RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
Todd's Railfan Guide to:
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MI
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Bay City hosts two yards, one belongs to the Lake State RR, and the other to the Huron and Eastern (formerly Central of Michigan). There are also two swing bridges, and three wyes, altho one of them has had one of it's legs "cut" off. I haven't been here for a while, so some of the info may be out of date, altho right-of-way info and aerial shots were taken from www.bing.com/maps (it used to be maps.live.com), so that info should be reasonably up-to-date. Waiting for trains to go over the bridges make take more patience than you have, so a stop to the yards for some info may prove to be worthwhile. Last time I stopped thru here was pre 9-11, and people were friendly.... so I don't know if things have gotten "worse" towards railfans. Minnesota Commercial and the RS&S (Rockdale, Sandow & Southern) above Austin TX still rate on the top of my friendly list, even post 9-11.
Looking in from Wilder Road, and what you can see from
there... Not much here, and their track ends on the other side of the
yard... I guess they lost their customers up there.
The Lake State shops and their frequencies.
On the day we were there, there was quite a collection of
equipment sitting around.... In addition to the H&E stuff, there were still
a few geeps painted CM hanging around, as well as a few units in Rail
America and Central Oregon and Pacific, and a couple of "B" units, which
today are really rare.... A great break from the big class one's!
Three aerial views of the Huron & Eastern yard, and the frequencies.
The Park off State Street
The park used to sport a wye, but one side of it has been removed. It must still be pretty cool to see a freight come through if you're there for a game (of course, the baseball fans might not think so :-)
the "Western" Swing Bridge along Woodside Ave and the Wye Approach
The sidewalk on Liberty bridge affords an excellent view
of the bridge, and also for a freight going over it if you can catch one!
Small Yard off Woodside
A number of years ago, I had a gentleman in England send me a CD with pictures of Tilting Target signals he had taken here in the U.S. (click here for the page they are on). One of them was in Bay City. I looked all over for it, and never saw it until I emailed him, and he told me where it was. Well, if you look to the left in the picture on the left, you will just barely make out that very same signal. I need some new glasses I guess. Well, maybe next year I can stop by again and get my own pictures (dunno why, John did an excellent job)....
the "Eastern" Swing Bridge
Charter Township of Bangor Fire Dept
This station is on E Wheeler Rd, at State Park Dr.
Bay Metro Transit Shops
I got lost and came across this by accident, I guess someone was watching over me..... I don't know if they have another facility or not. It is on N Johnson St, off Woodside where you come over the river on the Truman Pkwy.
Unusual Turn Signals
These are at the junction of Tierman Rd and E Wilder Rd.
NEW 07/06/2009
Last Modified
16-Apr-2012