to extend only to the property line of the property, not beyond the end of their property where there is a fence it appears.
This is not the spur that used to run along the backside of what is now Bimbo Bakeries USA. There is still a switch near Madison that appears to have been either a passing siding running alongside the "main" or a siding to what is now the Kelloggs plant. There is some evidence still in the ground of rails into Kelloggs.
In terms of the spur that I’m talking about, this one isn’t it.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
- MQT1223
- O Scale Railfanner
- Posts: 4072
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
- Location: Grandville, Michigan
- Contact:
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
That’s the one.GP30M4216 wrote:THIS spur?
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
Looking at the satellite image right now of the Bimbo Bakeries property and I see no evidence of an existing spur. There is a switch just northwest of the Madison crossing, but beyond that switch, nothing other than a few small sections of rails in pavement near some of the buildings. So no actual spur appears to be intact.MQT1223 wrote: The Bimbo Bakeries spur is all intact.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimthias/
GRHC - you know every night I can imagine he is in front of his computer screen sitting in his underwear swearing profusely and drinking Blatz beer combing the RailRoadFan website for grammatical errors.
GRHC - you know every night I can imagine he is in front of his computer screen sitting in his underwear swearing profusely and drinking Blatz beer combing the RailRoadFan website for grammatical errors.
- Ben Higdon
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:02 pm
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
Wow, great pics there Dok! Thanks for sharing.Doktor No wrote:https://www.flickr.com/photos/45043432@ ... otostream/
The switch stand is right about where the W is on the D&RGW boxcar.
And yes, a ton of pics here to keep one busy for awhile.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
My engineer for many years in Wyoming Yard put it together. Master James.Ben Higdon wrote:Wow, great pics there Dok! Thanks for sharing.Doktor No wrote:https://www.flickr.com/photos/45043432@ ... otostream/
The switch stand is right about where the W is on the D&RGW boxcar.
And yes, a ton of pics here to keep one busy for awhile.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- Standard Railfan
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1804
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:25 pm
- Location: Marquette, MI
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
If Harvest Energy is a fabricator then it is likely a siding may be of use to receive raw materials and/or ship finished equipment.Raildudes dad wrote:Smith Groen - that's the name:) Harvest Energy looks like a process equipment machinery etc fabricator. They advertise for equipment fabrication welders. I can't hazard a guess why they would be interested in a physical switch.
Harvest Energy’s USDOT file indicates that machinery and large objects are hauled by the company. That sounds like potential flat car loads to me.
- MQT1223
- O Scale Railfanner
- Posts: 4072
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
- Location: Grandville, Michigan
- Contact:
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
They are getting some large loads via Flatcar, can’t say more on that.Standard Railfan wrote:If Harvest Energy is a fabricator then it is likely a siding may be of use to receive raw materials and/or ship finished equipment.Raildudes dad wrote:Smith Groen - that's the name:) Harvest Energy looks like a process equipment machinery etc fabricator. They advertise for equipment fabrication welders. I can't hazard a guess why they would be interested in a physical switch.
Harvest Energy’s USDOT file indicates that machinery and large objects are hauled by the company. That sounds like potential flat car loads to me.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
- MQT1223
- O Scale Railfanner
- Posts: 4072
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
- Location: Grandville, Michigan
- Contact:
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
It’s in there, most of it is buried. It would require significant work to make usable. Looking around the facility one can spot various switches and sidings. They are visible on google maps. I believe it was last used by Conrail when Sara Lee was there or one of the other various bakeries.J T wrote:Looking at the satellite image right now of the Bimbo Bakeries property and I see no evidence of an existing spur. There is a switch just northwest of the Madison crossing, but beyond that switch, nothing other than a few small sections of rails in pavement near some of the buildings. So no actual spur appears to be intact.MQT1223 wrote: The Bimbo Bakeries spur is all intact.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
-
- Roadmaster
- Posts: 4753
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:12 am
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
The Bimbo switch came from the west. The cars were unloaded where the trucks are unloaded today. Look at the older photos on Kent county parcel viewer. My uncle was a driver for Mueller Baking back in the 50's, then Interstate Bakery, then Sara Lee now Bimbo today.
Hekman Biscuit was the big user, switch from the east 2 tracks. Bought by United Baking, then Keebler, today is Kelloggs.
MQT1223 - the reason they use trucks, the truck driver puts the flour into the silos. If delivered by rail, a company employee has to unload the cars. The transload also serves as a warehouse for the product. Any delays in transit times, missed switches are absorbed at the transload. There's enough product stored in the cars to handle any delays. No worrying at the plant if the car is late.
Hekman Biscuit was the big user, switch from the east 2 tracks. Bought by United Baking, then Keebler, today is Kelloggs.
MQT1223 - the reason they use trucks, the truck driver puts the flour into the silos. If delivered by rail, a company employee has to unload the cars. The transload also serves as a warehouse for the product. Any delays in transit times, missed switches are absorbed at the transload. There's enough product stored in the cars to handle any delays. No worrying at the plant if the car is late.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
And last but not least down there...on the Madison/28th corner was a GE Distribution warehouse with a siding along the east side of the building hard by Madison. Don't remember if the doors or any evidence of that is still there.
That's not even speaking of what was south of 32nd Street down to 36th. Lots of customers switched on a daily basis. Then PC built a spur along the east side of the RB Chaffee, Kent Industrial park. Kent Beverage, J.C.Penny and others had sidings too, even south of 36th which had a crossing with flashers...heck I remember when it was an AIRPORT!
That's not even speaking of what was south of 32nd Street down to 36th. Lots of customers switched on a daily basis. Then PC built a spur along the east side of the RB Chaffee, Kent Industrial park. Kent Beverage, J.C.Penny and others had sidings too, even south of 36th which had a crossing with flashers...heck I remember when it was an AIRPORT!
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Re: Harvest Energy Spur
In the seventies there were two daily trains on the MC out of Jackson to GR. The day light one was the through freight and the night one was a local with some through cars. Yard Limits started at mp 88.1 (just west of 44th St.) and a wb freight and the yard job switching Mueller (Bimbo) had an unscheduled meet with the freight driving the switch engine several car lengths back into Mueller. Since this was inside yard limits, the freight was obviously running too fast on a .55% descending grade. I don't think there were any serious injuries. Anyone have any other information.