JULY - AUGUST
1998
NEW LOADING SITE AT JOY PARK IS
RURAL SETTING!
Up to now, not much has been said about our new loading
site at Clinton Township's Joy Park. These photos will bring you
up to date, and show you just how rural this setting is.
The upper photo was taken in the spring before there were many
leaves on the trees. (not shown). It was taken near one of two
parking lots at Joy Park. The woodchip path had just been laid
down, along with the whole area at trackside. The park pavillion
can be seen at the right, a sand pile is located in front of it,
and playground equipment is located beside it. 'Stuff for the
kids!
The above photo was taken shortly after regular train operation
began. The caboose is parked where the path widens out. We set
up temporary stakes with ropes to guide the people to the caboose,
then along trackside to the train. One rope is used to keep people
off the track. Shown in the picture are Vernon C. Gomez, and Daniel
Cameron (with flag in hand). Vern runs back and forth between
the Depot and trainside with supplies, and helps set up, then
becomes Depot host, then helps take down, while Dan takes care
of the grounds, and makes sure everything stays together.
The above photo shows the train coming into the loading site with
Engineer Fountain at the controls. Since we are using the North
Shore car in the lead, you may note that only one stairway is
necessary, as the 761 has stairs and traps like a regular passenger
car. During Sunday operation, the door to the front or "smoking"
section of the North Shore car is kept closed for the crew. It
also houses the stand for the missing seat.
The upper photo was taken by Vernon C. Gomez. The middle and lower
photos were taken by curator Gary J. Michaels.
SPEEDING TRUCK DRIVEN BY DRUNK DRIVER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO M.T.M. TRACK AND LARGE MOBILE HOME NEAR BY!
About 4:00 am., on Sat. morning, June 6, 1998, a brand
new red Dodge Ram truck, driven by a man who was well over the
legal intoxication level, raced down Welts Street at a speed estimated
to be between 60-70 m.p.h. The truck went off the end of the street,
struck our track, went airborne and crashed into a deck at the
rear of a large mobile home, about 50' from the track.
The left (or top) photo shows where the truck ended up. The nose
of the truck pushed in the rear wall slightly, enough to knock
out the air conditioning, and damage the door frame. Ms. Patti
Engelhart, owner of the mobile home (and one of Prof. William
Henning's students), stated the next day that she was very glad
that the track was there, or the damage could have been much worse,
if not fatal! Also, please note the location of the gas meter
- - what if .... ?.
The right (or bottom) photo shows what our track looked like after
the truck had been dragged back away. Before the truck was removed,
the two rails actually touched together! The spikes were torn
out (almost sideways) from over 100' of the south rail. This view
looks straight west toward the North Ave. crossing. The "STOP"
sign seems very appropriate, in that I don't think any of our
equipment will automatically go that narrow a gauge! Also note
that there are no noticeable tire marks in the grass. The police
reports have been filed to include the M.T.M. in any damage settlement
resulting from this "accident".
Several estimates have been received, and they are all rather
costly. Almost all of the ties in a 150' section of track will
have to be replaced, along with several sections of rail, ballast,
etc. The lucky thing about this whole incident (besides the fact
that the track may have saved Patti's life!), is that it happened
at a place where we don't usually run our regular passenger service.
We will be very glad when this problem is settled, and we can
use our whole railroad again! DF
Photos by chief photographer, Vernon C. Gemez.
