Michigan's Railroad Milestones

Michigan probably isn't the first state you think of when it comes to railroads. Instead you'd probably think about Michigan's history with the automobile industry but before automobiles, Detroit was well known for producing railroad cars! Despite that, Michigan is home to several railroad inventions, innovations, milestones, and general firsts that've contributed not only to railroads of the United States, but to the railroads of the world!
Music Used:
Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards - Aqua Star Select
Pokemon Sun & Moon - Pokemon Ride Land
Cooper Cannell - When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Super Smash Bros Ultimate - Shop Ultimate
Sonic Unleashed - Apotos Day
Super Monkey Ball - Jungle
Tomodachi Life - Clothing Shop
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[@michaelszyperski6519]

Glad to see someone has finally noted the Detroit and Mackinac's accomplishments. I think they've been kind of forgotten about in the last 30 years.

[@PereMarquette1223]

This is a well done video. Very impressed. Few to add, Michigan has more miles of abandoned railroad grades then any other and the last new station built by the C&O was in Grand Rapids.

[@ashipnerdoffical4260]

Sees this video: Me, a rail fan and Michigander who's interested in Michigan railroading history.

[@palan99]

Sees this video: Me, someone from michigan who constantly gets stopped by these damn things

[@CrossOfBayonne]

The Rock band Grand Funk Railroad is named the famed company

[@oofyalDAMMIT]

Let's not forget the Wolverine, as a person who used to live in Ann Arbor, I loved to railfan the hell outta these things

[@That_Thicc_Cat]

I was about to go to bed, but this is worth staying awake for lol

[@BTB796]

same

[@skipthefox4858]

Same

[@forsakenghost7054]

Same

[@consisepepper73]

Same lol

[@DerpyPossum]

lol same

[@amessman]

From what I understand the Pere Marquette route from Detroit to Grand Rapids was one of the first CTC systems as well. Awesome video, from one Michigander to another

[@bobriemersma]

I used to pass by PM 1225 every day as a freshman at MSU in 1974-75.

[@EricSmith-xc1hl]

1 more Michigan train fact. Jackson has the oldest continually operating station in the country (if memory serves). Great video👍.

[@Burlington_Route]

Happy at the fact that im going to Detroit tomorrow

[@844SteamFan]

I’m going next week! lol

[@bluebellsfan8704]

Have a nice trip you guys!

[@844SteamFan]

@@bluebellsfan8704 Thanks!

[@bluebellsfan8704]

@@844SteamFan np! Hope you see some beautiful things!

[@844SteamFan]

@Sans We are just going to the Henry Ford Museum.

[@bazineversformerchannel9114]

Ok this is a bit outdated but I share a birthday with the very 1st run of the Pere Marquette train in 1947. BTW, I like this video, 10/10

[@Trainman4014]

Raise your hand if you knew 1225 was going to be on there ✋

[@calebc.2290]

yup, I figured, i’ve also scence it in person back in 2019, quite a service the group has.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

It was pretty obvious that 1225 was gonna be on there cuz she's the most famous steam locomotive in Michigan

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Great video, fellow Michigander! Keep up the great work. -Drayton

[@hunterscharff9232]

It's nice to finally find a KZbinr from Michigan

[@rvnmedic1968]

Excellent vid and fascinating history of RR in MI.

[@davidlyon4950]

Great video!! Two interesting points, one that the Michigan Central was begun as a state owned railway and now the State of Michigan and Amtrak own most of the trackage. And also the famous Wabash Cannonball, from the song, ran from St Louis to Detroit. Then there's the Grand Funk Railroad.... lol,guess that makes three points of trivia 😆

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

For years, I've been riding my bike on the Pollyann Trail (Pontiac, Oxford, and Northern) and only recently discovered that my own grandfather was the engineer on that line from back and forth to Caseville from 1920 until after the war.

[@the_autism_express]

6:09 Imagine seeing one of those giant tank engines in person

[@twokharacters]

Seen much bigger in person.

