Great Lakes Central Middleton Line

[@Jleed989]

When I was growing up in this area, this was the old Grand Trunk line. It terminates in Middleton now but it used to go west through Carson City, Butternut, Sheridan, and on to Greenville. In the real old days, it went all the way to Muskegon.

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

Thanks for the history. I appreciate it! I can only imagine what that looked like... which is kind of why I'm documenting this stuff--so there is visual documentation of operations that people can easily access 30, 40, 50 years from now.

[@MITracks]

Very nice catch. I have cross those tracks on 127 and never seen a train there. Maybe with CHS being in Middleton the line will be a little busier. I see in google street view 2011 it wasn't even there.

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

Thanks! Same here - NEVR - and I'm 50!! I got lucky with this catch - thought it was an odd looking ONTN. :D It definitely looks like this may be a quasi regular train, based on the size of that facility in Middleton. Seeing the push-pull maneuver was cool.

[@MichiganRailProductions]

Awesome job documenting a line in which isn't filmed very often! That yard move in Middleton was cool! I have one question: Have you ever thought of chasing Cadillac - TC? If you thought the Middleton's tracks were bad, you should look at the tracks on the south end of TC!

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Clare to Cadillac is high on my list. While I'd LOVE to shoot the Cadillac to TC run, I'd have to have reliable information on run before committing to such a trip.

[@MichiganRailProductions]

Based on info from railroadfan.com, they run Cadillac - Clare 2 to 3 times per week, while they go north (to TC or Elmira) 2 to 3 times per week. Once in a great while they'll do both Elmira and TC in one day so that they can get to Elmira twice in a week without having to deal with TC on a separate day (traffic demand is high out in Elmira, they need a lot of cement cars). TC day is usually on Thursday, however it is not unheard of for them to go on a Wednesday or a Friday. The best way to film anything out of Cadillac is by showing up in Cadillac Yard at around 8-8:30a, and see if they go north, or if they go south. The best way of knowing this before they leave Cadillac is by their consist. If it's a centerbeam/boxcar (usually only 1 or 2 cars) it's going to TC. If it's a line of cement cars, it's going to Elmira. If there are LPG tanks on the cement train, those will be dropped at Kalkaska. A train that is widely mixed is most likely going south to Clare/McBain. On the CSTN, they almost always stop in McBain to switch some cars. I hope this info helps!

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

Thank you for the great info!! Railroadfan.com is a wonderful site and valuable resource.

[@MichiganRailProductions]

Your welcome!

[@MartyLJ57]

I thought that the Middleton branch was abandoned. Glad to see I'm wrong

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

As was I, Marty. :) Since this filming, I've noticed that they make this run quite regularly, particularly during harvest season, and with massive trains. Sadly, it's still difficult to catch unless you have the luxury of hearing crews get their orders before leaving Owosso.

[@nedfellers489]

It is abandoned west of Middleton. Ex Grand Trunk all the way to Muskegon...cut back to Greenville around 1948 or so ..

[@Jleed989]

Ned Fellers the tracks are still there to Carson City but not used for years

[@up448sp4449]

Trains + Cat = great video

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

LOL!! Took me a minute to remember the cat - I'm glad you like it!

[@dennisb-trains23]

Awesome video!! Those tracks through Perrinton sure are bad no wonder the go so slow. I hope they didn't pick up a bit lunch in Ashley that could of been a waste of money going over the Bob n away tracks.😃😃😓😓😓😓

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch! They’ve done work on that branch since this video was made but 10mph limit is still in place. Middleton Diner has good eats. 😉

[@dennisb-trains23]

@@toddfeldpausch9489 I'm thankful you post videos of the closest rail to me and do such a professional job. Your location info tags are so appreciated and valuable to understand what's going on. I wish I had the patience and ability to do what you do but I'll leave it to you since you do such great work.

[@stevenmiller5366]

I agree with everyone else Awesome job!!! I live in Lansing too, and have passed this crossing going north or coming south...…….I think the only time I had seen traffic on this line was in the late 60s to the early 70s...…….I wonder why they haven't petitioned the MDOT for some cash to upgrade this track?

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

Thank you for the compliment and watching!! They still run trains on it but its very difficult to catch. I'm guessing they upgraded this line at least a little after they derailed a train on it in late summer early fall.

[@gracenauen9828]

Do you think that you could Ask if they would Post a time’s when that might before going out .Qst.

[@toddfeldpausch9489]

It never hurts to ask. :)