Great video ! I have always been a huge fan of the Grand Trunk Western . I grew up in Oxford along the Pontiac Oxford and Northern branch in the 70s and 80s . I could always hear the whistle and I remember being able to see the train from my window as it came into an opening across the lake . I often times grabbed the binoculars to see the details as it seemed so small . As I grew older I would hear the train coming and would race my bicycle as fast as I could to the tracks down the street and would make it just in time to see the train go by . Also There was a diamond at the north east corner of town where the Grand Trunk crossed the Penn central formerly the Michigan Central . I often would ride my bicycle into town and wait for the trains at the diamond . as I grew older I moved near Pontiac right next to a GT right of way and would often drive down to the Pontiac yard just to watch the trains . Now I'm modeling an N scale Grand Trunk Western in my basement . I often times look at Google maps just so I can see the old right of way and reminisce . Long live the GT !
3:55 There used to be a part where he talked about the GTW using steam locomotives in local, heavy freight and express passenger services and some of the locomotives, but it's gone now.
As the daughter of a long-time GTW locomotive foreman, I really appreciate this video! I can recall taking that train from Birmingham, MI, having my car uncoupled at Durand, and put on the train bound for Chicago. Dad used to work at Milwaukee Junction in Detroit. Do you recall the year the locomotives were painted for the bicentennial?
My Grandpa David Streeter was the engineer on the last steam engine through Durand. I spent many hours at the Durand round house waiting in the car for my dad Dale Streeter to tie up. I love the “Grand old lady” depot. While I was not in it much when I was young now I try to go there at least once a year to see what new things have been done to keep up the depot. The diamond in Durand was the largest in the world and is now gone as is the round house. Sure wish we had more rail travel today.
I really miss the Grand Trunk Western, my father was an engineer for the GT for many years in Chicago, it was a very sad time when they closed the Elsdon Yard in the mid 80s. Long live the good track road!!
my grandfather, an uncle and my dad had over 125 years of service in the Port Huron Car Shops for the GTW... at one time i wanted to work for them as well but i joined the Air Force and afterwards had different plans... im so glad you included as much Port Huron stuff as you did. so often people leave PH out of the story, when they tell it... Burdakin Blue (so named because GTW President John Burdakin picked it out) and Morency Orange were the colors... great video...
Very nice I worked for GTW for 12 years 1976 to 1988 my great Uncle was Leon Heinrich (Heiny) my Dad Ray Heinrich also known as Heiny and me Heiny Jr., thank you for the video a nice walk down memory lane.
As of 2024 there's still one locomotive in the CN fleet that retains the GTW livery. Suffice to say CN hasn't really considered the rebrand a high priority.
That's not true. Most of the geeps still have the old GT colors along with the IC black color. The rare hard to finds are the actual WC paint schemes. Source: I work for CN NA
Thanks! From what I know, the IC was completely taken over by CN and all of it's operations, similar to the GTW. However, the GTW still exists as it's own entity called the Grand Trunk Corporation as stated in the video. With that said, the IC wasn't considered a Class 1 but considered part of what makes up a Class 1 railroad. It was essentially a purchased merger. As for the CGW, it was merged with the C&NW so I wouldn't think it would be considered a Class 1 but later part of what makes up the UP.
AmtrakGuy365 the route north of the lake Orion plant was not abandoned I have videos of the train going through I could try and post them I know a railyard I saw there there was boxcars and cn officials everywhere
Harris County Rail fanning sort of you can still run trains on it and nothing has grown over so I mean it's in pretty good shape it kind of looks like a private railroad owns it also there's one part in the line that you get a full view of the few lakes that are there and it is beautiful
You probably dont give a damn but does someone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost the password. I love any help you can offer me.
Some good news and this seemed like the right place to share it: GTW engine 5030 has been on static display in a park in my hometown Jackson, Michigan since 1958 and has just recently been bought by a company out of Pennsylvania that plans to fix it up and turn it into an excursion train! Though it will take many years its awesome to know atleast one of the original GTW engines will see life and service again one day.