[@ddueck7640]

This is an excellent video, well narrated, fast-paced and interspersed with interesting video clips. Good stuff!! Thanks.

[@wills_corner]

Happy to have Canadian National Diesels not only run by my house near Detroit, but across the road from my Grandparents house in the UP

[@johnmcqueen4883]

I grew up in Birmingham, north of Detroit. My dad commuted to Detroit on the Grand Trunk, and I was on the last steam round trip from Detroit (Birmingham) to Durand and back. Maybe it returned once more to Durand, but it was billed as the last revenue steam trip. The conductor remarked that if they could sell that many tickets every day they could get out of the red (it was a longer train than usual and packed.) I was about 13 at the time. We lived about three or four blocks from the line, and I’ve always said the frequent sound of steam engines was one of the best things about growing up there. Steam engines continued to be used for freight trains for a few more years on GTW. It was not the last revenue steam trip I took, though. In 1968 I travelled from La Paz, Bolivia to Charaña all day on a steam train. The diesel train from Arica, Chile picked us the next day for the rest of the trip.

[@bryanlosen3262]

Wow! It's amazing the impact that the state of Michigan has had on the railroad industry history…

[@karelvvv]

I was in 2000/2001 an exchange student at Harbor Springs highschool, and often went to Petoskey to shop, and I saw a lot of street tracks... i'd like more information about that and the U. P. And it's international railway bridge in Sue St. Marie....

[@DorniNerd]

Incredible! Didn't know much about my home state's history and facts. So nice to have a video on it! Awesome job fellow Michigander!

[@emjeebutterz4405]

As a fellow Michigander and train enthusiast, I found this video quite interesting and entertaining. I've always been intrigued especially by the railroading history of Detroit, near which I live. I was surprised to find out we once had electric trackage in the form of the third-railed Detroit River Tunnel. I certainly didn't expect the pictures of the Michigan Central Station with all station and yard trackage electrified as featured in this video. Detroit also has some other interesting tidbits, like the Dequindre Cut of the GTW, Fort Street Station, and SEMTA commuter rail from the 1980s. As a railfan, I sometimes wish I lived during the pre-Amtrak era of passenger railroading, seeing all the different railroads that used to run trains out of Detroit to many cities. The presence of the Big Three automobile manufacturers all within southeast Michigan has been a major barrier to more passenger service over many decades, and therefore while Detroit may not see the glory days of its passenger trains again, it's great to see this amazing history documented. I'd still love to see commuter rail make a return to Detroit, as it's on the roadmap for the transportation agencies around here, but for the reasons I mentioned, it might be very hard to make it happen.

[@davidlyon4950]

I remember seeing some old centenary for electrified tracks somewhere downriver-ish. I think it may have been above the old Wabash line.

[@kaiyack]

I’m a simple Michigander. I see a video about Michigan, I hit the like button. Maybe a video about the spaghetti bowl in Detroit and how it affects Amtrak?

[@flhxri]

I took the blue water from Flint to Chicago last week. I also rode the L all over in Chicago. It was a lot of fun!

[@BNSFGuy4723]

I miss the Grand Trunk Western. Those blue Geeps with the white GT lettering will always be etched in my memory

[@Toddgillilandfan]

CN still has gt locos In the paint

[@dumptruckdave423]

I agree completely

[@GrandTrunkWestern85]

Me too! The Blues are my favorite and every childhood RR memorie recalls them

[@harris9784]

Years ago, I ran two old Geep 9 locos on the Adrian and Blissfield R.R., that were ex GTW.

[@jackierandall2230]

Thankyou greatly for this fabulous video

[@harris9784]

I worked for the Adrian & Blissfield RailRoad, (ADBF) years ago. Much of that trackage traversed the original Erie and Kalamazoo R.R. right of way, twixt Adrian & Riga, MI. Of course, the E&K, along with the original Michigan Southern Railway, was the famed "Old Road" !! The entire route ran between Toledo, Ohio and Elkhart, Indiana..

