Trainspotting in SE Michigan

[Anonymous]

Hi everybody, I'm new to this site and a Railroad enthusiast.  I was wondering if there is anybody  from SE michigan who knows where to go for some real good trainspotting either at a site or an railyard. 

Also if thre is an group that meets or something in that nature. 

Thank you 

[sanvtoman]

 

 Not quite sure where you are I know the Adrian and Blissfield has some switching activities. Detroit is one big railyard also. 

[J. Edgar]

 howdy...lifelong railfan and former railroader from SE MI....not aware of any "groups" but there are numerous places to fan

 heres a few of my favs

 

  Plymouth Mi....CSX Saginaw sub crosses the CSX Plymouth sub ...2 seperate yards near the diamond....block or 2 from downtown...many places to watch the action from safe publc places easy access from I-275 and M-14

 Wayne Mi...CSX Saginaw sub crosses NS former Conrail line....limited access to diamond but plenty of public places around the area...Wayne yd on NS switches the huge Wayne assembly and Michigan truck plant of Ford Motor...but not much publc access

Romulus Mi...CSX Saginaw sub crosses the NS former Wabash line....pretty much right downtown....can stand on the city sidewalk and watch the diamond...Landing Strip topless gentlemens club southwest corner of the diamond

 

 and favorite fav.....my front porch...... milepost CH 54 Plymouth sub CSX former Pere Marquette

 

[tree68]

A trip to Durand can prove entertaining.  Nice old station with museum, and a couple of lines crossing. 

[Anonymous]

Hay thanks every body.  I really appreciate it.   I was wondering if its possible , can you get to one of the yards, or is that impossible.  I know that there are a few like south of eureka and 275  and then there is one south of taylor.  But anyhoo thanks for the info.

[tree68]

As I recall, an issue of Trains several years ago had an article on southeastern Michigan.  Check the back issue index.

[J. Edgar]

Hay thanks every body.  I really appreciate it.   I was wondering if its possible , can you get to one of the yards, or is that impossible.  I know that there are a few like south of eureka and 275  and then there is one south of taylor.  But anyhoo thanks for the info.

 trespassing is highly frowned upon...and illegal..and really most railroads dont even like the idea of taking pictures from public places....we are all terrorist in todays world....but

Plymouth Yd both east yd and north yd can been seen from public streets but theres not a whole lotta action any more

 as mentioned Durand is a great place to be...lots of action to be seen from the Depot Museum

 downriver Flat Rock Yd is somewhat accessible depending on vegetation

[tregurtha]

I second the nomination of Durand. Although in my experience, there seems to be a flurry of activity in the early to mid morning and some slow times in the early afternoon. Two CN lines cross there; one that comes up from Detroit/Canada and one that goes from Canada to the Chicago area.

 

If you're willing to take a little road trip from southeast Michigan, drive south on I-75 through Toledo and then catch 20/23 to Fostoria. Unbelieveable action. Upwards of 100 trains a day and lots of high-speed action. CSX and NS have a couple diamonds there. The Amtrak station in town is a great place to set up shop. Take a chair and a gas grill and you're in business.