Hey stoned-person! If they can take that J3a Pacific, (5030), and restore that HEAVILY rusted POS, into an operational locomotive...my hat's off to them. With that being said, the K4a 5632 in Durand wouldn't be as much of a challenge would it? I hate to see it sitting there crumbling by the minute and would be "kinda" like replacing 5629. A short story long, I've been trying for years to communicate with ANYBODY whose as big of a Steam fan as I of the GTW. If interested, I'm at jimg2480@gmail.com. Later!
This is cool! I live in Valparaiso Indiana and the old GT/current CN track is like literally across the street from me. There's still some GT signage on some of the crossings.
Very well done! I enjoyed watching this video and learning about the Grand Trunk Western. For the next one could you possibly do the Milwaukee Road next? As it's my favourite railroad and to be honest it wasn't given a chance to live on to this day which is very sad.
My Grandfathers Faye Pierce and David Streeter as well as my father Dale Streeter and Uncles Jack Pierce and Basil Pierce were all locomotive engineers based out of Durand and Battle Creek, MI. Thank you for the history lesson.
The old Grand Trunk Western Route is still mostly intact through Portland Maine. The lower half that wraps around the Portland Peninsula is now owned by Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the huge swing bridge that stretches across the bay is still visible from the Route 1 bridge.
In New England there was the Grand Trunk out of Portland, ME. It ran to a CN connection for Montreal. One more point is that WC, and IC were later additions to CN North America. When it was formed the US subsidies were DW&P, GT, GTW, and CV. CV and GT were shortlined. Since then DMIR, B&LE, WC, and IC have been acquired.
Great video! Maine had the GT until they dropped it and SLR/SLQ took over. They started building the line in Lewiston maine, but currently it sits unused.
Thank you for doing your history on the grand trunk Western I always like that railroad cuz of their paint scheme I saw grand trunk Western engine once when I went through Idaho I live in Utah it was pretty cool to see I think the next Railroad you should do a history on cuz there's not much is the Northern Pacific railroad
Check out the history of the Chicago and Northwestern. A rise from the shores along Lake Michigan across the Midwest to the UP buy-out in the 90s. Just an idea. Plus they had some trains picked up by Amtrak like the Hiawatha....
You "borrowed" several images from one or more of my web sites. At 3:49, three engines at Battle Creek, 1953; at 3:57, diesel 7904 at Durand, 1953; at 4:01, 4-6-2 5634 at Durand, 1953 -- all of which I personally took on size 116 film at 1/60 second. Also, at 3:46, three engines at Durand which were given me by Jerry Tyler. I am always glad to share my photos but like to receive acknowledgement.
Oh I greatly do apologize! These days, I always provide credit where credit is due if I use other people's content in the form of a text overlay on the video when someone's content appears, in the credits at the end, and or in the video description. When I made this video in 2016, I was pretty ignorant to assume people just knew where these images came from, or I simply forgot to credit people (which is a dumb mistake I know see). In no way did I attempt or have intentions to claim I owned the content used in this video. Just a mistake of me not crediting anyone having forgotten to do so. I have since added a credits list in the description including your respective credits. Thank you for letting me know.
We were fortune to get ownership of 4070 for special services until the 90s on the CVSR. Currently shes still under restoration sadly in the roundhouse.
Hey! What's up with 4070? She's been under restoration since God made dirt and I'm tired of looking at old 8mm videos of her, (aw...poor me huh?). I can't help but think that she seems close to completion, but even with her "re-build"... those "newly" installed parts are getting a little old. 'Kind of reminds me of Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bee holding periodic bake sales to raise funds, (no offense intended), but where are all the people standing track side, (back in the day), who relished this beautiful locomotive? Jeez!, where's Bill Gates, and other ga-zillionaires when you need 'em?
