Hello all-

Like Jim Wrinn, I have been on vacation, and have enjoyed taking the carferry Badger over to the great state of Wisconsin for a week-long trip to there and into the U.P. for the first time in a long while for yours truly. Thought I'd drop a fewlines on what I have seen; if not interested, feel free to move to the next post now!

On the way to Ludington stoppedin Vestaburg, Michigan, and got a great shot of the depot there. Its in rough shape, but would make a great summer place/life-long-resto-project for somebody. While in Ludington, was finally able to confirm that the Ludington Depot and coal tower were NOT torn down this spring (as I had heard), and that the five wooden ex-40 foot cars of PM & C&O heritage are still there, although the tracks now end just west of the depot, which no longer goes anywhere near the old docks. Nice light tower for the yard still stands as well, a carbon-copy of one we have in Port Huron. These things do not look long for this world however: I dare say that the large amount of construction equipment on site is not a good sign.

Have seen some sad things as well, namely that it seems none of the old carferry ports in Wisconsin (just like Michigan) have any tracks to the aprons anymore, at least in Kewuanee and Manitowac,anwyay. All are trackless, and it looks like the old GB&W track is gone period east of Kewaunee (didn't find end of track though). Nothing seems to remains of the old Ahnapee & Western in Door County, although elements of the old iron swing bridge at Sturgeon Bay are preserved at the Door County Marine Museum there. I was told that this wasgone in the 1960's--is that really the case?

Also,Iam wondering if someone could tell me anything about a GORGEOUS depot I saw yesterday on the way to Iron Mountain. The depot still had a sign stating "Escanaba & Lake Superior Railway" and is in Marinette, Wisconsin. While it doesn't quite look like someone closed the door and left, it does look pretty pristine, albeit VERY negelected. A for sale sign was lying on the ground, and had a 906 area code, but there was no sign of life. It's in the brown and mustard yellow scheme, and most of the waiting area/office still seems to be there,including a ongue-and-groove counter, cabinets, and a coupleof benches, most painted two-tone green. No track there, and looks like there hasn't been in a while. Any ideas? Enjoying the break,and hoping to catch Jim somewhere before I get back to Port Huron on the 10th.

Thanks,

TJG

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Well, time for me to fly, literally, in the morning, so perhaps T.J. and I will chance upon each other somewhere. Wonder if Hertz is gonna honor that red Mustang request of mine? I know of at least two rypn.org folks who will be riding PM 1225 Aug. 16. See some more of y'all there? jim

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com