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I don't think this would have anything to do with it, but does anyone know how the long WATCO's lease of the Grand Elk is for? I know they leased the line and the takeover date was March 8th, 2009, so the 15 year anniversary of the takeover of the lines just happened. I wonder if this could be related to the sign. I know NSSD70Ace was trying to be funny, but I wonder if there isn't something going on behind the scenes that might impact the name of the yard.

NSSD70ACe wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:41 pm

Since when does humor = trash? Good lord, lighten up.

I can find that kind of humor on Facebook, and it added nothing to the topic.

chapmaja wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:02 pm

I don't think this would have anything to do with it, but does anyone know how the long WATCO's lease of the Grand Elk is for? I know they leased the line and the takeover date was March 8th, 2009, so the 15 year anniversary of the takeover of the lines just happened. I wonder if this could be related to the sign. I know NSSD70Ace was trying to be funny, but I wonder if there isn't something going on behind the scenes that might impact the name of the yard.

I believe NS leased the Jackson & Lansing line to ADBF for 20 years with an option to purchase when the lease expires (2030).
I wonder if GDLK has a similar agreement?


WMUK did a story in 2016 on Mr. Gearhart:
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2016-04- ... -curiosity

Which was also apparently discussed on this very site:
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33349

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:09 pm

NSSD70ACe wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:41 pm

Since when does humor = trash? Good lord, lighten up.

I can find that kind of humor on Facebook, and it added nothing to the topic.

This isn’t that serious of a board man

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:09 pm

chapmaja wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:02 pm

I don't think this would have anything to do with it, but does anyone know how the long WATCO's lease of the Grand Elk is for? I know they leased the line and the takeover date was March 8th, 2009, so the 15 year anniversary of the takeover of the lines just happened. I wonder if this could be related to the sign. I know NSSD70Ace was trying to be funny, but I wonder if there isn't something going on behind the scenes that might impact the name of the yard.

I believe NS leased the Jackson & Lansing line to ADBF for 20 years with an option to purchase when the lease expires (2030).
I wonder if GDLK has a similar agreement?


WMUK did a story in 2016 on Mr. Gearhart:
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2016-04- ... -curiosity

Which was also apparently discussed on this very site:
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33349

I believe it was 99 years but I can no longer find anything to confirm that online. Just old articles about the proposed takeover, MQT’s objection, and a bunch of foamers saying the company would fold within a few years because there was no business on the line to sustain it.

Oh the irony…..

Who was Botsford? It looks like GDLK is reverting to the older historic name for the site.

justalurker66 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 5:52 pm

Who was Botsford? It looks like GDLK is reverting to the older historic name for the site.

You may find some of the answers that you are looking for in this thread.
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33349

Botsford was a Boston banker who helped finance the Michigan Central.

Another update, I think Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers has started scrapping railcars on their transload spur near downtown.

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 8:16 pm

Another update, I think Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers has started scrapping railcars on their transload spur near downtown.

Just one and its been there for a few months now. They haven't done any rail business in probably a year.

NSSD70ACe wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:34 pm

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:09 pm

NSSD70ACe wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:41 pm

Since when does humor = trash? Good lord, lighten up.

I can find that kind of humor on Facebook, and it added nothing to the topic.

This isn’t that serious of a board man

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:09 pm

chapmaja wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:02 pm

I don't think this would have anything to do with it, but does anyone know how the long WATCO's lease of the Grand Elk is for? I know they leased the line and the takeover date was March 8th, 2009, so the 15 year anniversary of the takeover of the lines just happened. I wonder if this could be related to the sign. I know NSSD70Ace was trying to be funny, but I wonder if there isn't something going on behind the scenes that might impact the name of the yard.

I believe NS leased the Jackson & Lansing line to ADBF for 20 years with an option to purchase when the lease expires (2030).
I wonder if GDLK has a similar agreement?


WMUK did a story in 2016 on Mr. Gearhart:
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2016-04- ... -curiosity

Which was also apparently discussed on this very site:
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33349

I believe it was 99 years but I can no longer find anything to confirm that online. Just old articles about the proposed takeover, MQT’s objection, and a bunch of foamers saying the company would fold within a few years because there was no business on the line to sustain it.

Oh the irony…..

the 99 year lease is what I remember reading somewhere also. however I don't remember where I read that at, so I could be wrong.

GRHC wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:16 pm

justalurker66 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 5:52 pm

Who was Botsford? It looks like GDLK is reverting to the older historic name for the site.

You may find some of the answers that you are looking for in this thread.
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33349

Nope. The other thread and article confirm that the yard was originally named Botsford over 100 years ago, but no answer as to who Botsford was.

According to PatAzo Botsford was a Boston banker who helped finance the Michigan Central.
Page 84 Sixth post down from the top on this thread.
https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... start=1660

1TrackMind wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 9:25 pm

NS3322 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 02, 2024 8:16 pm

Another update, I think Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers has started scrapping railcars on their transload spur near downtown.

Just one and its been there for a few months now. They haven't done any rail business in probably a year.

That's too bad. Was most of that scrap headed for Chicago?
Thanks for the info!

My step dad and I were on our way to the Kalamazoo train show today and drove past Botsford Yard. As we got to the east end of the yard where the aggregate spur is at, I noticed an all black locomotive but didnt see any markings on it. On our way home we drove back by and we stopped and I took a picture of it. Does anyone know what this is going to be used for? Is this going to be used by Watco for the Grand Elk or is this just passing through? Its markings are RBEX 4910 and the only other markings are a few spots where it says “Water & Light.”

I apologize if this post should have been its own thread. Z, please move this post if it does not belong here.

The 4910 was formerly at the Erickson Power plant of the Lansing Board of Water & Light. I believe it is ex GTW.

Correct, ex-GTW 4910. They moved the tubes down from the top to the side of the hood so it would fit in the coal dumper shed IIRC.

Dan Cluley wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:40 am

The 4910 was formerly at the Erickson Power plant of the Lansing Board of Water & Light. I believe it is ex GTW.

AARR wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 07, 2024 7:17 am

Correct, ex-GTW 4910. They moved the tubes down from the top to the side of the hood so it would fit in the coal dumper shed IIRC.

Dan Cluley wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:40 am

The 4910 was formerly at the Erickson Power plant of the Lansing Board of Water & Light. I believe it is ex GTW.

Thank you both very much. Do guys know if they are just storing it there or is it going to be put to work?

The stone yard in Kalamazoo purchased that GP9.

RBEX is also the reporting marks for the stone cars used to transport the stone. That would indicate that the "new" engine is also owned by the same company, RBEX, Balkema Excavating.

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:55 pm

The stone yard in Kalamazoo purchased that GP9.

And also the caboose from the LBWL Eckert Power Station.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=6308553
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=6308552

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:55 pm

The stone yard in Kalamazoo purchased that GP9.

Thank you very much for the info.