Great Lakes Central RR

[bryinmich]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums but would like to share a prototype of where I live in northern Michigan; the GLC: Great Lakes Central Railroad. It was formerly known as the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railroad (T&SB).

Here's a link from the wiki about the GLC:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuscola_and_Saginaw_Bay_Railway

It's the largest in terms of mileage of track running from Traverse City / Petoskey, MI in the northwestern lower peninsula, to Ann Arbor near Detroit in the southeastern portion of the state. It runs through some beautiful countryside from farmlands in the south to the hills and forests of the north.

I was just wondering if anyone else had anything to share about the GLC? If so post it here. Also feel free to share any pics of locomotives, rolling stock, and trackside structures / scenery.

Thanks!

 

[nikos1]

Why dont you start with some pictures?

 

[chrisracer8903]

I live down on the west side of Detroit where CSX and whats left of the CP still runs through, but I do go to Durand sometimes and watch the GLC interchange grain trains with the Ann Arbor Railroad down at Osmer siding north of Ann Arbor.

 

[bryinmich]

Why dont you start with some pictures?

I would if I had some. It's been VERY bitterly cold here and the train runs through at odd schedules. I live quite a ways from it. It would most likely be gone by the time I got there even by car. And I'm not a train-chaser.

But if I do happen to catch it I'll get some pics. I might take some next time I'm in town of the tracks, yard, old depot and current buildings. Don't expect it anytime soon however.

I thought I'd start this forum for ANY GLC fans and hoping to see something more than what I see locally. It's a BIG track system they have. Hundreds of miles-worth!

I too am curious like you.

I live down on the west side of Detroit where CSX and whats left of the CP still runs through, but I do go to Durand sometimes and watch the GLC interchange grain trains with the Ann Arbor Railroad down at Osmer siding north of Ann Arbor.

Very cool. I know Durand quite well as I had relatives that lived there for many years. Unfortunately no living relatives there now. Please share some pics if you have any of GLC interchange grain trains if you have any. That'd be nice to see.

 

[whitepass]

Did the GLC have a line running by Torch Lake, the old C&O line?

 

[bryinmich]

Did the GLC have a line running by Torch Lake, the old C&O line?

I don't believe so. It heads up the US-131 corridor and I think it's a bit more east of Torch Lake. Here's a link to a pdf file of the current rail lines in Michigan.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_Official_Rail_130897_7.pdf

 

[bryinmich]

Recent activity on the GLC in Owosso, MI on November 5, 2008, posted by shafferfox on YouTube. Best when watched in high quality!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww8pUVH0CiU

Description: "The Owosso-headquartered Great Lakes Central Railroad switching freight outside of Fisher's Redi-Mix Concrete in Owosso, Michigan."

Note the GATX / GMTX locomotives.

Another YouTube link of the old steam locomotive Pere Marquette 1225 leaving Owosso, MI on November 28, 2008. Again, posted by shafferfox. Listen to the timbers and rails creak in the morning cold as the locomotive approaches the camera!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YACyF7xzsU

Description: "An excursion run leaving Owosso, Michigan, late in the afternoon on November 28, 2008. The train is pulled by the 800,000 pound (including tender) Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive ― the largest operating steam engine locomotive in Michigan. Steven Spielberg's production company filmed the sights and sounds of the 1225 for the computer rendering of the movie, "Polar Express," and Lionel Model Trains has also recorded the sounds of the 1225 for its new electric toy model train, "The 1225" ― the namesake of Owosso's 1225.

Owosso, Michigan, is the headquarters of the Steam Railroading Institute, which includes a museum and other facilities. The institute's 3.5 acre grounds also hold a roundhouse, the Pere Marquette 1225, the 82,000 pound Flagg Coal Company steam switch engine, the 136,000 pound Mississippian steam locomotive (under restoration), plus many train cars and other rolling stock from railroads in the United States and Canada.

The Owosso-based Steam Railroading Institute will be the location of TrainFestival 2009 from July 24th thru July 26th, 2009. The festival is projected to draw 30,000 visitors to Owosso. On display will be additional steam-era equipment, including the 1225's sister steam locomotive - Nickel Plate Road's 765.

Owosso, Michigan, is also the headquarters of the Great Lakes Central Railroad, which provides freight service to Northern and Southern Michigan, and chartered passenger rail service. The Great Lakes Central Railroad will soon be providing daily commuter rail passenger service in Michigan as well."