[@harris9784]

Interesting little tid- bit: Adrian, Mi. actually has, in existence, a LSMS roundhouse. It's privately owned, and the roof is partially collapsed. The brick structure, which also supports the building, is in decent shape. Old back shops are still there, but very unsteady. Old turn table is filled in. It's an 8 stall, but at one time may have been larger. Not sure of build date, but somewhere probably from 1890's- 1910.. Very old. Very historical. Sorta under the radar tho.

[@brianwilson6403]

I don't really remember it, but the first time I rode the train, we ended up at the Michigan Central station in Detroit.

[@jst7714]

How could you forget the GM vertical car racks for the Chevy Vega? I guess one would rather forget about the Vega actually.

[@bluebellsfan8704]

This was awesome! Great job!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Very informative video! Learned some new stuff today.

[@charleselo1168]

What an fantastic little episode!!! Would love to see a mini series on other noteworthy states around the Midwest!

[@MLWQC]

That was very interesting. Thanks for posting this.

[@roylafountain5478]

Well done! Very enjoyable.

[@WalterHardwellWhite]

Hey AmtrakGuy365! I liked the video, I and I want to see more videos about railroads relating to states. I think Maryland would be a good topic if you are going to do another one of these videos, with the Baltimore and Ohio, C&O and other railroads all being around Maryland. Hope you do more of these! Great content.

[@aidanschulte9969]

Great video! I do like the clip from Lawton Michigan. I am from Lawton! I do know lots of history on the Michigan Central due to the old MC station in Lawton

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Highly entertaining and educational!

[@Pensyfan19]

Very good video! I didnt know Michigan had 0-10-0 tank engines that big.

[@calebc.2290]

as a michigander my self to. I found this very interesting, thank you for the information and keep up the great work.

[@micoasters]

As a Michigander it’s nice to have so much railroad history running in Michigan, we have the last 2 pere Marquette Berkshire’s, a bunch of deferent railroads running through here. The Henry ford/ green field village. The southern Michigan railroad which has the worlds only gmd gmdh 3 in exestance. The steam railroading institute with the pm1225 and restoring Chicago and northwestern 175

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Nice Work!

[@Brianrockrailfan]

great video

[@romie1967]

Two of my favorite subjects: Michigan and trains! I volunteer for the Steam Railroading Institute and had the honor of turning a wrench on the wonderful Berkshire type Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive. Thanks for posting this video!!!

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Only steam locomotives for me

[@mrdovie47]

I lived across the street from New York Central RR Yard for many years. Shunting the cars sounded like a mortar attack. One of my uncles woke up screaming, "Hit the Dirt!" after hearing them at night.

[@paulsblocks8441]

Im from metro Detroit and I live hearing about Michigan railroading. I live about a quarter mile from an old line that is now a walking trail

[@danielgibson1656]

I love learning more about my state

[@TheOneDogRailfanner]

Great video

[@rushylvanianorthern]

I enjoy the occasional Pokemon background music throughout this video sun and moons tauros ride page theme

[@SantaFe19484]

Nice history lesson!

[@dumptruckdave423]

Real Good Info !!! I’m glad I’m from New Buffalo Mi even more now !!!👍

[@fastsetinthewest]

Durand was a famous railroad center. Durand was home to the first Marine Corps woman General, Margaret Brewer. Eaglegards...

[@brianwilson6403]

A low point in Michigan rail history was the 1907 Salem train wreck that killed 33 people from Ionia. They were workers and family members who worked for the Pere Marquette RR, on an outing to Detroit. Among the dead were my Great x2 Grandfather Charles Hass, and Uncles Paul and Herman.

[@iftheseoldbeastscouldtalk7796]

The Torch Lake mining co. engine at Greenfield Village is, as I have come to hear, the oldest continually operating steam locomotive im America. Just figured i would add a little fact.

[@paulleow8017]

Another Rail-related contribution from Michigan were the first pocket ore-docks being built in Marquette

[@grosseileracingteam]

Grew up "downriver" near DT&I tracks. A video about that road would be cool. Have a book about when Henry Ford owned it.

[@SkiVail]

Great History!

