Focusing on what we have now

Anything pertaining to railfanning in Michigan.
Typhoon
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1186
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:16 pm
Location: Under a palm tree

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by Typhoon »

ConrailDetr​oit wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:19 am
Mental illness does not know status or location. If life is so good in Detroit, why has the population of the city declined every year of the current Millennium
Every place has their problems. Younger foamers from suburban areas should not be brainwashed into dangerous thinking that every busy junction in an urban area is some dangerous place that one won't leave alive or without their vehicle or without a bullet wound. Life is too short and they will miss out on the positives that Detroit has to offer.
Hanging out in those areas could make your life shorter. There is a reason crossing signals that fail after sunset will stay that way until daybreak. Some areas require 2 employees, one serving as a look out. RR police patrol the area regularly, something that is not done in suburban areas. I have called RR police to escort a conductor walking a train, something I have never had a request to have done in suburban areas.

User avatar
amessmann
Signal Maintainer
Posts: 1463
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2020 4:58 pm
Location: East Lansing, MI

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by amessmann »

ConrailDetr​oit wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:19 am
Younger foamers from suburban areas should not be brainwashed into dangerous thinking that every busy junction in an urban area is some dangerous place that one won't leave alive or without their vehicle or without a bullet wound.
My parents cringe at the idea of me going to Delray to watch trains, I went in early November and while I was weary I did not feel I was in any danger. I certainly wouldn't head out there with a nice camera setup or anything, at least until I'm more familiar with the area, but most of my railfan friends seem to feel safe.

The thing to remember about Detroit is it seems to be an area hit by wave after wave of bad luck, with manufacturing moving, the government corruption from a few years ago, drug epidemics, etc. As far as I can tell, Detroit and its people have been given the short end of the stick. It's unfortunate that we live in a world where those in charge care so little as to let that happen. It's also sad that some people feel the need to turn to crime just to make ends meet.

I guess that's just my two cents. On the topic of well off areas, I'm from Brighton if that means anything.
GTW Dude wrote:
Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:02 pm
I figured it would be good start a thread on what we have in Michigan now and what landmarks to see before they are gone
The CSX Plymouth Sub, from west of Plymouth to Grand Rapids, is almost entirely governed by searchlight signals. It's easy to get to the ones in Brighton and Howell, Howell has a nice signal bridge at the west end of the siding. From what I understand LSRC still uses searchlights too on what used to be the Saginaw Sub north of Plymouth.

BamaSubdivision94
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 255
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 4:40 pm

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by BamaSubdivision94 »

To add to the list:

The Flint & Pere Marquette Station in Saginaw.

Part of the auxiliary tower has collapsed but the main building is still standing and the local committee has been doing what little they can over the years to restore it.

joeyuboats
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 253
Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2019 10:25 am

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by joeyuboats »

How about ex LSRC, exx D&M Alco 469 which is just rusting away in Saginaw?? It is the only surviving original Alco left from the D&M, and surely is deserving preservation. I have heard nothing about it since it got there, and the rarity and historical importance of this loco really makes me wonder.

User avatar
SD80MAC
Ingersoll's Mr. Michigan
Posts: 10412
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:59 pm
Location: Grand Rapids

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by SD80MAC »

joeyuboats wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:54 pm
How about ex LSRC, exx D&M Alco 469 which is just rusting away in Saginaw?? It is the only surviving original Alco left from the D&M, and surely is deserving preservation. I have heard nothing about it since it got there, and the rarity and historical importance of this loco really makes me wonder.
646 still exists in Colorado. And it’s not an original D&M unit, but the 1077 still exists at the Age Of Steam roundhouse in Ohio.
"Remember, 4 mph is a couple, 5's a collision!"
http://flickriver.com/photos/conrail680 ... teresting/
Image

User avatar
GTW Dude
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 253
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:46 pm
Location: Somewhere on the Mt. Clemens Sub

Re: Focusing on what we have now

Unread post by GTW Dude »

As you’ve probably seen in the other thread, the Lake Orion sub has had more tracks ripped up and Exemption signs placed along the ROW at each road crossing. Probably the end If GM doesn’t reintroduce autoracks at the Lake Orion Plant.

Post Reply