Under the old grandstands at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit there used to be a model railroad display where visitors could pay a quarter to operate one of the trains in the display and a large steam locomotive on display outside nearby. They were moved out in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Where are they now?

Also, Alex Pollack, who helped create the now removed trolley line in downtown Detroit, bought and shipped over a tram that might have been used in the movie "Doctor Zhivago." He later sold it to someone in New Orleans. The last I heard, it was then sold to someone or some place in California. Does anyone have any info on this car? I'd like to have a picture if possible.

Thanks!!

The steam locomotive PM 2-8-4 #1223 was moved to Grand Haven, MI where it has been cosmetically restored.

I assume that the model train layout is now the one in Holly, MI. Can anyone confirm?

Chris.

The O-gauge 3-rail model railroad club that was once under the State Fair grandstands relocated to an abandoned movie theater on the main street of Holly, Michigan. Their new railroad fills the sloping auditorium space quite dramatically. It is frequently open to the public. I, too, remember the coin-operated trains at the State Fair.

PM 1223 was relocated to Grand Haven at the instigation of some PM fans in that territory, who recruited Michigan politicians to reject an offer by Illinois Railway Museum to move the locomotive there. The engine is now under the care of volunteers at the Tri-Cities Historical Society. The cosmetic restoration is quite extensive, including an accurate replica steel cab and the upper two thirds of a replica jacket. The engine is next to a derelict GTW coal dock.

The move of the engine to Grand Haven had some drama. It was panel-tracked out of the fairgrounds by the Michigan National Guard construction battalion. They didn't quite get it turned 180 degrees around the curve of the race track, and it derailed as it was being hauled onto the GTW main line. The engine was prepped for moving by a C&O road foreman of engines and an electrician from the nearby Rougemere engine house, who was a young black Rhodesian immigrant with lots of experience on Garratts. En route through Milwaukee Junction to the C&O, the 1223 met GTW 6323, being moved that week to IRM by its owner, the late Bob Johnson. So the last two steam engines to leave Detroit did so on the same day.