Above, the Michigan Central Railroad depot at Vandalia, Michigan around 1911.  This station was on the Michigan Air Line branch of the MCRR, between Jackson and Niles.  Note the "signal box" on the front of the depot, which was in common use on the MCRR's Air Line and some other lines.  The signal box was used by the operator to advise trains of previous train departures.  The water standpipe between the tracks is used for filling steam engine tenders.  Its water source is, no doubt, a nearby water tower.  [Mark Worrall Collection]  Below, another early photo of Vandalia, which shows the water tower.