RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
Todd's Railfan Guide to:
DURAND MI
In General
Map
Sights
Signals
Crossings & Stuff
Train Pix
Floobydust
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Durand has one of my favorite depots, bar none, but that isn't the only reason to visit Durand. The Depot houses the Michigan Railroad Museum, the Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers, and last but not least, a small Amtrak facility.
The Museum has a nice display of Michigan railroad artifacts, as well as many nice displays in their spacious rooms (they are indeed lucky in this respect). They also have a well stocked gift shop, and had a run of special 4449 t-shirts printed up for the Owosso Train Fest 2009. You also have access to the turret, which offers a great view of almost everything, and used to be the command center for the Grand Trunk and Ann Arbor!
Their phone number is 989-288-3561, and their address is 200 Railroad Street, Durand MI, 48429.
The museum hours are 1 to 5pm on Tue, Wed, Thu, and Sun. Friday and Saturdays, they open at 10am. They're closed on Mondays and holidays.
They also have a library which is open on Saturdays or by appointment.
Their website is: www.durandstation.org .
The Depot is the focal point of the Durand Railroad Days, which is the first weekend after Mother's Day. Featured are a parade, carnival, demonstrations, and a craft show. For more info, check: www.durandrailroaddays.com .
The model railroad layout features a pike with over 1300 feet of track on two levels (close to 21 miles scale), and is fully DCC'd. It is modeled after the area, and the layout contains great replica of the Durand Depot. The club is open on Saturdays, 1-4pm.
The depot sits on a fairly active diamond, and almost everything coming thru Durand can be shot from the platforms.
Across the tracks from the depot sits GT caboose #75003, and not too far away in the Kiwanis Park is GT steamer #5632, baggage car #8812, and a well preserved WRRS wig-wig crossing signal.
The yard is now gated, so access is not possible without going to a lot of trouble and trespassing. Darn.
Durand is in close proximity to Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Owosso, and Bridgeport, so don't pass up the opportunity to railfan those places.
1 The Durand Union Station & the Michigan Railroad History Museum
2 The Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers
3 at the Kiwanis Park & Across the Tracks
The Western RR Supply Wig-Wag
1
Coming in from the interstate, this is the first signal you come to, a two
head searchlight signal for the approach into the yard on the ex CM line
from Saginaw.
2
Off the end of Russell at the interchange track are these
two signals, this dwarf is the only one protected by a cage, it controls the
siding
3
Looking "south" down the double track towards Oak from the depot, and then
looking further south from Oak (below at 4). If you love searchlight signals, this
is your place. Finally on the right, a CN freight heading towards the
depot at Oak Rd. They are all US&S signals.
4
5
Looking from Main St towards the depot.
6
Looking north towards Flint from Main St.
Crossing signals and equipment detectors on the single
track at Main Street.
Forced hot air heaters are used in wintertime to keep the
turnouts clear.
Looking both ways from Oak Rd on the left, and looking into the yard from the depot
on the right.
The grade crossing signal as you come out of Russell onto
Main St, and a "no horn" warning sign at most of the crossings.
Two sets of these signals protect the crossings by the
bank on Oak and Monroe, these are on Oak.
The coaling tower buried inside the yard, and the double track main grade
crossing on Oak Rd.
A GT geep passes the depot, picks up a few cars, then
heads north towards Flint... a find buried in the yard, wish we coulda
gotten closer.
You can't be everywhere at the same time, these two
freights came thru town while we were getting shots of the GT geep above.
Looking down Oak.
At the Fire Station.
You pass by this sign coming into Durand from Lansing on the interstate,
because of funding by the state, the future of the train is unsure.
These unsavory characters watch you as you make the turn
from Oak onto Main St (or vice-versa :-).
NEW 08/16/2009
Last Modified
15-Apr-2012