Michigan Rail Productions Apparently it’s like what happened with Conrail. It’s still considered a railway but with nothing under its ownership. Essentially, they just take the locomotives, stock, etc., I guess.
Not entirely correct. The part about other railroads avoiding Michigan because of swamp is incorrect. The State of Michigan was very proggressive in chartering and construction of railroads starting in the 1830s. Timber and railroad car manufacturing were major commodities for Michigan in the 1800s. Both hauled by trains. After Vandebilt, owner of the New York Central, bought the Michigan Central he stopped Grand Trunk from using MC's tracks. So, GTR in the 1870s, before the tunnel was built, had to piece together its own mainline from Pt Huron to Flint to Lansing to Chicago by buying seperate railroads that ran between these cities. The Dequindre Cut was not at all part of the Michigan Air Line. The Dequindre Cut was originally part of the northwest-southeast running Detroit and Pontiac Railroad. Which became the Detroit and Milwaukee, which became the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee under Great Western Railway ownership which was bought by Grand Trunk Railway. The Michigan Air Line ran from predominately from the northeast to southwest from St. Clair to Richmond to Pontiac to Jackson.
Great video ! I have always been a huge fan of the Grand Trunk Western . I grew up in Oxford along the Pontiac Oxford and Northern branch in the 70s and 80s . I could always hear the whistle and I remember being able to see the train from my window as it came into an opening across the lake . I often times grabbed the binoculars to see the details as it seemed so small . As I grew older I would hear the train coming and would race my bicycle as fast as I could to the tracks down the street and would make it just in time to see the train go by . Also There was a diamond at the north east corner of town where the Grand Trunk crossed the Penn central formerly the Michigan Central . I often would ride my bicycle into town and wait for the trains at the diamond . as I grew older I moved near Pontiac right next to a GT right of way and would often drive down to the Pontiac yard just to watch the trains . Now I'm modeling an N scale Grand Trunk Western in my basement . I often times look at Google maps just so I can see the old right of way and reminisce . Long live the GT !
The blue and red color scheme is one of my favorite color scheme of any railroad. Good to know some locomotives still fly they're original colors
3:55 There used to be a part where he talked about the GTW using steam locomotives in local, heavy freight and express passenger services and some of the locomotives, but it's gone now.
As the daughter of a long-time GTW locomotive foreman, I really appreciate this video! I can recall taking that train from Birmingham, MI, having my car uncoupled at Durand, and put on the train bound for Chicago. Dad used to work at Milwaukee Junction in Detroit. Do you recall the year the locomotives were painted for the bicentennial?
1976
As a Michigander, Thanks for a great video. I shared it with fellow Railfans.
My Grandpa David Streeter was the engineer on the last steam engine through Durand. I spent many hours at the Durand round house waiting in the car for my dad Dale Streeter to tie up. I love the “Grand old lady” depot. While I was not in it much when I was young now I try to go there at least once a year to see what new things have been done to keep up the depot. The diamond in Durand was the largest in the world and is now gone as is the round house. Sure wish we had more rail travel today.
I really miss the Grand Trunk Western, my father was an engineer for the GT for many years in Chicago, it was a very sad time when they closed the Elsdon Yard in the mid 80s. Long live the good track road!!
0:17 "Today I'll be explaining the history of the Grand Trunk Western, or GTW as quick as possible, so let's get started."
my grandfather, an uncle and my dad had over 125 years of service in the Port Huron Car Shops for the GTW...
at one time i wanted to work for them as well but i joined the Air Force and afterwards had different plans...
im so glad you included as much Port Huron stuff as you did. so often people leave PH out of the story, when they tell it...
Burdakin Blue (so named because GTW President John Burdakin picked it out) and Morency Orange were the colors...
great video...
From Port Huron also. Remember taking the passenger train through the old tunnel on a field trip from Garfield school late 50's.
