Heading to Omena this weekend

[Beal99]

Gonna foam a bit on the way home Sunday, would like to check out Manistee as its been over 10 years since I've been up there, I assume nothing will be running around TC (and i'll be busy at the wineries).

As I haven't been north of Muskegon since 1999, any places to check out or old RR stuff to see?

Thanks guys!

[Beal99]

Really guys? 63 views and no one can tell me one darn thing about anything north of GR? CMON....

[~Z~]

It's probably more that I didn't know where Omena was until I just checked google maps...maybe no one really knew where you were going and didn't bother to check that it's near Traverse City.

Gotta guess Manistee will be dead on a Sunday for your return trip south, as should Ludington, unless MQT's schedule is still messed up from this past weeks' happenings.

Can see the old wig-wag from US-31 in Manistee near North Side Bar... swing bridge in Manistee too, but honestly, nothing much to view besides some old relics.. no moving traffic that I can imagine you'll see until you hit Holland.

[Beal99]

thanks buddy, i'll prob just swing by the yard in manistee and take a few shots, arent their old stations up on that peninsula north of traverse?

[Crow T Robot]

Alden has a restored station. Also when I was up there they were restoring a Caboose

http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayimage-37423.html

[BB]

It's probably more that I didn't know where Omena was until I just checked google maps...maybe no one really knew where you were going and didn't bother to check that it's near Traverse City.

Gotta guess Manistee will be dead on a Sunday for your return trip south, as should Ludington, unless MQT's schedule is still messed up from this past weeks' happenings.

Can see the old wig-wag from US-31 in Manistee near North Side Bar... swing bridge in Manistee too, but honestly, nothing much to view besides some old relics.. no moving traffic that I can imagine you'll see until you hit Holland.

You mean the semaphore signal. I see the yard job working on Sunday's and the road train leaving in the afternoon. I wasn't sure where Omena was either and surprised to see it's on M22 north of Suttons Bay. I've been to Northport a few times but can't remember Omena. Beautiful area along M22.

Here's Alden last year March and that's right along Torch Lake.

[lee45174]

Make certain to visit the station and Museum in Kaleva at the junction of the Manistee and Northeastern with PM, check on the net for hours of operation. Also, a visit to Baldwin is always interesting to see the coaling tower and station along with the junction at Walhalla. I also like to follow the AA from US 31 in Benzonia down to the former ferry terminal along Crystal Lake to Elberta, then while in Manistee stop to see the City of Milwaukee moored along US 31.

I would love to be in Omena right now but I will have to settle for Onekama in September.

[lee45174]

There is a nice station in Charlevoix on the north side of the outlet to Lake Michigan.

[Beal99]

thanks guys!

[GP30M4216]

Somewhere I have a picture of me standing on the platform of that caboose at Alden about 1989.....4 years old!! YES!

Coal towers are still standing at Ludington and Baldwin, and the old Baldwin depot is still used by MQT crews today. Manistee has the swing bridge and bridge tender's shack (an old caboose body), and MQT operates out of the old M&NW roundhouse, where some power may be parked. Not sure how far downstate you'll be going or along which route, but the Grant Depot in Grant on M-37 is a pretty good place for a lunch or dinner and is full of railroadiana inside.

[Beal99]

hey guys, what wig-wag, i just did a google street view and am not seeing it

[~Z~]

Can see the old wig-wag from US-31 in Manistee near North Side Bar

You mean the semaphore signal.

As BB said, I misspoke, meant a Semaphore. Here's the view in question, older view this is: http://tinyurl.com/5ruqw2f

[PAT.C]

LOOK ACROSS THE STREET FROM THAT SIGNAL AND YOU WILL SEE THE NORTHSIDE BAR.

I WILL BE THERE MONDAY EVENING EATING A GOOD BURGER AND DRINKING A LITE DRAFT [OR TWO].

[Beal99]

farted down to the yard today in Manistee, saw 3001 against the roundhouse, is it dead?

The two gray sd40-2's were piddling back and forth and the GP9 was drilling some cars, got a couple quick camera phone shots (it is 8 mp, lol, crappy pics on my flickr). Noticed on the approaches to the swing bridge, the north approach seems to have a C&O style signal and the approach on the south side is a old NYC Style G? How did that happen?

[UncleRaul]

I was in Manistee from the 15th to the 17th, camping at Orchard Beach State Park (it was fun, but next time I'm looking for a quieter spot ). I heard a few trains while in town, and on Sunday I saw a four-axle in Trunk paint heading north from Manistee. I also swung by Baldwin to see the old coal tower. It was neat, but MQT sure has some ratty old rolling stock parked in their yards. Also: toured the S.S. City of Milwaukee, and went to Ludington on Saturday night just in time to see the Badger leave for Manitowoc. I swear I heard someone playing "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as the ship left port.

Sorry this is so disjointed.