1952 Looking E. Built in early 1920s?, probably partly because the MCRR Shops were moved to Niles, MI in 1918. They moved because the shops and yards were landlocked, but mostly because RRs advanced so much that the MC facilities were then too close to Chicago. They didnt need much maintenance and there was enough traffic going both ways that the locos did not need turning as frequently, they just kept going in same direction or turned as needed on a wye. The coaling tower did not have water, which was scooped up on the run, often near a station so they could slow down a little. MC tower was electrified/mechanized in 1931. I know a person who built one in their front yard-considerably smaller.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:29:04 +0000