This reminds me of Bill Wurtz
The sun is a deadly lazar
It does btw
Yep
0:27
Ive been looking for this sound for years
Very nice I worked for GTW for 12 years 1976 to 1988 my great Uncle was Leon Heinrich (Heiny) my Dad Ray Heinrich also known as Heiny and me Heiny Jr., thank you for the video a nice walk down memory lane.
A job very well done! Looks like a lot of work and research went into making this. Bob...
Lol great job, really enjoyed it. Maybe do either SOO or WC, both would be pretty interesting.
Chessie System!!
As of 2024 there's still one locomotive in the CN fleet that retains the GTW livery. Suffice to say CN hasn't really considered the rebrand a high priority.
That's not true. Most of the geeps still have the old GT colors along with the IC black color. The rare hard to finds are the actual WC paint schemes. Source: I work for CN NA
I've been waiting for a grand trunk video from you I guess I didn't scroll down far enough in your videos.
cheers man
i have friend who works as a conductor on the GTW CN at battle creek
This is Gold! I didn't even know the GTW was still considered a class 1. Illinois Central? or Chicago Great Western?
Thanks! From what I know, the IC was completely taken over by CN and all of it's operations, similar to the GTW. However, the GTW still exists as it's own entity called the Grand Trunk Corporation as stated in the video. With that said, the IC wasn't considered a Class 1 but considered part of what makes up a Class 1 railroad. It was essentially a purchased merger. As for the CGW, it was merged with the C&NW so I wouldn't think it would be considered a Class 1 but later part of what makes up the UP.
AmtrakGuy365 the route north of the lake Orion plant was not abandoned I have videos of the train going through I could try and post them I know a railyard I saw there there was boxcars and cn officials everywhere
Is it in good shape?
Harris County Rail fanning sort of you can still run trains on it and nothing has grown over so I mean it's in pretty good shape it kind of looks like a private railroad owns it also there's one part in the line that you get a full view of the few lakes that are there and it is beautiful
You probably dont give a damn but does someone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I was dumb lost the password. I love any help you can offer me.
Some good news and this seemed like the right place to share it: GTW engine 5030 has been on static display in a park in my hometown Jackson, Michigan since 1958 and has just recently been bought by a company out of Pennsylvania that plans to fix it up and turn it into an excursion train! Though it will take many years its awesome to know atleast one of the original GTW engines will see life and service again one day.
Hey stoned-person! If they can take that J3a Pacific, (5030), and restore that HEAVILY rusted POS, into an operational locomotive...my hat's off to them. With that being said, the K4a 5632 in Durand wouldn't be as much of a challenge would it? I hate to see it sitting there crumbling by the minute and would be "kinda" like replacing 5629. A short story long, I've been trying for years to communicate with ANYBODY whose as big of a Steam fan as I of the GTW. If interested, I'm at jimg2480@gmail.com. Later!
This is cool! I live in Valparaiso Indiana and the old GT/current CN track is like literally across the street from me. There's still some GT signage on some of the crossings.
do a history video of Southern Pacific
Very well done!
I enjoyed watching this video and learning about the Grand Trunk Western.
For the next one could you possibly do the Milwaukee Road next? As it's my favourite railroad and to be honest it wasn't given a chance to live on to this day which is very sad.
OMG THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH
5:21 when your having to much fun
My Grandfathers Faye Pierce and David Streeter as well as my father Dale Streeter and Uncles Jack Pierce and Basil Pierce were all locomotive engineers based out of Durand and Battle Creek, MI. Thank you for the history lesson.
GRAND TRUNK STANDS WHOS WITH ME
me I guess
Just today I saw a CN train in Chicago with a hopper car with its Illinois Central paint still on, not even an ex IC car.
The old Grand Trunk Western Route is still mostly intact through Portland Maine. The lower half that wraps around the Portland Peninsula is now owned by Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the huge swing bridge that stretches across the bay is still visible from the Route 1 bridge.
