Good afternoon,
I’ve heard that the E&LS (or its owner) has a number of unique locos stored at their shop near Escanaba, MI. Does anyone know what is up there and what condition its in? I’ve seen a range of power in E&LS moves such as the SD-9’s, an occaisional small SW, a Baldwin AS-616 (at least I think that’s what it was), and former WSOR E-units (or were they F’s). I’ve heard he has Baldwin Shark nose diesels and other oddities. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thx,
Stack
ELS bought the WSOR FP-7 71A, ex MILW. Is now ELS 600. They use it on freight trains. The shop is off limits to anybody but employees. They had problems in the past with theft.[V]
Yes, some individuals did manage to ruin it for everyone as far as the E&LS is concerned, and who can blame them for not wanting us around? IIRC, their “no trespassing” signs specifically mention railfans. I was pleasantly surprised to find that their website includes a page of photos (last updated 2005) especially for railfans.
I recall when the ELS was VERY friendly to railroad fans , I guess they learned a hard lesson as those days are over .
John Larkin (the owner) is an amazing man , I’ve never met him but because of his efforts alot of very interesting equipment will be preserved , pity there are not many more like him .
The same can be said about the owner of the Ohio Central .
I would like to show my kids and grandkids what it was like when I started working for the railroad , how many people never heard an FM run? How bout a Baldwin?
John Larkin is a great man, and and alot of his equipment will be going to us when he passes. He has Super Domes, Sharks, F units, etc up there. Railfans ruined it for themselves.
[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][bow]
Not only is the Locomotive Maintenance & Repair Shop off limits, the gift shop is restricted, and the coffee shop is invitation only.
Andrew
Ditto to everything said already.
In the 80’s, my parents were on their honeymoon in Canada, and came back to WI via Michigan’s UP. They heard about the thefts at the E&LS, and wanted to see if they could see anything.
They were at the car shops (large yellow shop buildings with E&LS markings), and they got ran out by Police from being on the road taking photos. They eventually went south to a dirt road, and took the telephoto lens out, and took shots of the Sharks in-between the buildings.
The same view has been seen at the actual roundhouse/shops for the last 10-15 years. There are about 4 RS-12’s, 2 ex-Calumet & Hecla (S-12’s?? or DS’s) Baldwins, several passenger cars, other locos, ect.
I have tracked many locos and passenger cars that are “somewhere” on the E&LS. These include a J. Neils Lumber Co. Shay, several SOO Line wood passenger cars, and a Chapel car from Virginia City, MT, the steam engine that was on display in Ontonagon, MI, a Erie Mining Solarium-Lounge (just like the Walthers model), the elusive Sharks, and until 10? years ago, an actual E&LS 2-8-0 (now at the Attica & Arcade Railroad), 3 Milwaukee Road passenger cars (including a Skytop), a nearly full set of Soo Line Heavyweight Passenger Cars (that is a rumor that I just found, but I know he has at least 3), and who knows what else.
If you know someone that knows John Larkin (I do, but have never been anywhere near the stuff that no one has seen in years), or know an employee, knock on their door, and see if you can get a tour.
Phil
I know people that have been inside the Sharks, but that is hush-hush. All I can say is that his equipment will be taken care of after his passing in 20+ years.
I am almost positive Erie Mining never had any passenger cars, much less a Solarium Lounge.
You maybe thinking of the C&NW #6700, which is owned by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and is sto
I think the Taconite Trail is probably a Business Car, but I’m not sure. I doubt they had anymore than this one. It was rostered by Trans-Northern (Clint Jones, Algoma Railroad), and stored at Houghton, MI. Here’s one of 2 pics I have…
It would make an interiesting model, now that the Walthers car is avaiable…
Phil