Help with Michigan Railroads

[Anonymous]

I am currently building my first layout - a N-scale door-top layout described in one of the Kalmbach books, the Carolina Central. The topography and scenery of the layout looks very similar to my home state of Michigan, so I made an executive decision and moved the location from the Carolinas to Western Michigan. However, I haven't had much luck finding locomotives for the railraod that I remember most, the Grand Trunk Western. Can anyone suggest another railroad that would have operated in the Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Muskegon area during the 70s and 80s that I could purchase ready to roll? Since I'm new to modeling I'd prefer not to have to scratch-build, convert, or even paint my own locomotives.

[Anonymous]

Locally going back,to 1900 The Pere Marguette was a local player. There's even a Berkshire in Grand Haven. The PM was absorbed by the C&O in the thirties and the B&O was merged into
the C&O in1963.

On June 15-73, the C&O became part of the renamed Chessie System.

The C&O/B&O joined the Amtrack system in 1971.

The Chessie also operated a ferry service across Lake Michigan.
Here's an steam idea. Between April and Oct 1977, the Chessie operated a special steam
train over much of it's system to honor the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the B&O and
was in western Michigan area for a week.

On July 24th, 1977 operated a steam excursion trip from Grand Rapids to Chicago.

The Penn /Central which served west Michigan became part of Conrail in 1973.

These are only bits and pieces. Perhaps there will be other respondents.

[joseph2]

Until 1976 the Penn Central ran from Kalamazoo thru Grand Rapids to Mackinaw.After 1976 a shortline called the Michigan Northern took over that line. Joe G.

[pmsteamman]

As the others have stated above Chessie System and Conrail ran in the area you are wondering. Atlas and Kato both produce excellent N scale models that are ready to run in these paint schemes. Welcome to the hobby if you have any more questions just ask.

[DonaldAgne]

Hi, ottokar. I also grew up in Michigan in a little town, Plainwell, just north of Kalamazoo. This comment won't be of much help to you, I'm afraid; just a little color commentary. A spur that ran from the main line to the paper mill in town ran right past my cousin's back yard, and every afternoon, as the switcher passed by on its way to pick up some cars, the engineer leaned out the window and threw miniature tootsie rolls to us kids. Of course, we called it the "Tootsie Roll Train." Sorry I can't help you with road names and such, but I remember the engine was all black.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the GTW was acquired by CN in later years.

See http://www.gtwhs.org

[ndbprr]

Prr had a branch that went to Muskegon via Grands Rapids. Also had a line that ran from Grand Rapids to Macinaw City. Later PC then CR but Grand Rapids was a B&O town after their takeover of Pere Marquette. Lots of options!

[Wdlgln005]

Perhaps the GTW was acquired by CN in later years.

GTW was the western end of the original Grand Trunk. GTW was always owned by CN as it's US property, with several lines connecting at Durand.
You should run out & get the 2 all-color GTW books! Great photos, modeling tips & ideas.

You may find Atlas/GTW black TTGP9's, also some GP-40. You should also find some GTW rolling stock. Have some fun & include some old 1950's green/yellow scheme locos and an old maple leaf boxcar or two.

Best bet is to check out MTL cars for old GT issues.

[Anonymous]

Atlas produced some n-scale diesels in the DT&I orange scheme recently--I know the DT&I didn't run in western Michigan but at least it is close!! Also, if you operate your line as a shortline, many shortlines buy engines from railroads or brokers and never repaint, other than add reporting marks (the railroads initials, for example TSBY--Tuscola and Saginaw Bay--they do repaint their engines). I have seen many a UP engine in shortline service with the UP painted over in yellow and reporting marks stenciled on the cab.

[Anonymous]

[:)]

[ClinchValleySD40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Later PC then CR but Grand Rapids was a B&O town after their takeover of Pere Marquette. Lots of options!

Sorry, but that should be C&O and not B&O.

[conford]

There were two railroads which served Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Muskegon: the GTW and the PRR (later the PC, then Conrail). The GTW reached Kazoo on a branch up off the main from Pavilion. GR was on the Durand to Grand Haven line, Muskegon at the end of a branch from Durand that was abandoned after WWII. During the 1960s the GTW had traffic rights over the PRR line from Grand Rapids to Muskegon.

The PRR's Grand Rapids and Indiana branch ran from Ft Wayne, through Kazoo, GR and up to Mackinaw City. Branch from GR to Muskegon. If you really want a line that serves all 3, the PRR is the best bet because the three cities were well connected by the PRR. Or concentrate on Muskegon, which had heavy indsutry, car ferries, passenger trains til 1971 (on the C&O) steam til about 1958 (GTW).

I can understand why some folks would like the GTW to model in the three cities, especially because it was a Michigan area RR and because steam lasted so long. However the PRR models are common (somebody make PPR gons please!) and the services to Muskegon are modelable. Well, I think so.

Enjoy your trains,
Peter