Had an email today which asked whether our 1858-built Fort Gratiot depot, built by the Chicago, Detroit, & Canada Grand Trunk Junction R.R., is the oldest survivng depot in the State of Michigan, and how close we were to being the oldest west of the Blue Ridge. We are alas, neither, but in trying to find the answer, came up with following, which I thought would be of interest to RYPN readers. So far, I have found these that beat us for "west of the Appalachians:"

Mineral Point, Wisconsin depot (1856: holds the title for oldest in Wisconsin.)

Augusta, Michigan (1852: Michigan's second oldest, built by the Michigan Central)

Coldwater, Michigan depot (1850: Michigan's oldest, built by the Michigan Southern.)

Hedges Station, Illinois (1849: holds the title of oldest in Illinois: built by Galena and Chicago Union Railroad)

Also, I'm proud to say that three other C.D.& C. G.T. Jct R.R. depots, all built in 1859, are well taken care of: Smiths Creek, now at "The Henry Ford"; Mt. Clemens, now under the protection of the Michigan Transit Museum; and New Haven, recently restored into a museum in its original location. Love to hear what others beat us out!

Oh yeah, and as near as I can tell, we are number three in Michigan, the above three tied for fourth.

TJ Gaffney

Coldwater, Michigan, oldest Depot in Michigan

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

> Had an email today which asked whether our
> 1858-built Fort Gratiot depot, built by the
> Chicago, Detroit, & Canada Grand Trunk
> Junction R.R., is the oldest survivng depot
> in the State of Michigan, and how close we
> were to being the oldest west of the Blue
> Ridge.

There are at least three extant Galena and Chicago Union Depots from the 1850s, but all have been relocated. The most famous of these is the former Marengo depot from 1851, which still sees train service as the East Union depot of the Illinois Railway Museum. Actually only half the structure is from that early date, but the original portion boasts post and lintel construction right out of the MiddleAges. West Chicago and another community (which I canÂ’t recall) have depots of slightly older vintage that were relocated, probably due to track elevation work. I have heard that a relocated ex-C&NW depot in Westchester is from the late 1850s, but I canÂ’t confirm. Also the IC depot at Galena Illinois is c. 1855.

I was once told over a few beers that a 1830Â’s Detroit area tavern was once used as a depot, but that it has reverted to its original use. Perhaps in Lavonia or Plymouth ???

The Cold Water depot sure is handsome. Let's hope the other survivors have done as well.


fred_asah@bankone.com

> Had an email today which asked whether our
> 1858-built Fort Gratiot depot, built by the
> Chicago, Detroit, & Canada Grand Trunk
> Junction R.R., is the oldest survivng depot
> in the State of Michigan, and how close we
> were to being the oldest west of the Blue
> Ridge. We are alas, neither, but in trying
> to find the answer, came up with following,
> which I thought would be of interest to RYPN
> readers. So far, I have found these that
> beat us for "west of the
> Appalachians:"

> Mineral Point, Wisconsin depot (1856: holds
> the title for oldest in Wisconsin.)

> Augusta, Michigan (1852: Michigan's second
> oldest, built by the Michigan Central)

> Coldwater, Michigan depot (1850: Michigan's
> oldest, built by the Michigan Southern.)

> Hedges Station, Illinois (1849: holds the
> title of oldest in Illinois: built by Galena
> and Chicago Union Railroad)

TJ:

Any idea where Hedges Station is located?

> Also, I'm proud to say that three other
> C.D.& C. G.T. Jct R.R. depots, all built
> in 1859, are well taken care of: Smiths
> Creek, now at "The Henry Ford";
> Mt. Clemens, now under the protection of the
> Michigan Transit Museum; and New Haven,
> recently restored into a museum in its
> original location. Love to hear what others
> beat us out!

> Oh yeah, and as near as I can tell, we are
> number three in Michigan, the above three
> tied for fourth.

> TJ Gaffney


midlandblb@cs.com

> TJ:

> Any idea where Hedges Station is located?

