I’m hoping the collective can help me. My layout is a prototype based layout depicting the CN-GT Detroit division. I’ve been able to paint and detail a fleet of atlas gp38-2 and I have gathered some great pics of the flat rock yard. I have the who part of the model railroad I have the when (fall 2011) I have the where… But the elusive part is the why? I would like to starting buying freight cars to match my photos but I can’t seem to find who the GT services. I know the auto industry. But who do they switch with? And when? What’s in all These cars and were are they going? I really enjoy the hobby and I would like to have my structures and activities match my prototype as closely as possible
There is much to respond to in your question. Around the downriver area, you have auto parts plants, steel mills, auto assembly plants lumber yards etc. Also, there was a train that terminated in flatrock, but originated in London, Ontario. Petrochemicals, raw materials, lumber paper etc would be on that train.
Are you looking for specifics?
Are you keeping to downriver area, or modeling things farther north (moterm, milwaukee jct., durand, etc?
Flatrock is the interchange for the IORY, I believe.
Thanks for the reply. My biggest questions fall under operations I would love to have a realistic operating session. Looking at the maps I’d like to have my layout include the dearborn subdivision from fordson to flat rock with the melvindale jct. and the flat rock division from flat rock yard to springfield jct Ohio both division have relatively low mph requirements that would add realism to my sessions. I have done a lot of research on the web. But I have fallen short in the operations side of GT. I purchased a great DVD that show most of the GT line in action but didn’t really explain what they carry and to who. I see Edison power plant on the GT line but short of knocking on the door and asking to look around,how can I gather information? I’m currently reading Tony Koester 's “prototype to layout” and he has exact switching behaviors and practices even down to the time of day. That really appeals to me. I enjoy the research side of the hobby but seem to be at dead end on what I can gather from the websites I find though search engines. I do belong to the GT historical soceity and the NMRA and have found the NMRA very helpful
My main questions
Along these routes who does GT service? And what freight is involved
Does the GT jct at melvindale and springfield include NS,CP, or another line?
Im not sure of where you live, but I’ve seen timetables and such for GT and the former DT&I (which looks like the area yu want to model) at train shows in mich.
I know right around flat Rock you have an autoplant, stamping plant, finished auto lot, lumber, and a place that receives steel.
Farther up toward dearborn, it serves the severtaal steel and ford truck, also us steel and detroit edison. Not sure who serves det edison in trenton or monore.
Also, I thought GT/CN sold off the old DT&I south of flatrock. CN does run to Toledo, but along the shoreline. If you search michiganrailroads.com, and other sites, you will get more info that will help you.
Apart from the local industries around Detroit, it’s also a bit of a hub for traffic passing through the area.
Here’s a few of the trains handling international traffic that would be passing through your area:
CN 144 Detroit to Toronto (Roadrailer ex NS)
CN 145 Toronto to Detroit (Roadrailer)
CN 289 Toronto to Flatrock (Autoracks) *not sure if this still operates currently
CN 382 Toledo (CSX) to Toronto (Intermodal/manifest)
CN 383 Toronto to Stanley, OH (CSX) (Intermodal/manifest)
CN 384 Toledo (NS Air Line Jct.) to Toronto (Manifest)
CN 385 Toronto to Toledo (NS Air Line Jct.) (Manifest)
CN 386 Flatrock to London, Ontario (Manifest)
CN 387 London to Flatrock (Manifest)
CN 598 Flatrock to Windsor
CN 599 Windsor to Flatrock
All of the above except for 598/599 cross the border at Sarnia, Ontario/Port Huron, Michigan. Most of the 380 series trains listed above perform switching work at Sarnia and Port Huron where they could be picking up traffic from other trains as well as petrochemical traffic from Sarnia.
Pretty sure there will be other trains linking Detroit to Toledo, Detroit to Battle Creek or Flint. Plus locals and transfers to other railroads in Detroit.
Not sure either where you’re located, geographically, but if not within driving distance Google Earth, Google Maps Street View and Bing Maps Birds-eye view are your friends. At a minimum you can use these free online tools to scope out areas to focus on when you make a field-trip to the area to finish up your research.
Lance Mindheim has advocated - among others - that for the price of a new-production locomotive these days you can find discounted airfare to where you want to go. Besides DTW, check out flights to TOL (Toledo), FNT (Flint, MI) or LAN (Lansing, MI). Pick a day of the week for a whole-day outing (Saturdays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays are best for discounts), take the 6:00 AM or whichever is the earliest flight out, rent a car for the day and return on the last flight home. You’ll avoid the cost of a hotel - however you can find cheap rates near your targeted area for an overnight if needed.
Nothing beats being there with a digital camera and notebook in hand. Unfortunately I live closer to the Flint and Holly subs than old DT&I and DTSL territory, so other than needing miles of autoracks and parts boxcars you’ll have to tap others.