$424K grant approved for Manistee rail relocation project

[Delray]

https://www.manisteenews.com/news/artic ... 138722.php

The federal grant is needed for planning to relocate approximately 3.5 miles of railroad tracks around Manistee Lake to eliminate three water crossings over aging bridges.

Looks like trains will take the south route around the lake. Get your pics while you can. No idea what kind of traffic Manistee gets

[DaveO]

a project that makes sense and should have been done years ago

[~Z~]

While it's a great idea to reroute to the south side of the lake, $424k is no where near the cost of moving the line...a lot of swampy land to navigate along that south end. Bridges or property to acquire. Big endeavor.

[NS3322]

No idea what kind of traffic Manistee gets

Packing Corp Of America
Martin Marietta Magnesia Chemicals
Rieth-Riley
Morton Salt

[Mark F]

When and why was the old line around the south side of the lake pulled up decades ago?

[Jim_c]

The two options proposed in the 2019 plan.

https://www.manisteecountymi.gov/Docume ... n-Plan-PDF

[GP30M4216]

No idea what kind of traffic Manistee gets

Packing Corp Of America
Martin Marietta Magnesia Chemicals
Rieth-Riley
Morton Salt

This trip report discusses some of the Manistee traffic and setup at the beginning:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=38169&p=472338

[EWRice]

Was there ever a connection on the southern end of the lake? Looking at arial photos, it sure doesn't look like there ever was, unless the old grade was the present Filer City/Huer Hill Rd. I've always been curious why the rail was routed the way it is up there.

[AARR]

I thought at one time the track circled completely around the lake and reconnected at the south end

Was there ever a connection on the southern end of the lake? Looking at arial photos, it sure doesn't look like there ever was, unless the old grade was the present Filer City/Huer Hill Rd. I've always been curious why the rail was routed the way it is up there.

[~Z~]

Was there ever a connection on the southern end of the lake? Looking at arial photos, it sure doesn't look like there ever was, unless the old grade was the present Filer City/Huer Hill Rd. I've always been curious why the rail was routed the way it is up there.

Yes, here's a couple of old maps:

[CAT345C]

The old grade from PCA south crossed over the Pere Marquette a few miles south of Stronach on a fly over and they proceeded due east. Heck of a grade from Filer City to the top of Stronach where they would tie back in.

[GRHC]

Was there ever a connection on the southern end of the lake? Looking at arial photos, it sure doesn't look like there ever was, unless the old grade was the present Filer City/Huer Hill Rd. I've always been curious why the rail was routed the way it is up there.

And here’s even more maps.