44th St and Kalamazoo Ave Railroad Crossing

[pudgy]

Hey all,

I'm looking for photos of the crossing signals that used to guard the crossing at 44th St and Kalamazoo Ave in Kentwood. I know the crossing cantilever is located in Coopersville, but I am looking for any photos of when the system was either still in use, or when it was at least still up before removal. Appreciate anything you guys have.

[Raildudes dad]

It was a truss that was over 44th, set on "truss" columns. The cantilever signals were for Kalamazoo. Are you sure Robby doesn't have photos of the day we took it down? I know I've seen them. Wet snow, crappy day

[pudgy]

I haven't had a chance to ask Robby yet. I'll check with him. Figured someone out there had a pic of the crossing in operation from when it was Conrail or other. Thanks for the correction, I am looking specifically for photos of the truss over 44th St, but any angle would be great.

[wyrickj]

It was a truss that was over 44th, set on "truss" columns. The cantilever signals were for Kalamazoo. Are you sure Robby doesn't have photos of the day we took it down? I know I've seen them. Wet snow, crappy day

Sorry to bring a old thread up but I was curious what year you took them down? I have a faint memory of them and was trying to figure out the year they were taken down.


Also anyone find pics they would be willing to share?

Thanks.

[Proto48Patrick]

I also would like to see photos. I drive on Kalamazoo a lot and always wondered how the signals were configured.

[SD80MAC]

I remember seeing that crossing as a kid and really wanting to see a train there because it was such a wide intersection, it was practically street running!

[J T]

I remember seeing that crossing as a kid and really wanting to see a train there because it was such a wide intersection, it was practically street running!

What year was it taken out?

[canpac08]

on a side note dose anyone know the symbol Conrail used for the local they used to send out to Steel Case and the Kent industrial park.

[amtrak1007]

I remember seeing that crossing as a kid and really wanting to see a train there because it was such a wide intersection, it was practically street running!

What year was it taken out?

mid 90's I think... I wanna say when the widened 44th and KZO. Does that sound right RDD?

[canpac08]

here are two photos I found awhile back showing the crossing at K-ZOO and 44TH street

[Saturnalia]

On a somewhat related note, the bridge for this line over Division St in GR, well, the underpass flooded today:

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/2531 ... vision-Ave

[pudgy]

Great photos canpac! Looks like they were both before the truss structure was added to that crossing. It's amazing how much different that area looks today. I see rods next to the rails in the steam photo. Was there a siding in that area at some point, or was it for a signal?

And this was Michigan Central territory, correct?

[SD80MAC]

Correct, MC/NYC Grand Rapids to Jackson.

[CSX_CO]

I see rods next to the rails in the steam photo. Was there a siding in that area at some point, or was it for a signal?

I have no first hand knowledge, but it may have been just a 'rod' connected derail. I cannot remember for the life of me where, but I've thrown a switch with a rod connected derail attached. Maybe on the Gary and Western on the IHB in Chicago? Throw the switch, and it threw the derail for you too. No need to walk back and throw the derail once you've lined the switch.

Practice Safe CSX

[Mark F]

I work at the Post Office just east of there. It seems like the overhead signals finally came down about 8-10 years ago when they turned 44th St into a boulevard between Kalamazoo Ave and Eastern Ave and rebuilt the intersection. Probably lasted close to 20 years after the last train rolled through.

[RJB]

The MC Michigan Division ETT of April 1941 shows a siding at Bowen with 18 car capacity. The April 1947 ETT does not list a siding there, but shows a company telephone in a booth at that location. There is a recent book about Kentwood history showing a couple of photos looking west on 44th St.,one from 1973, and one from c.1979 showing the truss signals. There was a link to a page about the book on the Godwin's Past website, but the link has been taken down. The page showed all of the pictures in the book. The price of the book is $25 and is available at most of the bookstores.

[J T]

here are two photos I found awhile back showing the crossing at K-ZOO and 44TH street

The billboard is still there and the Marathon is now a Speedway.

This would make an interesting then-and-now comparison, but unfortunately the ROW is overgrown so much that a shot like this is not possible.

[Raildudes dad]

44th from Eastern to east of Kazoo was built in 1996. The signals would have been removed in late 1995. I do remember the day well. Heavy wet snow. I wore a rain jacket over my coat and got soaked from mid thighs down Robby Robbins has photos of the removal in his C&M scrapbook.

[tsinoms]

44th from Eastern to east of Kazoo was built in 1996. The signals would have been removed in late 1995. I do remember the day well. Heavy wet snow. I wore a rain jacket over my coat and got soaked from mid thighs down Robby Robbins has photos of the removal in his C&M scrapbook.

I only got to see the track in place and I can remember when they cut it back just short of the intersection there. Twas a shame I never got to see a steelcase local move around there...
Btw I grew up in the apartments over there. Got many stories from that place.

[kenN]

"The billboard is still there and the Marathon is now a Speedway."

The Marathon station was on the west side of Kalamazoo Ave, and after it closed, it became a dry cleaners, I think. The Speedway is on the north-east corner of the intersection. The Shell station on the southwest corner is now gone as well.