Riding the TSB on a Lake Central Railtours Excursion

Riding the TSB on a Lake Central
Rail Tours Excursion - October 19, 2003

The main excursion on this day started in Howell and went to Cadillac. While the day-trippers got off the train to have lunch and do some shopping, I got on for a ride to Walton Junction. I took a few photos beforehand also.

	ex-Pennsy, now TSB engine house in Cadillac
	Another view of the engine house with 4 TSB units parked alongside it.
	Four TSB units, from front to back - 2681, 391, 393 and 392.
	2681, an EMD GP 35 with Alco FA trucks that was built in 1964. It is ex-Southern.
	391 "City of Owosso", an EMD GP 35 with Alco FA trucks that was built in 1964. It is ex-Ann Arbor.
	393 "City of Cadillac", an EMD GP 35 with Alco FA trucks that was built in 1964. It is ex-Ann Arbor.
	392 "City of Mt. Pleasant", an EMD GP 35 with Alco FA trucks that was built in 1964. It is ex-Ann Arbor.
	A long time resident of Cadillac, this box car came from the Detroit, Toledo and Shore Line railroad.
	TSB box car on the rails next to the engine house.
	Ready for that West Michigan snow!
	Looking north towards North Yard from the engine house.
	Here we have Selma Yard in Cadillac, which does two things - it holds all the sand cars for the quarry at Yuma and there is a coke transload.
	Another shot of Selma Yard, which is ex-Ann Arbor.
	ex-MKT, now TSB short hopper for the sand traffic.
	Another type of TSB hopper for the sand traffic.
	The old Ann Arbor freight house in Cadillac, used by the TSB for office space. A spur still runs alongside this building.
	The ex-Ann Arbor passenger depot (or was it a Union Depot?) in Cadillac, now an Am Vet facility.
	The excursion train arrives at the city park, pulled by TSB 394 "City of Clare", another GP 35. It disgorges its passengers and then we board. The vestibules are empty. Here we are leaving the park.
	We arrive shortly in Selma Yard, the switch is thrown for the Kalkaska line and we reverse direction. TSB engine 395 is now at the front.
	At the same location, looking back at 394, now on the rear.
	Around the curve we meet up with TSB 392, which couples onto the train and starts pulling us north. On this day there were 6 TSB engines in Cadillac.
	Just after the engine house we start to pass Cadillac North Yard.
	Residents of North Yard include a customized 40 foot gondola used in MOW service and a 40 foot box car.
	The line of ex-AA short hoppers that seem to be permanent residents in the yard.
	They still have AA markings on them.
	Hiding at the north end of the yard are a couple of revenue cars. This is a sand unloading operation.
	At the far north end, all the yard tracks start coming together.
	This potash/salt loading facility is just north of the yard.
	We break free of the city and head north into the country.
	Autumn colors on this day are gorgeous. The dry leaves swirl around the train as we briskly move North.
	More autumn colors south of Manton.
	This really could be God's Country..........
	The spur at Manton, in typical TSB pristine condition.
	The town center of Manton.
	North of Manton.
	Track condition is excellent. We maintain a steady speed of 30 mph.
	Approaching the Manistee River bridge.
	Here's the bridge, which is just south of Walton Junction..
	Looking east up the Manistee River.
	Walton Junction, where the line to Traverse City branches off. We stop here for about 60 seconds and then start back south.
	Heading back through the Manistee National Forest.
	The temperature is perfect for hanging out in the vestibule. Not too hot, not too cold.
	TSB 394 "City of Clare" is now pulling the train south.
	Looking back at the same spot as the photo above, TSB 392 and 395 on the rear.
	The passengers cars are all ex-VIA. They have probably seen service through some brutal Canadian winters but remain in excellent condition.
	We rejoin the ex-AA line at Cadillac. The track leading off to the right is part of the wye at Cadillac.
	Winding through the city of Cadillac, there is evidence of many spurs but alas, none are in use any more on the ex-AA line.
	The excursion train is back at the city park in Cadillac.
	The excursion passengers from the south-east load back onto the train.
	TSBY 392 and 395 wait patiently while the crowds return onto the train. Congrats to the TSB and Lake Central Rail Tours for giving us a great excursion experience.

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Last Edited 09 January, 2022