[@nancyhaun]

Loved it-especially the 1225 section!

[@jakeabel9433]

East Jordan & Southern 6 would have also been worth a mention, as it was the last steam locomotive in revenue service in Michigan (retired 1962).

[@jhnhall94]

Great video! Love Michigan and love rail systems. I wish we could see a resurgence of rail usage in the US in my lifetime, even though it's fairly unlikely.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

There is renewed discussion of starting passenger service from Detroit to Traverse City. Thank Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who has a home in TC. It would run through A2 > Howell > Durand > Owosso > Alma > Mt. Pleasant > Cadillac > TC with a spur up to Petoskey. I can't even imagine taking the train to a ski weekend up north. I'm so sick of driving up 75.

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

I Love Your Channel

[@AlcoLoco251]

On the Grand Trunk's last steam train, there was another that same day. GTW 5038 ran from Pontiac to Caseville on March 26th with the regular local and returned to Pontiac on the 27th, making it the last revenue freight train pulled by steam on the GTW. Two days later, on March 29th, GTW 4070 pulled a string of bad order cars as Extra 4070 from Pontiac to Durand, after which its fire was dropped and it was put in the dead line, making it the last official GTW steam engine to operate for the railroad.

[@atsfevan0242]

This sure was a great video with lots of great history, hoping to visit Michigan myself someday to see the many steam trains especially my favorite one Pere Marquette 1225.

[@Wag2112]

Dont forget 765 down in Ft Wayne !

[@atsfevan0242]

@@Wag2112 but that's in indiana, this video is on Michigan

[@Wag2112]

@@atsfevan0242 its relatively close , depending on where you're at

[@trainroomgary]

Like • well done Michigan RR history 🚂

[@Ethaniel1999]

Mentioned Wisconsin, I take that as a win.

[@northwoodsrailproductions4538]

May have mispronounced Kewaunee (Key-wah-nee) but I still call it a win. Also rather happy with the carferry mention, not enough talk about the service to WI railroads from MI imo

[@Toddgillilandfan]

Lol

[@The_L-3C_Pro]

WoW amazing

[@thesherman2950]

This has been an Amtrakguy365 production.

[@TrinityShoji]

So, if you want someone to help research these things, let me know. I too, am from Michigan. I worked at a hobby shop for four years and I know how to find information on railroads. My parents thought that a promotional photo from Greenfield Village had me pushing the turntable there..

[@paco3346]

There are dozens of us, dozens!

[@chrisdelux125]

Michigan has some trains as today, including, pere Marquette, nickle playe railroad, and even also has a company known amtrak or national railroad passenger corporation has a route name amtrak midwest

[@fordmotorman]

Awesome vid didn’t watch it yet

[@Scorch04]

I live in new Baltimore, Michigan. This is cool

[@sernajrlouis]

Love the video. Yes i contest! Lol my Texas Mexican railway dieselized first. Lol. But then again...maybe thats bad😔 that means they got rid of steam engines quicker. I've never seen a live steam yet. It's on my bucket list. Hopefully soon when big boy steams by in houston this year.

[@Wag2112]

Go Big or go home ! :)

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Nice!

[@SilverThunder710]

I love this

[@pauld6967]

Keeping the four tracks in Detroit is wise because they are right that Amtrack might bring service to it. Alternatively, I might just buckle down and work my way into becoming a multi-billionaire so I bring back effective, and relatively efficient, public rail service like we (U.S.A.) had in the 1930's, 40's and, I dare say, even the 1950's (but in my opinion, it was definitely trailing off at that point).

[@railfansbizarreadventure7458]

Hello my Michigan man

[@blockvfive1196]

machingun

[@railfansbizarreadventure7458]

@@blockvfive1196 :0

[@jontaylor6068]

You should do a video about the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac (RF&P) history.

