I grew up in southwest Michigan and became a railfan in a world of NYC, GTW, and PRR.  Living within sight of the PRR, I became partial to that north-south line with its various road freights, way freight, yard limit switching, N6b cabooses and variety of diesel motive power, including Alco RS-2s.  Still, I valued the GTW that came into the area on a branch off the Port Huron, MI to Chicago main line with its daily EMD SW-1200, as well as the NYC which dominated the area because of its abundant operations and trackage, including the ex-Michigan Central main, ex-LS&MS line, ex-CK&S line, and various yards.  .