Station: West Detroit, Michigan
Michigan's Internet Railroad History Museum
Also known oroginally as
Grand Trunk Junction
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(Above) West Detroit interlocker was 3 miles west of the Michigan Central Depot, and was the crossing of the Conrail main line to Chicago, with the NS/Detroit & Toledo Shore Line. In the early days before the consolidation of the NYC, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern also crossed the MCRR here. The Chessie System engine and caboose is proceeding west across the Wabash diamond on the Conrail. Charlie Whipp photograph from February 26, 1984. |
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(Above) The inside of West Detroit tower. The interlocking levers of the plant were operated by two "levermen" who were supervised by a "train director". This was a GRS No. 5 interlocking machine. West Detroit was probably the busiest interlocking tower in Michigan during from 1900 to 1980. The photo below was taken in March, 1989 as sunset approached. [Charlie Whipp photographs.] |
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Notes:
- 1935: West Detroit Tower communicated on several Grade Line Telephone circuits. On Grade No. 1 their call was 2 short rings. Also on this line were Livernois Avenue Yardmaster (1 long, 3 short), Miller Road Yardmaster (2 long, 1 short), Military Avenue switchtender (2 short, 1 long), and Town Line telegraph office (1 long, 1 short, 1 long). On Grade Line No. 2 (2 short rings) there were Beaubien Street Tower (1 long, 2 short), Belt Line Junction Tower (2 long, 3 short), Milwaukee Junction Tower (1 long, 3 short), North Yard Tower (3 long, 1 short), and Vinewood Avenue (1 long, 1 short). On Grade Line 5 (2 short) was the River Rouge Depot Yardmaster (2 long), Delray (3 short), Jefferson Avenue (1 long, 2 short), Rouge Drawbridge (4 short), and YD Tower (1 long, 1 short also known as Pleasant Avenue Tower).[MC Detroit Terminal Timetable No. 76]