Locomotive #1807, an S-1, was built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company. Weighing in at 99 tons, it has a 660 horsepower diesel engine. When first built, it served ALCO as a yard switcher. Later, it was sold to the U.S. Army and worked at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was declared army surplus, then obtained by MTM.
"EL" cars numberd 4442 and 4450 were built in 1924 by the Cincinnati Car Company for the elevated ("El") commuter railroad system of the Chicago Transit Authority. These 38 ton cars operated various city routes until 1974. MTM acquired these cars in 1976.
Caboose number 77058 was built near the turn of the century for the Grand Trunk Railroad and operated over most of the system.
Locomotive #4040, an RS4TC, was built in 1951 by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton and rebuilt in 1992 with a Caterpillar 500HP diesel engine and EMD controls. It was declared surplus by Selfridge ANG Base in 1995 and subsequently acquired by MTM.
Also, currently under restoration are a Toronto and a Detroit PCC Streetcar.
In 1862 at this depot, young Thomas Edison saved the station agent's small child from certain death. The child was on the tracks in the path of a rolling box car. In appreciation, the station agent taught Tom telegraphy. And so began Edison's short career in railroading. Some of his earliest inventions were based on what he learned at the station.
The depot continued in railroad use until 1980, when the City of Mount Clemens bought it and leased it to Michigan Transit Museum for use as its headquarters and museum.
The depot is now restored to its 1900 appearance. Inside are exhibits surrounding railroading of that era.
Also inside is a railroad gift shop. There's quite a selection of items available that make great gifts or converstaion pieces.
As a reminder, the train depot is unfortunately NOT the location from which the Trolley-Train departs.
Membership in MTM is open to anyone who is interested in railroad history and would like to help with our various projects. Applications are available at the depot museum or caboose station. The organization operates on the aspirations of its members. Volunteers are always needed to help maintain the trackage, equipment and historic depot.
