can anyone tell me what railroads went thru durand michigan

Look at the Durand Union Station history page; there's a lot of info there.

I have this bookmarked. There are links by year so you can see the evolution of the rail lines throughout the state.

This Map

is for the lower peninsula starting in 1949 (I just randomly picked the date) You can scroll through the years or got to "Map Menu" and select by decades.

-K

I rode the Grand Trunk Western RR to Durand in the early 50's.

Earl

I always stop in Durand on the way to/from visits to our 'Kids' in East Lansing. In it's heyday it had many RR lines stop at it's Depot. The web site will fill you in on this and more about it's history.

Amtrak still stops there! Which is a good excuse to take a trip out & back if you're spending time anywhere near the rail line servicing the area.

Every time I go I find something or someone else to enjoy. A number of retired RR people host the Museum and they'll point out what sites to see - like the Steam Engine and RR cars in a Park a few blocks away. Last trip I 'discovered' a Coaling Tower (a lot like the Plasticville model) which was all cleaned up and nicely painted.



Tom

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TomK,

That coaling tower is the inspiration for the one I scratchbuilt a few years ago. It's twin sister stands in Grand Haven, a great little town.

I'd love to build a full scale version of it someday if I could find plans for it. My version was narrowed to fit its first location and I'm not sure if I ever got the height correct.

Norm,

Drawings of the Durand 350 ton coaling station appear in the book "Evening Before the Diesel" by Charles R. Foss.

Jerry

What??! That's good to know!

For years, I had no clue what the original rigging and chutes looked like on that tower until I stopped in at the local McDonald's. They had some pretty nice B&W photos framed on the walls showing the tower with what appeared to be a couple of Mikados parked under it. Too late for me at the time, since I just sort freelanced my chutes and stuff based on the Walthers kit.

Norm,
Hope you're referring to the McDonalds at the Rte. 69 Durand exit?
I've stopped there a number of times and will be sure to check it out next time I pass through for the pix you mentioned.
Thanks,
Tom

quote:

For years, I had no clue what the original rigging and chutes looked like on that tower until I stopped in at the local McDonald's. They had some pretty nice B&W photos framed on the walls showing the tower with what appeared to be a couple of Mikados parked under it.

thank you all for the info on durand I had no idea that there was so much in durand my dads family is from michigan.

both my grandfather and great grand father worked for gm and in my great gradnfathers early days he worked as a tellographer for durand and the grand trunk and was also the justice of the peace for durand

thank you all very much

Nicholaus,

Great to read about your family member's ties to Durand & the GT RR.

Not sure if you're able to visit Durand. So, I uploaded some pix I took on my visits there. here's a LINK to my Durand album up on Photo Bucket for all to browse.

BTW - I am a Ham Radio Op - station KA2X - and I am interested in anything about Telegaphy/Morse Code/etc. So, you'll find some pix of the Telegrapher's equipment on display at Durand Depot.

Tom

Tom, check this out!!



Direct link:

http://flickr.com/photos/natebeal/2113111389/in/set-72157603313860026/

The first comment is pretty much what I said when I managed to stumble across this on the interweb.

Yes, the Mickey D's right off 69 is the one.

You guys that stop by Durand should go up the road 8 miles West to the Steam Railroad Institute in Owosso MI home of the Pere Marquette 1225. There are a lot of pictures showing the rebuilding of the 1225 and some old pictures also. There is a nice HO layaout that is quite large and an O gauge layout that the little kids can run. We will also let you up in the cab for pictures. If we happen to be steamed up you can get a special treat. Stop By.
Ron

thank you for the photos of durand I was there in 1998 and things have changed a lot since then. thank you all and have a great day

Norm,

That is awesome!!!!!
The same Poster of that pix has more Durand pix that are great!

And, thanks for confirming the Mickey D's location in Durand....

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by Norm Charbonneau:
Tom, check this out!!



Direct link:

http://flickr.com/photos/natebeal/2113111389/in/set-72157603313860026/

The first comment is pretty much what I said when I managed to stumble across this on the interweb.

Yes, the Mickey D's right off 69 is the one.

Ron,

I have been up to Owosso SRI and walked the Yard for some nice pix.
I missed the display in the Museum Building and I missed seeing 1225 as it was out on the road on tour - Rats!
I exchanged emails with SRI and found it's best to call before going to make sure it's open (and, of course, to see if 1225 is in residence).

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by RailfanRon:
You guys that stop by Durand should go up the road 8 miles West to the Steam Railroad Institute in Owosso MI home of the Pere Marquette 1225. There are a lot of pictures showing the rebuilding of the 1225 and some old pictures also. There is a nice HO layaout that is quite large and an O gauge layout that the little kids can run. We will also let you up in the cab for pictures. If we happen to be steamed up you can get a special treat. Stop By.
Ron

Norm,

Stopped in Durand's McDonalds to see the Coaling Tower pix and the other RR pix!
We're going to make this a regular stop for coffee.
This is a great excuse to get to cruise around town while the Wife shops at the Ben Frankliin Five & Dime store on Main Street.

Thanks,
Tom

quote:

Originally posted by TomK:
Norm,

That is awesome!!!!!
The same Poster of that pix has more Durand pix that are great!

And, thanks for confirming the Mickey D's location in Durand....

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by Norm Charbonneau:
Tom, check this out!!



Direct link:

http://flickr.com/photos/natebeal/2113111389/in/set-72157603313860026/

The first comment is pretty much what I said when I managed to stumble across this on the interweb.

Yes, the Mickey D's right off 69 is the one.