SMRS trains pass at Staib Road

On 31 May 1987, the southbound Southern Michigan Railroad “caboose train” (made up of Plymouth switcher #57 and 1-2 caboose cars) has just crossed Staib Road, heading for Tecumseh.

The single-ended siding at Staib (which once served Tecumseh Crop Service) was the approximate half-way point between Clinton and Tecumseh and proved useful as a meeting point between the SMR’s two operating passenger services. Service started at 12:00 on Saturdays and Sundays when the caboose train left Clinton, with the departure 45 min. later of the motor car train. The motor cars would then take the siding at Staib, and wait for the passing of the returning caboose train.

Train services departed Clinton and Tecumseh at 45-minute intervals throughout the afternoon. Passengers were allowed to get off and spend time in either town. They just had to be back on board for the last departure of the day!

In the photo, taken from the rear caboose platform, the motor car train crew of Bob MacDowell and Ed Hodges already has the siding lined for the train to pull out, and Bob is flagging the Staib Road crossing.

Soon after this a telephone box would be installed at this location to permit communication with the Clinton office as well as the Tecumseh phone box.

 

 

 

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