JAIL Sightings and Questions

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LansingRailFan
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by LansingRailFan »

From what I’ve been told, the stub tracks cannot hold cars due to being in such bad shape.

Tim
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by Tim »

Seven stub tracks and the two run around tracks were the ones added with the south one being the original Hollow Main. The three to the west were there prior to this with the north one being the original Hollow Main and the two to the south being Hollow 1, 2, 3 and 4. The two south tracks changed numbers at a set of crossovers which were removed when the New Hollow was built. The switches at the west end between the Old and New yards were also rearranged at the same time as the Hollow Main continued parallel to the other two tracks until near where the current switch to the southern most Old Hollow track is currently.

The stub tracks are basically level however the lead is definitely not. A conductor was killed here one night when a kicked car didn’t make it to the level portion and rolled back unnoticed by him and crushed him between another car.

The crossover to the GTW was added after a derailment between Grand River and Willow where the current switch to Padnos is on 2/15/76 blocked access to the Belt with no power available there. Included in the derailment were the two engines that were scheduled to supply the power for the Olds, Fisher, Jet and Forge Plants the next day. This was originally an emergency only connection as all GTW/PC interchange was conducted at Cedar Street, from the GTW to PC on the northwest side and from PC to GTW on the southwest side.

MiddleMI
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by MiddleMI »

Seven stub tracks and the two run around tracks were the ones added with the south one being the original Hollow Main. The three to the west were there prior to this with the north one being the original Hollow Main and the two to the south being Hollow 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Wait, how do you get from three to four? It'd be helpful if someone could label an Bing/Google aerial with the numbers and such. Looks like the southern-most track from Old Hollow doesn't remain as such and switches not that far into New Hollow.

Tim
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by Tim »

The set of trailing point crossovers going from the former Hollow Main to Hollow 2 and then Hollow 4 were just after the track straightens out from the curve. They’ve all been gone for over 35 years so no remains of them are visible in the photos. This is also true for where the switches at the east end have been rearranged. The west end switches haven’t been moved.

I agree labeling a map or photo would help immensely to clarify this situation however I lack the skills to do so.

1TrackMind
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by 1TrackMind »

They stopped using the yard a few years ago. GM kicked them out, I believe they had plans to expand their parking area.

Steve B
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Re: JAIL Sightings and Questions

Unread post by Steve B »

GM expanded its parking but didn't touch the yard. It only removed part of the plant lead, which hasn't been used for parts traffic in at least 15 years, probably considerably longer.

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