It has been a crazy last few weeks as we have moved FIVE pieces of equipment to our main trackage!
In 2023, we announced that the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust awarded $10,000 toward the relocation of our Pullman sleeper Emerald Vale. This past Saturday, we brought the Emerald Vale to our main track for the first time in our 39 year ownership of the car. The car was unloaded in Tecumseh and arrived in Clinton by rail later that evening, an arrival that was long overdue. We plan to restore this car for use in our passenger train.
As a matter of logistics, we needed to move our boxcar, Ann Arbor Railroad 1351, to provide the space to load the Emerald Vale. This freight car has also been in our collection for many years and it is great to have it more accessible.
Another freight car, Grand Trunk Western Railroad ballast hopper 85436, was also moved off of our neighboring railroad. This car had been stored in Adrian for a number of years and we are excited to bring it home.
Finally, we have welcomed two new wide vision cabooses: Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway 53101 and Grand Trunk Western Railroad 79053. These cabooses are privately owned, but will be used to increase capacity on our passenger trains as soon as they are ready for service.
This series of equipment moves would not have been possible without the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust providing the catalyst to relocate the Emerald Vale. Additionally, we would like to thank Penn Acres Grain, Inc. for delivering 120 tons of stone between the loading and unloading sites. Finally, we’d like to thank Schlatter Boys Transport for moving all 5 of these pieces over the course of three days. We would not be able to undertake exciting projects like this without the help of our valued partners!
Unfortunately, the scope at this time did not include Ann Arbor Railroad RS-1 locomotive 21. The locomotive will remain stored and is carefully monitored and maintained.
As you can see, we have plenty of ongoing projects at our railroad. If you would like to help with these restorations, consider becoming a member! Our volunteers are always looking for more hands to keep up with these exciting projects!
