Station: Emerson Street (MX) Tower, Michigan
Michigan's Internet Railroad History Museum
MX Tower
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Emerson Street Tower (better known as "MX", its telegraph call, protected the main lines of the Grand Trunk Western and the Michigan Central just east of the MCRR Saginaw River Drawbridge.
These photographs, from the collection of Robert W. Smith, appear to be taken in the 1960's. The tower was staffed by the Grand Trunk Western, and was likely not a 24-hour interlocker by the time these photographs were taken.
Around 1942, the GTW arranged to use the Michigan Central drawbridge over the river, and stopped using their own drawbridge which was just north of the MC bridge. After the trackage rights on the MC were arranged, the GTW main line was reduced to an industrial spur along the river towards downtown. The editor believes that the first (top) photograph is taken looking north, with the box cars on the former GTW main line. A 1961 GTW Employee timetable shows the tower only open from 0800 to 1600, Monday through Friday - to allow the switching of industry on the line beyond the tower.
A close look at the photos reveals some things of interest: 1) the tower appears to have only one pipe protruding from it to control signals or switches. 2) there are a number of examples of 20th century communications devices in the tower for both the MC and the GTW; 3) the track diagram ("model board") shows one of the most simple interlockings in Michigan, but there are some switches and derails that no doubt have been removed over the years. 4) Though not well marked, the connection between the MC and the GTW (top right of model board) is known as Merideth Street. [All photos: Robert W. Smith Collection]