Enjoy! I'll post more later.

 

[bryinmich]

I live down on the west side of Detroit where CSX and whats left of the CP still runs through, but I do go to Durand sometimes and watch the GLC interchange grain trains with the Ann Arbor Railroad down at Osmer siding north of Ann Arbor.

Found it on YouTube!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N4sWZHhvnI

 

[illinoiscentral]

Welcome to the forums, bryinmich! Your videos are great! Nice railfanning up there in Michigan, I'll have to come see it for myself sometime. I'm from Central Illinois and we have some fantastic railfanning there. [better about 30-40 years ago I've heard]. Since you're new to the forums, I recomend first reading the Code of Conduct [a mistake I made was not reading it first] and also check out "How to use the forums daily" by backyard. PM me soon, I'm new too, we can share some experiences. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers, Woody.

 

[bryinmich]

Welcome to the forums, bryinmich! Your videos are great! Nice railfanning up there in Michigan, I'll have to come see it for myself sometime. I'm from Central Illinois and we have some fantastic railfanning there. [better about 30-40 years ago I've heard]. Since you're new to the forums, I recomend first reading the Code of Conduct [a mistake I made was not reading it first] and also check out "How to use the forums daily" by backyard. PM me soon, I'm new too, we can share some experiences. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers, Woody.

Thanks for the welcome!

Another video courtesy of shafferfox of YouTube of the 1225 Polar Express in Owosso, MI. Awesome video!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPhFTf-cgMk

 

[illinoiscentral]

Wow, awesome is an understatement! Super steam show. Nothing compares to a steam engine in cold weather!

 

[bryinmich]

Thanks IllinoisCentral. That was pretty awesome video of steam in the Winter!

Here's a recent GLC consist running near my neck of the woods in northern Michigan, posted on YouTube by user kverberk. It's an ex-Ann Arbor RR GP-35 diesel leading the pack.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeYANKxkJ0&feature=channel_page

It's a short consist, but enjoy nonetheless.

 

[bryinmich]

Grain Train Extra

Been a while since I've posted a video; but here's one taken by TSBY (YouTube user) of the GLC at speed. 5 locomotives power this behemoth grain train Extra south of Byron, MI. Their destination? The Osmer siding, to be turned over to the Ann Arbor Railroad. That's the interchange point between the GLC and the A2.

You will definitely notice the clickity-clack those grain cars make as they cross over jointed rail.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcZ8aupRm3E

 

[bryinmich]

Winter Rail Fan

Hi all!

YouTube user kverberk posted these wonderful winter rail fan videos on YouTube today. Thought I'd share them with you all. it IS a very cold blustery winter day here! Enjoy!



Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOuMhUv8rRM
GLC GP35 #393 heads along the ex-NMRR line to the Cadillac North yard.

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MXQhShZsq0
GLC GP35 #393 backs up to gather more freight to head north.

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4NMvfvB37c
GLC GP35 #393 heads north out of the Cadillac North yard.

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkmfY8rX_lY
GLC GP35 #393 seen here passing through Manton, MI. Great horns!

 

[jkinzel]

I was getting cold just looking at the map, then I saw the videos.
Darn, that place looks cold.

 

[bryinmich]

I was getting cold just looking at the map, then I saw the videos.
Darn, that place looks cold.

Thanks for posting jkinzel

You know it! And this is March 11th mind you! You should see it in Jan / Feb!

:hehe:

It just goes to show the brutal weather conditions that the railroad has to work in, but nice to know they keep going no matter the weather! Those Geep 35s are real workhorses and goes to show the skill of the men / women that operate them too!

 

[illinoiscentral]

Hmm, here I am in Tennessee enjoying 75 degree weather in February and March!:hehe: Cheers.

 

[jkinzel]

Hmm, here I am in Tennessee enjoying 75 degree weather in February and March!:hehe: Cheers.

28 at night 45 at the warmest part of the day. Can't wait for summer.

 

[bryinmich]

WIP Report

Hi all,

I hopefully will post some new photos of the GLC this Spring. It's just been too snowy, rainy cold to go out railfanning. So stay tuned!

 

[MidMichigan24GP9]

never have had a chance to see the GLC but have seen the TSBY.
Shortlines and regionals are cool.