This steam locomotive sits in R.A. Greene Park in Jackson. The Grand Trunk Western 5030 was built in 1912 and proudly pulled train cars along Michigan’s railroad tracks for years.  On June 5th, 1923 A train was commissioned to take the Knights Templars of Michigan to a Masonic convention in Flint. The 5030 picked up passengers in Grand Rapids, Ionia, and stops along the way. As it was traveling near Durand the gravel roadbed gave way and the train derailed killing the engineer and fireman and three other passengers. 32 other Knight Templars riding the train were injured.

The locomotive was repaired and continued riding the rails of Michigan. It traveled to Jackson on a regular basis and after it was retired from service in the 1950s it was donated to the city. It is surrounded by chain-link fence, probably to keep people from climbing on it, but it feels more like a caged animal to protect people from getting hurt.

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This beautifully restored depot is the third railroad depot to serve the community of Williamston. It proudly stands along Grand River Avenue away from the railroad tracks. That is because it was moved to its current location in the 1970s. It was built in 1892 and after passenger traffic ended the depot closed in 1962. Saved from the wrecking ball it has been converted into a museum and an office for the chamber of commerce.

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This old train station stands in St. Louis in the center of the mitten on the pine river. The town’s popularity grew in 1868 when two men drilling for salt, found mineral water instead. People came from all around to bathe in the water. The old train station is now used by the St Louis Historical Society.

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This old stone depot is in Standish along US-23. It has been a while since trains have stopped at the old depot. It is now a visitor center for tourists and travelers. Next to the depot are old historic railroad cars that visitors can walk around and look at. If you are heading up the sunshine coast along Lake Huron this is a nice place to stop and take a break.

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The southwestern Michigan town of Three Oaks was named after, you guessed it, three oak trees that stood nearby when the area was settled in 1850. This adorable little brick depot was constructed in 1898. It was used by the railroad until 1959. The little depot sat empty for years before it was restored in 1980. It is now used for retail and community space.

I did not get to spend a lot of time in Three Oaks when I passed through last year. It seemed like a charming little town. I guess I will have to take a trip back down there sometime soon.

P.S. Yesterday I had some wire crossed or something on my website and the link did not work correctly on yesterday’s notification post. I got it fixed so if you missed my post about the Sky Pilot of the Great Lakes you can see it HERE

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In the small northeastern village of Lincoln is an old train depot and caboose. I am sure the caboose is not going anywhere soon because other than the tracks underneath it, the rest of the rails are gone. The old depot welcomed travelers to the area many decades ago when it was called the West Harrisville Depot. A historical marker mounted to it gives a little history and reads:

In 1893 lumberman and Civil War hero Russell Alger led the consolidation of several lumber railroads as the Detroit, Bay City, and Alpena Railroad, bringing passenger and freight service to this region for the first time. Built in 1886, the depot was taken over by the Detroit and Mackinac Railroad in 1895 and renovated in 1913. Service ceased in 1927 and from 1930 to 1996 the building served as a residence. Citizens saved the depot from demolition in 1997

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This old brick train depot in Coldwater was constructed in 1883. The last regular passenger train departed from this station in 1956. This is one of the few train stations that does have a steam train that takes passengers for rides. The Little River Railroad operates a historic steam locomotive from this station giving riders the opportunity to take a short trip on a real steam train.

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Michigan has a few train depots with a cone-shaped roof but the most well known one is called “The Witch’s Hat Depot.” It proudly stands in South Lyon. It is no longer used for passengers to ride the rais but is a historical museum. The historical marker next to it reads:

In the late nineteenth century, the community of South Lyon was served by three rail lines operating from the 1871 Pere Marquette depot, which burned in 1908. By the time this one-story Queen Anne depot was erected by the Grand Trunk Western railroad system in 1909, only two lines came to South Lyon. Featuring a rounded front and a conical roof, the wood-frame structure served as a passenger station until 1955. The City of South Lyon acquired the depot in 1975 and in 1976 moved it to this site. In 1981 the station began its service as the Witch’s Hat Depot Museum and community center.

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