Harvest Energy Spur

Anything pertaining to railfanning in Michigan.
User avatar
MQT1223
O Scale Railfanner
Posts: 4028
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Grandville, Michigan
Contact:

Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by MQT1223 »

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. :)

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Doktor No »

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.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

chapmaja
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:02 pm

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by chapmaja »

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.

GP30M4216
Saver of all History
Posts: 4800
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 pm
Location: Feel the Zeel, MI
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by GP30M4216 »

THIS spur?
IMG_3342.jpg

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Doktor No »

Smith Groen Lumber yard switch...or it was at one time.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Doktor No »

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.

Raildudes dad
Roadmaster
Posts: 4753
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:12 am
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Raildudes dad »

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.

User avatar
MQT1223
O Scale Railfanner
Posts: 4028
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Grandville, Michigan
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by MQT1223 »

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.
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.

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. :)

User avatar
MQT1223
O Scale Railfanner
Posts: 4028
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Grandville, Michigan
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by MQT1223 »

GP30M4216 wrote:THIS spur?
IMG_3342.jpg
That’s the one.
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. :)

User avatar
J T
Hates Supper
Posts: 11367
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:23 pm
Location: Grand Rapids
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by J T »

MQT1223 wrote: The Bimbo Bakeries spur is all intact.
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.
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.

User avatar
Ben Higdon
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 843
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:02 pm

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Ben Higdon »

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.
Wow, great pics there Dok! Thanks for sharing.

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Doktor No »

Ben Higdon wrote:
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.
Wow, great pics there Dok! Thanks for sharing.
My engineer for many years in Wyoming Yard put it together. Master James.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

User avatar
Standard Railfan
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1800
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:25 pm
Location: Marquette, MI

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Standard Railfan »

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.
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.

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.

User avatar
MQT1223
O Scale Railfanner
Posts: 4028
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Grandville, Michigan
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by MQT1223 »

Standard Railfan wrote:
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.
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.

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.
They are getting some large loads via Flatcar, can’t say more on that.
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. :)

User avatar
MQT1223
O Scale Railfanner
Posts: 4028
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Grandville, Michigan
Contact:

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by MQT1223 »

J T wrote:
MQT1223 wrote: The Bimbo Bakeries spur is all intact.
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.
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.
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. :)

Raildudes dad
Roadmaster
Posts: 4753
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:12 am
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Raildudes dad »

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.

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Doktor No »

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!
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Tim
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 212
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:47 am
Location: Perry, Mi

Re: Harvest Energy Spur

Unread post by Tim »

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.

Post Reply