The last Conrail train over the Clinton Branch operated from Clinton to Lenawee Junction in March 1982. After this, the disused line quickly became overgrown with weeds and brush. The Southern Michigan Railroad Society had been formed in 1982 to try and rescue the line, but fundraising and purchase negotiations with Conrail took a few years.
In the spring of 1984, SMRS member Doug Leffler had acquired a Fairmont M9 motor car (ex-New York Central) and it was decided one Saturday to take it out to inspect the state of the Clinton Branch at that time.
On 21 April 1984 a run was made from the SMRS museum building in Clinton to Tecumseh and back. As it was early spring, there was no plant growth yet, but the tracks were covered with dead weeds from the previous year and flangeways at crossings filled in, making it hard going. The crew also had to use hand saws to clear branches and fallen trees at some points.
The run was a success, and being able to see the line close-up refreshed our efforts to preserve it. Not long after this, the first motor car belonging to SMRS became operational, and work sessions began to clear brush and open up the line again.
Present on the run were Doug, his son David, friend George and this blog’s author. Gerald Grossman followed the run by car, and took the following photos to mark the occasion.
Working to start the motor car in the Clinton yard. (Gerald Grossman photo)
Departing Clinton on 21 April 1984. In the distance is the SMRS museum building. To the left is the former-NYC freight house, at the time being used by the Clinton Grain Company. (Gerald Grossman photo)
Passing through the south end of the yard at Clinton, MI. In the background are buildings that once belonged to the Clinton Engines Company. These are no longer standing. (Gerald Grossman photo)
The inspection run arrives in Tecumseh. The motor car is passing over the switch which led to the R.S. Moore & Son Lumber Company. Note the old reflectorized crossbucks—although Evans Street was a one-way street (southbound) at this time, the crossbucks face in both directions, left over from earlier times of two-way travel (which has returned today). The switch at this location was eventually removed by SMRS. (Gerald Grossman photo)
Blog update (02 November 2016):
Although the 1984 run pictured above was the first SMRS run to Tecumseh, a photo has turned up depicting an earlier test of Doug’s motor car in the Clinton yard on 13 November 1982:
David Leffler, Jeffrey Dobek and Doug Leffler at a motor car test run in Clinton, MI on 13 November 1982. (Gerald Grossman photo)
This post is part of an ongoing series highlighting the “golden age” of the Southern Michigan Railroad Society in the 1980s. Too see more posts from this series, click on the SMRS tag at the bottom of this post.
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