I will second that question. In 1849 the G&CU could not have been more than a few miles west of what is now downtown Chicago. By 1851 they were about 60 miles along and that is when the IRM Marengo depot was built. As Fred Ash mentions, about half is the original footprint, and the 'new' half represents a modern additon, from the early 1870's I believe.

Maybe a part two to the old depot question - What is the oldest depot still serving as a depot, even if in a museum setting?

Bob Kutella

68trolley@comcast.net

> I will second that question. In 1849 the
> G&CU could not have been more than a few
> miles west of what is now downtown Chicago.
> By 1851 they were about 60 miles along and
> that is when the IRM Marengo depot was
> built. As Fred Ash mentions, about half is
> the original footprint, and the 'new' half
> represents a modern additon, from the early
> 1870's I believe.

> Maybe a part two to the old depot question -
> What is the oldest depot still serving as a
> depot, even if in a museum setting?

> Bob Kutella

Bob and Les-

See link below.

TJ


Hedges Station, Illinois

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

> Maybe a part two to the old depot question -
> What is the oldest depot still serving as a
> depot, even if in a museum setting?

Hmmmmmm.......... nominees:

Martinsburg, West Virginia, used by MARC and Amtrak? 1849, Berkley Hotel, acquired by the B&O?

Aurora, Illinois roundhouse, 1856, Chicago Metra depot?



LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

> Hmmmmmm.......... nominees:

> Martinsburg, West Virginia, used by MARC and
> Amtrak? 1849, Berkley Hotel, acquired by the
> B&O?

I'd have to say not any more--the station functions are all in the brand-new Caperton Station intermodal complex built onto the north side of the hotel/station building. The old building is now being prepared for commercial office tenants.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Now that the land and track deal has closed, it is possible that if all goes very well there may be some limited service into the 1855 Central of Georgia passenger terminal in Savannah in a few years. Certainly museum related shuttles, but it is hoped that Georgia will fund intrastate passenger rail and Savannah is proposed as a destination.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> Hmmmmmm.......... nominees:

The Santa Clara passenger depot, built by the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company in late 1863, was the oldest continuously operating railroad depot in the State of California until the ticket office was closed in May 1997.It was placed in the National Register of Historical Places in 1985.

Caltrain continues daily service to the site.


Santa Clara Depot

The Feb. issue of "Special Interest Autos" contains an article about GM auto stylist Harley Earl (whose ghost is featured in some current Buick ads), which states that Mr. Earl "supervised the streamlining of the E- and F-series diesel locomotives..." I have read a lot over the years about these locos and about "Mistearl", but don't ever recall their paths crossing. Is my memory failing? Anyone know if Mr. E. really was so involved? (BTW, in the 1950's, another GM auto guy, Chuck Jordan, did style the Aerotrain, which is why the loco looks a lot like a late '50's Cadillac.) Thanks for any info.

justighe@bright.net

Check out the link below. There is a section that details Mr. Earl's relationship with EMD.

> The Feb. issue of "Special Interest
> Autos" contains an article about GM
> auto stylist Harley Earl (whose ghost is
> featured in some current Buick ads), which
> states that Mr. Earl "supervised the
> streamlining of the E- and F-series diesel
> locomotives..." I have read a lot over
> the years about these locos and about
> "Mistearl", but don't ever recall
> their paths crossing. Is my memory failing?
> Anyone know if Mr. E. really was so
> involved? (BTW, in the 1950's, another GM
> auto guy, Chuck Jordan, did style the
> Aerotrain, which is why the loco looks a lot
> like a late '50's Cadillac.) Thanks for any
> info.


http://carofthecentury.com/educational_awareness.htm
newhaven0401-NOSPAM-@verizon.net

I have purchased a blueprint of a hancock 3 chime whistle. I have the overall drawing but not the drawings of the lever or the bowl or some other components. Would it possible to make a replica without the drawings of the component pieces?

Thanks for advice


superheater@rrmail.com