West Michigan Railroad History

[DelayInBlock]

Hello all,

Recently, I filmed the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford and have a nice amount of footage for a decent video. What I need from you guys is a brief history of the line, as I am not very familiar with it. Also, what customers originally existed in Paw Paw? What was the line built for anyways? I was reading somewhere that the Paw Paw branch was originally supposed to extend to Kzoo, then go north to Lansing. The PM was stopped though by the New York Central, with their control of the branch line the PM wanted to control. Is there any truth to this?

Also, I read somewhere that the Little Engine that Could was based off of the grade near Lake Cora. Any truth to that as well?

What is this about a dinner train that used to frequent that line? Any info on that would be great. I'd love some old photos of that train for use in the video, so if anyone has stuff like that, shoot me a private message.

Thanks,

-DIB

[MQT1223]

The line from Paw Paw to Lawton if I remember correctly has been gone since the late 30's, torn up in WWII for scrap drives. I believe the Chicago and West Michigan was the original builder but I could be way off on that. The Kalamazoo, Lake Shore and Chicago was the old dinner train that operated in the 90's on that line. There is a thread somewhere on here about that train and it's white GP9. Pioneer ran the West Michigan until recently when it was sold and a new operator took over. There is a thread on that too.

[Doktor No]

Your homework assignment for the evening DIB is to aquire the book All ABoard! A History of Railroads In Mihcigan by Willis Dunbar. Should be readily available and should cover MOST of your questions. Either that or anything by Graydon Meints. His books cover EVERYTHING in detail.

[railohio]

Your homework assignment for the evening DIB is to aquire the book All ABoard! A History of Railroads In Mihcigan by Willis Dunbar.

QFT. Do the research first and then ask for clarification if needed.

[DelayInBlock]

Your homework assignment for the evening DIB is to aquire the book All ABoard! A History of Railroads In Mihcigan by Willis Dunbar.

QFT. Do the research first and then ask for clarification if needed.

Well, considering the fact that I have been doing research and haven't found everything I need, that is why I asked.

[ConrailMan5]

Hello all,

Recently, I filmed the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford and have a nice amount of footage for a decent video. What I need from you guys is a brief history of the line,
B

The Sharks will get you every time if you leave bait out there like this Drayton, watch your phrasing. I thought the same thing when I read this. Almost pulled out the Let me google that for you bit too

[GP30M4216]

As an historian I'll throw out there that it might be helpful if you tell us where you've already looked. For example, the wikipedia page for the West Michigan Railroad seems to a have a surprising amount of detail, although I was always told in school that you should never cite wikipedia since that information can't be verified. But did you look at that already? Dok's recommendation of Dunbar''s comprehensive book on Michigan Rail history is an exceptional work and no doubt will help you researching other lines as well. Also, I'm not sure since I don't own either one, but either of Graydon Meints' two books on Michigan Railroad history might also be useful for your work: Michigan Railroads and Railroad Companies and Railroads for Michigan.

I think the fruit industry was an important component of the business along that line.

I hope this helps (and don't forget to thank/cite your sources).

[Racer]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train that was operating on the West Michigan Railroad before it moved to Coe Rail/ MAL (and closed in 2008/2009 with the MAL Railway closing 3 years later)?

[AARR]

I believe you are correct

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train that was operating on the West Michigan Railroad before it moved to Coe Rail/ MAL (and closed in 2008/2009 with the MAL Railway closing 3 years later)?

[Saturnalia]

A thread worth your time:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26366#p254391

[CAT345C]

I think CSX_Co has some insight on the line, I just read on a different forum that the reason for the big curve at Hartford was because the predecessors to Csx originally wanted to go to Kalamazoo, then on to Lanskng, but the predecessors to the NYC blocked that effort by controlling the line.

[Schteinkuh]

The Kalamazoo, Lake Shore and Chicago was the old dinner train that operated in the 90's on that line. There is a thread somewhere on here about that train and it's white GP9.

Chop nose GP7 actually. Unfortunately it met the torch about a decade ago.

[NS3322]

The Kalamazoo, Lake Shore and Chicago was the old dinner train that operated in the 90's on that line. There is a thread somewhere on here about that train and it's white GP9.

Chop nose GP7 actually. Unfortunately it met the torch about a decade ago.

Was it scrapped at what is now Azcon Corp in Chicago?
The scrap yard is near the Hegewisch Shore Line stop.

[Super Chief]

When I worked the dinner train Mark Campbell was President and COO, Kevin McKinney was Vp, Jamie Serensits was Sales & Marketing. Jerry Kerns was engineer (now GDLK) . Don't know what happen to Mark but Kevin went on to Amtrak. When they went belly up judge appointed a Chicago Railroad Club member as trustee. Actually GDLK 7030 looks just like the Geep we had both were ATSF. engines which hung around Corwith yard a lot.

[Super Chief]

Heard a rumor all of Pioneers power for this branch is congregated near the CSX tracks in Hartford. Geep 908 SW 100 and a SW 1200 not the number the model. Can anybody confirm?

[SD80MAC]

Heard a rumor all of Pioneers power for this branch is congregated near the CSX tracks in Hartford. Geep 908 SW 100 and a SW 1200 not the number the model. Can anybody confirm?

The only Pioneer engines on the line were GP9 #908 and NW2u #100.

[Doktor No]

The line was originally The Fruit Belt and The South Haven and Eastern and at one time the Toledo and South Haven and went into Kalamazoo. They had their own station down where WMU is now I believe. The PM got into the line to TRY to get the CK&S up into Woodbury and get around GRR and the hill at Saugatuck (I assume)...thats why the MC et. al. bought CK&S to thwart that invasion.
And yes I AM A SHARK, don't suffer unto fools gladly at all when the info is easy to aquire. If you do ANYTHING AT ALL with railroads in Michigan and you do NOT HAVE All Aboard you fail your history assignment and will be banished to the back of the line. Go to page 190 thru 194 The Little Fellows.
Explains it all in just a few pages. The book is a standard reference and is at my left hand on the computer desk at all times. The DeLorme is at the right hand, that has the maps.
Doc in Rockford

[Doktor No]

And I also assume you sell your productions on the open market DIB? Then you can afford to do the research and peg some cash for a book or two. The cost would be deductable ya know.
No nothing is easy....
EOM.

[DLM]

Both Pioneer engines were parked a couple hundred feet east of the CSX interchange behind a factory last Thursday. If the tracks went to the west, they could run a casino train. And the guy still has Jeep FC-150's for sale on CR-681 south of I-94. I have always wanted one.

[CSX_CO]

I think CSX_Co has some insight on the line, I just read on a different forum that the reason for the big curve at Hartford was because the predecessors to Csx originally wanted to go to Kalamazoo, then on to Lanskng, but the predecessors to the NYC blocked that effort by controlling the line.

Insight provided through Mark Tomlinson at the KMRHS, and the railroad history of the area he put together. Should be one in the KMRHS library at their club house.