In New England there was the Grand Trunk out of Portland, ME. It ran to a CN connection for Montreal.
One more point is that WC, and IC were later additions to CN North America. When it was formed the US subsidies were DW&P, GT, GTW, and CV. CV and GT were shortlined. Since then DMIR, B&LE, WC, and IC have been acquired.
That Amtrak shot at the end of your opener. Is that at the Dunlap-Taylor Rd crossing on the CN Flint Sub, just outside of Port Huron?
This deserves more views.
Great video! Maine had the GT until they dropped it and SLR/SLQ took over. They started building the line in Lewiston maine, but currently it sits unused.
Thank you for doing your history on the grand trunk Western I always like that railroad cuz of their paint scheme I saw grand trunk Western engine once when I went through Idaho I live in Utah it was pretty cool to see I think the next Railroad you should do a history on cuz there's not much is the Northern Pacific railroad
I hope you decide to make more of these. Very well done video.
Do You EJ&E or C&NW pls.
What is the soundtrack at about 06:40? Sounds similar to the Railroad Tycoon 2.
Great history packed in just few minutes.
We have a GTW hertage unit down by stevens point.
you should do Southern Pacific
Western Maryland. Love seeing GT engines in Pontiac and Royal Oak. Thanks for this video.
have you done one for Southern Pacific?
3:47 my grandpa has That picture framed over the living room he thinks he rode behind both when he was little
BNSF8794 no but he watched the steam locomotives go bye with his dad my great grandfather and rode behind steam excursions
What's the music of 4:50? It would be best if you sent a link to the exact audio. Also, why is Nixon there? It's supposed to be Johnson!
My man is out here being the bill wuertz of train history 🤣 I love it
0:11 what song is this
Great video! LIRR next?
Excellent very informative video
I cannot watch this video without screaming GRAAANNNNDDDD TRRRUUUNNNNKK anywhere I see a GTW logo
great video
Great job, kid. Very slick, clever, and professional. A-. Only I wish your captions would've been a little slower. Good cg, too.
You should do a video about the Penn Central Railroad. (aka, The Tragic Failroad)
He should do a history video of the Norfolk and Western.
I’m watching this as a celebration for seeing GTW 4910 just now.
BEST HISTORY VIDEO EVER!
You should do another one of these!
Do a history video of Milwaukee road and Wisconsin Central railroad
Not around as much as it used to be, But will always be one of my favorites
Can you try and make a video about Coe Rail? 6:35
Check out the history of the Chicago and Northwestern. A rise from the shores along Lake Michigan across the Midwest to the UP buy-out in the 90s. Just an idea. Plus they had some trains picked up by Amtrak like the Hiawatha....
Do the white pass & Yukon railroad
5:47 Insert My Heart Will Go On.
very nice
hope ya do the PRR it was its bday this year anyway
I Personally Railfan the CN Flint Sub so this was pretty interesting to watch.
Would you do a remake of this piece i gold?
Nice video, subscribed
Great vid maybe do an ATSF (Santa Fe) sometime
6:08 GTW 5629 😢 Makes me tear up whenever I see or someone mentions it.
Bastard & Ohio why
I agree 😢😢
southern pacific!
0:23 Super Mario World Atlantic theme
I remember these engines and line! Good times~
Grew up next to the Grand Trunk main line.
"Top hat being a ferry" ferry but a tugboat excursion on theodore too
You "borrowed" several images from one or more of my web sites. At 3:49, three engines at Battle Creek, 1953; at 3:57, diesel 7904 at Durand, 1953; at 4:01, 4-6-2 5634 at Durand, 1953 -- all of which I personally took on size 116 film at 1/60 second. Also, at 3:46, three engines at Durand which were given me by Jerry Tyler. I am always glad to share my photos but like to receive acknowledgement.
