I am from Northeastern Ohio, and am going to be in Durand, MI this weekend. The original plans were to go to Cassandra, PA, but due to bad weather on the horizon, our destination has been changed. Now then, I have never been to Durand. What I do know, is that it was formerly the crossroads of Grand Trunk Western (I believe, tis’ what I have been told). The Tuscola & Saginaw Bay (Huron & Eastern, Great Lakes Central or whatever it is this week) also runs a line through here.
I’d like to know a rough schedule, if anyone has such a thing, of train activity through Durand, MI or the general vicinity. I hear it is busy in mornings and evenings, but mid-day is terrible. Scanner frequencies would also be appreciated, but I can undoubtedly find them on my own. Does the HESR, TSBY, GLC or etc. operates trains daily? Is there any Canadian Pacific run-through trains? And also, what time does the Amtrak “Blue Water” make it’s station stop at Durand, and is it daily?
Thanks in advance for the information, it is appreciated.
I’ve been to Durand many times and most of what you have heard is accurate. Two CN lines cross in Durand-one line from Canada to Chicago (Flint Sub, I believe) and one line from Canada through Detroit and up to Durand (Holly Sub). I’ve also experienced traffic in the morning and evening with some mid-day lulls. An HESR train comes in pretty reliably mid-afternoon or so, pulls through the yard and then backs into the yard. You’re also likely to see some other yard action. Durand Union Station is right at the diamond and it’s a great place to gather. The station is open for water/restrooms and has a small, but very nice, museum/gift shop. A model railroad club also has open houses on Saturday afternoons. Durand is a “quiet” zone, so no whislting through town. Downtown Durand, with a few restaurants is within easy walking distance, and the usual fast food stuff is out by the freeway. I’ve got frequencies plugged into my scanner at home but can’t remember what they are. Most railfans there have scanners and can tell you. I strayed down the Holly Sub one day on foot and was questioned briefly by CN police (very nice). Overall, it’s very enjoyable and if you spend an entire day there, you’re likely to catch at least 5, 6, maybe 10 trains. Enjoy!
The Blue Water is scheduled to stop at Durand at 7:02 a.m. westbound and 9:07 p.m. eastbound.
The Durand depot is one spot in the country that I consider to be “hallowed ground”. I haven’t been there when it was open as a museum, but remember well what it was like when GTW and Ann Arbor were the games in town. I hope that the museum can give a full sense of the history of this special town (and building!). I personally knew close to a dozen of the people memorialized in the bricks on the platform. I ate several meals at one of the downtown restaurants (before the fast-food places were anywhere around!) when it was operated by the wife of a conductor friend of mine.
Thanks for the replies. The “Blue Water” should be an interesting catch, as it has units on both ends. Not sure if the “Michigan Services” runs through Durand either, or is the ‘Blue Water’ a part of the “Michigan Services?” Oh well, I can make do with the Blue Water. Also, that is bad news about the downtown being a quiet zone. As a videographer, I like getting the sounds of horns. Every quiet zone is a bad one! We have been talking about hitting East Lansing, MI while we are up in that kneck of the woods, so maybe I will catch some horn action there…
Other than that, I look forward to this journey. I am pretty dependant on my railfan friend Marty, who seems to do pretty well with railfanning, even when provided with little information. I anticipate seeing about three CP trains through Durand during the daylight hours. I believe that is what I have heard. Either way, this will all be new stuff to me…
I do recall seeing a few CP through freights in Durand. You might also try Plymouth, Michigan if you’re in the area. CSX has a diamond there where there is quite often some action.