:angel: Hello! My name is Sandy and I'm retired from the Port Huron & Detroit Railroad. My family owned the line for 60 years, from 1924 until Chessie took over December 15, 1984. Sad day. Anyway, I knew about the acquisition a year or so before the sale, and "liberated" documents from the vaults. If you are thinking of modelling a small short line that had connections with two Class I railroads, the PH&D is the perfect railroad. I've listed 10 reasons why to do so: 10 REASONS to MODEL THE PH&D RR1). Interesting 60+ year history covering both steam and diesel eras. 2). “T” Square interchange with two Class I (and classic) railroads, the Grand Trunk Western and the Pere Marquette Railway/C&O. 3). Perfect “point-to-point” layout, single track, no signals, two trains daily, noon and 11:00PM, down and back. 4). All switchers for motive power: Alco/Baldwin 0-6-0’s & Alco S2/4. 5). Unique rolling stock: Cabooses: a 4-wheel “bobber”, 2 ex-PM 400’s, & new bay windows. Boxcars: Fleets of 40’ outside-braced Mather cars & steel 40’ & 50’. M/W: Box/tank storage combo. 6). Examples of leased boxcars, from Mather 40’ to Itel 50’, produced and available in HO scale. 7). One of a handful of short line railroads with a heavyweight Pullman observation car, Castleblaney (ex-C&O business car #29). 8). Interesting mix of customers/commodities including sugar, groceries, coal, lumber, salt, auto parts, pleasure boats, rubber, gaskets & propane. 9). General offices, a roundhouse, a “wye”, and 3 “LCL” depots w REA. 10). Ample documentation, pictures, data, assigned car lists, construction history, engine rosters, etc. Ok, I'm new to this group and would help out anyone who wants to create his/her railroad based on the PH&D. If I can do so, please let me know! I think the PH&D should have its own "Fallen Flags" listing! Cheers!
Welcome to TrainBoard! Afraid I know very little of the PH&D. If you would, we have a nice little Forum for Fallen Flags. (" Ghost, Regional, & Other Fallen Flags ") And a thread there about whatever comes into mind, would be interesting for me! I have seen a few photos of box cars. But would be curious about locos and engines, a system map, stations and buildings. Or? Boxcab E50
Howdydoo Boxcab E50. Used to work on ranches near Livingston, back in the 60's. I'm game about adding the PH&D to the FallenFlags umbrella. Being a newb to this webpage, I couldn't figure out how I could get TBoard to add the PH&D to the list. If it was in there,betcha there would be some interest. I think these short lines represent a great opportunity for all modelers to use the smaller scope to great advantage. Thanks for your reply...sorry I haven't written sooner; it took me awhile to find this site again@! I do have all those that you asked about and would be glad to send em to you.
Hi WHLRYDR, Glad to have you aboard...:thumbs_up: I'm modeling a short line also. However, mine is an (un)imaginative disconnected wholly owned subsidiary of the B&M, which the B&M would just as soon nobody knew existed....:embarassed: On the other hand, I would like to see photos of the equipment that an actual short line operated with and profitably...I assume it was profitable since it was independently owned for 60 years. Otherwise the IRS would have declared it a hobby in short order....mg: I hope someone in Mgmt will honor your Pass and declare the PH&D a true Fallen Flag.
Sandy- Interesting that you were in the Livingston area. It's changed a lot. Is a loco rebuild center. Served by Montana Rail Link. By all means, feel free to start a topic in the Ghost, Regional & other fallen Flags. Or, if it works for you, I can just move this entire thread over there, and you can keep posting in this topic. I'd be curious to know more about the PH&D. I remember the famous box cars as a youth. Saw them a few times on trains here in the NW. How about depots? I like structure photos! Boxcab E50
Hi Sandy, Welcome to Trainboard! How well I remember your line as I grew up on the northeast side of Detroit. My first house on my own was in Port Huron, I loved watching your trains along Griswold, Lapeer and along the river! I do miss the Blue Water area, but I wouldn't trade it for southern Florida this time of year! The area sure has changed the last 20 years though. I look forward to your posts!:thumbs_up: PS... The Port Huron & Detroit would fit nicely in Fallen Flags!
Here are some photos of the Port Huron & Detroit Railroad for you guys. I will add some more later. Doug
Sandy, Welcome to the TrainBoard. It's always good to have prototype information, weather you build a special line or not. Wolfgang
Hello Sorry I'm late to the party. Hope not everyone has left. I'm building layout of the Port Huron and Blue Water Area. It will include railroad history, past and present, including the PH&D. I'd love to be able to ask few questions. Im looking to preserve a few beautiful structures on layout before lost forever. Mainly the Pere Marquette Abt Bascule and the "Mighty a Marysville" power plant. The area is rich in railroad history. There is everything you could hope for on a layout; an international tunnel (the first ever) and even rail ferries. Hopefully you are still on this forum.
I just came across this thread through an unrelated Google search, but Jason if you're still looking for information about the PH&D, the PH&D Railroad Historical Society has a pretty active Facebook page as well as a website, http://www.phdrailroad.com. I believe the organization will have a booth at the Port Huron train show this April as well.