Oh I greatly do apologize! These days, I always provide credit where credit is due if I use other people's content in the form of a text overlay on the video when someone's content appears, in the credits at the end, and or in the video description. When I made this video in 2016, I was pretty ignorant to assume people just knew where these images came from, or I simply forgot to credit people (which is a dumb mistake I know see). In no way did I attempt or have intentions to claim I owned the content used in this video. Just a mistake of me not crediting anyone having forgotten to do so. I have since added a credits list in the description including your respective credits. Thank you for letting me know.
Thanks for your response. I am glad some of my images were of use to you.
Whew! That was fun.
1:43 - "Michigan, Ontario (QUÉBEC), New Bruswick, as well as Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire"
What is the name of the song you use for your opening? It sounds like something by Duke Ellington but I don't recognize it.
1:46 what is the song used? i can never find the name
@Max Stewart hmmm the begining sounds the same but the rest doesnt...
@Max Stewart 0.0 i actually found it
SCOTT JOPLIN . " The Entertainer "
0:12 What’s the song name?
Come Dance With Me By Frank Sinatra
My uncle has told me stories of him working In Pontiac for GTW
Whatever happened to the third railroad the central Vermont Railway just a little curious how it went out of business
Wait, you like TUGS, Awesome!
Coe Rail disappeared around 2015, and the tracks were pulled up.
We were fortune to get ownership of 4070 for special services until the 90s on the CVSR. Currently shes still under restoration sadly in the roundhouse.
Hey! What's up with 4070? She's been under restoration since God made dirt and I'm tired of looking at old 8mm videos of her, (aw...poor me huh?). I can't help but think that she seems close to completion, but even with her "re-build"... those "newly" installed parts are getting a little old. 'Kind of reminds me of Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bee holding periodic bake sales to raise funds, (no offense intended), but where are all the people standing track side, (back in the day), who relished this beautiful locomotive? Jeez!, where's Bill Gates, and other ga-zillionaires when you need 'em?
I had no idea GT was still considered a Class 1. How does that even work? Anyways, nice video Jared!
Michigan Rail Productions Apparently it’s like what happened with Conrail. It’s still considered a railway but with nothing under its ownership. Essentially, they just take the locomotives, stock, etc., I guess.
Ok I know this was a year ago but
*YOU KNOW THE SONG, BASIE TWO STEP!!?!?!?*
Also could you do the CNW?
GreenFrogVideos uses that same song at @4:17 mark
Do the Santa Fe In 9 minutes
Not entirely correct.
The part about other railroads avoiding Michigan because of swamp is incorrect.
The State of Michigan was very proggressive in chartering and construction of railroads starting in the 1830s. Timber and railroad car manufacturing were major commodities for Michigan in the 1800s. Both hauled by trains.
After Vandebilt, owner of the New York Central, bought the Michigan Central he stopped Grand Trunk from using MC's tracks. So, GTR in the 1870s, before the tunnel was built, had to piece together its own mainline from Pt Huron to Flint to Lansing to Chicago by buying seperate railroads that ran between these cities.
The Dequindre Cut was not at all part of the Michigan Air Line. The Dequindre Cut was originally part of the northwest-southeast running Detroit and Pontiac Railroad. Which became the Detroit and Milwaukee, which became the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee under Great Western Railway ownership which was bought by Grand Trunk Railway.
The Michigan Air Line ran from predominately from the northeast to southwest from St. Clair to Richmond to Pontiac to Jackson.
You should do the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad or the New Haven RR
What happened to the underwater tunnel?
I wish we would watch things like this in history class
Can you do more videos on topics like this ?
Nice vid but when are u posting the next Marysville railroad stories video
Do one on the NYC(New York Central)it’s my second favorite railroad
What's the music in the background
Do the Milwaukee Road :3
Try the western maryland railroad
Chicago and Northwestern! 🚂
Could you do the Boston and Maine?
please do a history video on penn central
What’s your intro song?