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Help in grand Rapids MI

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  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: right around here
  • 267 posts
Help in grand Rapids MI
Posted by gabeusmc on Thursday, December 1, 2011 10:22 AM

OK everbody, I am going to be in Grand Rapids MI next week. My little sister is getting back surgery and she has to be down there for  five days after the surgery, so i'll have lots of time on my hands, cause she probaly won't want me aroundBig Smile

So I said to myself why do a little railfanning while I am down there. So if anybody could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated. Also, know any good hobby shops down there?

"Mess with the best, die like the rest" -U.S. Marine Corp

MINRail (Minessota Rail Transportaion Corp.) - "If they got rid of the weeds what would hold the rails down?"

And yes I am 17.

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 4 posts
Posted by mcgaula on Friday, December 2, 2011 8:25 PM

Perhaps your best bet would be to go to the Amtrak station. I know they have one over there (Im from East Lansing). I have been going to the one here for the last 3 days as there are 4 tracks.

I do know that the Amtrak over on that side of the state goes from GR to Holland. I would bet there is some freight traffic in there as well. Best of luck and let us know if you catch anything!

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,445 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Thursday, December 8, 2011 10:26 AM

The pedestrian truss bridge downtown is a former RR bridge.  The Amtrak station is on the south side of downtown, along the CSX main.  The CSX yard is to the SW, and can be seen thru the trees on the south side of the I-196 freeway.  The NS yard is south of downtown along the US-131 freeway (overpass on Burton St. exit).  Keep an eye out for the (narrow gauge?) steam engine on display in the nearby warehouse district on the east side of the freeway.   The nearest tourest RR is about 10 miles west of town.   http://www.coopersvilleandmarne.org/

  • Member since
    October 2013
  • 25 posts
Posted by Robteed on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 6:16 AM

The steam locomotive is no longer there. I think it has been moved to the Coopersville & Marne for static display.

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