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Although the traffic levels here are nothing like they used to be (20+ trains a day during my time), it's nice to see that LSRC is maintaining the track!

OK. It's pretty much impossible to line opposing moves in CTC by signal indication. The exception would be if DS gives a train authority to pass a STOP signal into another train. Allowing a RESTRICTING signal is usually only for following moves, or sometimes couple back to train. This one sounds lik...

Hmm. That sounds rather questionable to me, but we shall see!

There was one important item that GRS did NOT supply as part of the "west end" operation. It was a single rubber part from a bike pedal firmly attached with electrical tape to a cut-off fishing pole, and notched to perfectly fit the signal and switch levers. With this device, one could reach over a...

IMG_0247.JPG Happened upon this article from 1955. This is the same GRS console I worked in Saginaw (as well as the "south end"). Whoever that dispatcher is must have retired before my time there. This job was referred to as the "west end", and also handled the train order Elmdale, Port Huron and B...

Here's a link to a PM station book I was given back in the 60's. Interestingly, I couldn't find a date on it anywhere. The pages were all rather dark and stained, so I did the best I could converting it to a pdf file. Some of you may find it of interest or use it as a resource. Thought I would pass ...

Not even a new scenario on CSX. Joy Holdout was an absolute in Michigan City for years. Although obviously not installed by CSX, we had absolute "hold out" signals in several places: Scottville; just east of Baldwin (so a train like ML18 didn't have to run restricted speed for several miles toward ...

Doug, did you ever copy & deliver Penn Central train orders in Carleton? Gary Betz Ionia MI We copied and delivered the running order for any northward trains on the Lincoln Branch: "Eng XXXX run extra Carleton to Penford." Occasionally, the PC dispatcher would issue an order establishing a tempora...

Not to get overly nostalgic, but quite a bit of the railroad I knew is now "just a trace in the woods" -- or a bike trail!

Not The Sportsman??

Quite a read... What was the Wye in Evart for? Had no idea there was ever a wye here for anything, I assume an old branch? Not aware of any branch from Evart, but perhaps there was. Would have to research. However, the Ludington-Evart local used to use the wye every trip to turn his engine for the ...

Having worked Carleton Tower 1971-1974 (and later dispatching that track from Saginaw), I can chime in on this. The C&O siding south of the tower on the west side was the "South Pass". As stated, there was a spur toward Monroe St off this siding that once served the Elevator. The siding on the east ...

Perhaps you already have this information in your arsenal, but some may find it of interest. This is the Chessie Michigan Division that I knew. Of course, it only contains "scheduled" trains, not coal, grain, locals or other extra movements. The cover even has the consummate office coffee cup "ring"...

Nice job! Looks like Plymouth looking east toward the diamond to me. (If that signal is for FL16, I'll take him right out at the north end, but he's gonna have to meet 5 southbounds before he gets to McGrew!).

I guess this doesn't count, but I used to "railfan" at Carleton 40 hours a week, mostly between midnight and 8:00 am! Lots of variety back then and add in all the coal for West Olive, Essexville (and sometimes Port Huron) that passed by. Glad to hear that at least some of you still enjoy hanging out...

Spent 4 years of my life working that tower in the 70's. Happy to hear that she's still standing!!

I spoke to a friend who works for GLC out of Cadillac. He said the siding will be used to bring in empty containers for the company located there, probably on regular flat cars.

I worked on a swing bridge over the Mississippi River between Rock Island, IL and Davenport, IA for about 5 years for BNSF (formerly DRI Line). If interested, you can Google "Crescent Bridge Rock Island" and there are some photos. https://youtu.be/9V0kuXKsJLA?si=581af_fnHe3d5WAg Although there were ...

The train I saw most often was the FT-4 on duty Boat Landing around 9 AM and through Ashley in the late afternoon. Agent Bill Collins often referred to this train as the "hot shot." The GTW Greenville Local (returning as #542) would often follow FT-4 to Owosso Jct. FWIW, the GTW dispatched the Green...

No problem; it was a good memory exercise for me! On the AA symbols, I can only speak to the early 60's when I would hang out with the agent at Ashley. This would have been during the Alco era. I remember two Toledo-Frankfort trains each way, TF-1, TF-3, FT-2, FT-4. They also ran an Owosso-Cadillac ...