Help Save Michigan's BO Tower!

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2019 6:38 pm

Help save BO Tower!
Built in 1914 BO (short for Botsford) Tower is the oldest standing Railroad Interlocking in Michigan. The tower was closed in 2016.

An individual with a viable plan for Kalamazoo, Michigan's BO Tower has come forward. However, he needs to raise funds for both asbestos abatement and the movement of the tower to Schoolcraft, Michigan (about 15 miles south). It is hoped it will become part of a railpark similar to the one in Fostoria, Ohio. This is still an active project. The tower is slated to be demolished in December.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bo-railroad- ... ng-station

The tower in 2015, one year before it closed. It is all boarded up now.

Atkinson_Railroad · **Posted:** Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:09 am

Let's add that the passion (and ideas) to save this structure appear to have originated from a Junior in high school.

http://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36568

John

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Sep 11, 2019 1:42 pm

A little Mennan "Speed Stik" will help with that BO.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

jrevans · **Posted:** Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:36 am

I have nothing to add about saving the tower, but the post-mounted bell is interesting, and I'm curious what the function of it was.

Could it be an alert for trains approaching on the track that crosses the driveway right there (which the concrete slabs are blocking) ?

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:41 am

jrevans wrote:

I have nothing to add about saving the tower, but the post-mounted bell is interesting, and I'm curious what the function of it was.

Could it be an alert for trains approaching on the track that crosses the driveway right there (which the concrete slabs are blocking) ?

Yes, there used to be a private driveway right there by the tower. It has been closed off for a few years now. I believe the bell has since been removed.