Railroad History Story: Logging the North Woods
Michigan's Internet Railroad History Museum
Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad
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After the loader was in position, they lifted the wheels off the track so flat cars could be slid underneath the loader and on down the track behind. This unique system allowed for the loader and log cars to occupy the same piece of railroad track. |
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The Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena has a connection with the GR&I at Boyne Falls. Trains coming in from Boyne City would continue east on the main past the wye track at Moore, then back around the wye and on into Boyne Falls. Engine No. 5, with a combined coach, is backed into the stub track at the Depot. |
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The Grand Rapids & Indiana had several trains per day between Mackinaw City to the north, and south to Grand Rapids and points beyond. Here a GR&I northbound passenger train works at the station at Boyne Falls. |
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To cut costs, the BCG&A purchased a Gas Motorcar to work the shuttle between Boyne City and Boyne Falls. This turned out to be a temperamental beast, and once while climbing the grade out of Boyne City, the motor backfired and caught on fire. The motorcar was burned up. |
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Railroad maintenance before power tools was a backbreaking ordeal. Here a Section Foreman (holding the shadow board) and his crew of Gandy Dancers poses for a photo with many of the tools of the trade. |
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With little known about the limitations of track structure, much was left to guess work. It would seem by the photo that the train crew discovered either how fast was too fast around this curve, or how many logs per car was too many. |
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Snow was a big issue when trying to keep the right of way open in the winter. Here, a snowplow special blasts through a drift east of Gaylord, with three locomotives providing power. |
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Loads of logs such as these, arrived in Boyne City at a steady flow. An estimate of 25-30 carloads per day were said to arrive during the height of the logging season. |
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