[@trashonatrain6362]

4:40 Ah yes, Baby. The shay that Shay built in his garage and decided to make a logging railroad around. This was the most normal looking of the three locomotives on that logging railroad

[@Wag2112]

Class A ! I love the Class Ds too bad there are none left

[@trashonatrain6362]

​@@Wag2112 Harbor Springs 1 isn't a class A. For starters, I believe it has three cylinders, and for another thing, it's not a Lima product. Ephraim Shay built it at his workshop in Harbor Springs.

[@Wag2112]

@@trashonatrain6362 I know there were a few built in Cadillac too, I believe the entire early family of "demonstrators" were all called Class A . Class A Hendersons as well. Seems like the Bs were all Lima . Not sure of the transition era A to B . . . I have never looked at that part of the Shay Loco database either, may be an interesting read. I'm not sure how many got built before Lima got involved, but more than a few . . . I grew up and am still in Cadillac, so its a deep hobby here.

[@GALAXYEXPRESS-cc4lb]

This was a amazing video and it's also fun because I live in Toledo Ohio XD

[@twokharacters]

Really surprised nothing about Sault Sainte Marie was mentioned.

[@westmichiganbuff]

Ephraim shay is one of my great great great great grandfathers!

[@mistermadmachine6311]

😮Michigan was the first state to introduce rail tours

[@masonandjackrailfaningprod1373]

I live right next to the old water level route and a old part of the Erie shore those track aren’t used very often

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

1225 is irreplaceable as the Polar Express. Heck, It’s hard for me and maybe a lot of other people to look at her without thinking about the Polar Express. It’s like Brandon Routh as Superman.

[@normsweet1710]

I’ve always wondered what track ran E & W a mile S of Beecher rd, in Clayton Mi. It was taken up in 1975 but I don’t know what year it ceased to be used. Dad said he took it to Great Lakes for bootcamp in late 1943

[@harris9784]

That would have been the old Lake Shore & Michigan Southern (New York Central after 1914.) That would've been the famed "Old Road" that ran twixt Toledo and Elkhart. Starting in the early 60's and ending in the mid 70's, NYC, by then Penn Central, tore up the tracks between Hillsdale and Adrian. It's probable the tracks were torn out in the Clayton to just west of Adrian area around 1975, but weren't used near Clayton since around 1973-4?. Clayton Lumber was the only customer left . BTW, many troop trains ran thru Adrian to points East and West for decades, til about 1956, when passenger service ceased on the "Old Road."

[@normsweet1710]

@@harris9784 thank you Mr Harris, growing up on our farm on Beecher rd, I worked for a small factory several yrs and several of the guys would go load up their pickups nights after work and load the plates that the spikes held to the ties, Free money , just load em up and celebrate their new found wealth. Must of been close to 1975-77 I think.

[@4everdc302]

Well done sir👍🚂🚃🚃🇨🇦

[@MegeGabe_Personal]

I live in Muskegon Michigan so this video is fun lol

[@kristoffermangila]

Isn't Muskegon the place where USS Silversides hang out nowadays?

[@MegeGabe_Personal]

@@kristoffermangila Yes it is!

[@benlahrman4149]

Do a Pennsylvania Railroad documentary style video.

[@Scrimjer]

Represent!

[@jacobmaurin7549]

Can you do Idaho next?

[@thealmightydoge5653]

My 14th birthday is in a few weeks! 🥳

[@JackCarsonsRailroadVideos]

Im simple i see notification, I click Video

[@cmphighpower]

How about doing a video on the Erie and Kalamazoo?

[@Toddgillilandfan]

Im going to Adrian this August

[@donavonrobbins1908]

No mention of the PM streamliners? They had many innovations of their own.

[@jwrailve3615]

My layout I’m building is dual leveled but only way trains can switch levels is on simulated rail barge and ferry moves I will have four ports two for passenger one for mixed and other one that’s fixed for cars to be from off the layout to be switched with cars that have been on the layout too long

[@jwrailve3615]

I have a video on my channel check it out!

[@metrolinxfan3005]

FINALY AN UPLOAD

[@McCloud19250]

Hey Jared I Have A Question, Do You Have Discord?

[@TM-bk3ok]

The acquisition of sauce must continue @7:08