CM  MOTIVE  POWER  AT  ST. JOHNS

On Sept.4,1987, the Grand Trunk Western sold their line from Durand to Muskegon to the Central Michigan Railway Co. Until CM acquired their own motive power they leased some GP-9s from the GTW. In this view GTW 4901 and 4934 have arrived in St.Johns to spot a load of lumber at Central Michigan Lumber Co. [No relation to the railroad] No.4901 was built in 1954 and started life with the GTW as No.1767. No.4901 was one of two to be GTW's first diesel passenger locomotives. No.4900 was the other In 1956 the number was changed to 4901. In 1992, 4901 was rebuilt as a GP9r with a new number of 4635. No.4934 was built in 1958-59 and as of 1994 was in storage.

In this view the two GP-9s have spotted their lumber car and are backing to the east to tie onto their train and head on west.

In 1989 I photographed CM 8802 at the Mead street grade crossing switching some grain cars for Country Mark. Central Michigan's 8800s were ex B&O GP40's rebuilt as GP38's by Mid-America Car Co.

Central Michigan 8804 basking in the early morning sun at the St.Johns depot in 1990.

An over anxious CM crew put this DTI box car into Clinton ave. from the Country Mark spur one evening. 1989.

Central Michigan 8802 east bound past the St.Johns depot in May, 1990. Country Mark elevator is on the right.

July3,1992. Central Michigan 8804 eases into St Johns with three empty grain cars for Country Mark. The rusty spur on the left goes to Central Michigan Lumber Co. We are approaching the end of railroading in St.Johns. It all started back in January, 1857 when the Detroit & Milwaukee dug the deep cut at the US-27 overpass in the background and laid the first track into the village.

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