Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Photo Du Jour - April 12th « Previous Next »
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5458
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.196.197
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:17 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What a difference in only five years. P.D.J.
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Machoken
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Username: Machoken

Post Number: 1198
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 207.145.38.104
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 9:25 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Very interesting to see how things have changed in only 5 years. This reminds me of my Detroit Then and Now book - the 'Now' pics are mostly out of date.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3603
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 12:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Andrew. You've been lurking around Detroit now for awhile.

jjaba.
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 447
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Making me all the more disappointed that I won't be getting back to Detroit this year -- first missed trip in 20 years. And last year I didn't get downtown at all (though I did hit the old neighborhoods).

Andrew, could you make a mental note that if you ever pass by the site of the railroad tunnel on the Windsor side to click off a shot? I've seen the Detroit side many a time, but have never seen the other end.
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56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 194
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.105
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

sure don't miss the Washington Blvd. 70's hangover mess. glad it's gone, sorry they waisted the money in the first place.
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Hardhat
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Username: Hardhat

Post Number: 119
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.148.30.181
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nicely done, Andrew.
I always walked under the Book-Cadillac overhang with a little quicker-than-normal pace...
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5459
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.216.150.127
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray, no problem, I've been trying to figure out how to get a shot of that for a few years. The bridge over the tracks closest to the entrance is in very bad shape (almost near the point of collapse) as a result there are lane restrictions and cement barriers near the edges and lots of extra chain link fencing. I will see what I can do for you.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3608
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don't risk your life for it for crissakes.
Ray1936 is a nice guy but comeon............

jjaba.
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Hardhat
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Username: Hardhat

Post Number: 120
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.148.30.181
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I can't believe I have a shot of Windsor that Andrew doesn't have. In my line of work, I was given a ride thru the tunnell on a rail-mounted pickup truck from Detroit to Windsor about three years ago. That was when there was talk of converting the rail tunnel to into a lane each for truck traffic, and then building a new single-track rail tunnel tall enough for today's double-stacked container trains.
As I recall, when we got out to walk around, it was in a very secluded area.
Enjoy, Ray.
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5460
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.216.150.127
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

:-)
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Hardhat
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Username: Hardhat

Post Number: 121
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.148.30.181
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A train goes thru the Detroit side...
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Hardhat
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Username: Hardhat

Post Number: 122
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.148.30.181
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Finally, inside the Detroit-Windsor rail tunnel. Is that a light at the end of the tunnel or a train? Thankfully, it was the light of day. It was quite damp and cool down there.
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Hardhat
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Username: Hardhat

Post Number: 123
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.148.30.181
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry about jacking the thread, Andrew.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 352
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.176.190
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

where is that tunnel located?
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 448
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 3:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow...thanks, Hardhat....great photos! Not surprisingly, both ends look pretty much alike; little more greenery on the Windsor side. Not a bad engineering project to have been done very early in the 20th century.
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Upinottawa
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Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 295
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 198.103.184.76
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 6:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If Metro Detroit ever developed a decent transit system, it would not be hard to imagine a LRT line between Windsor and Detroit running through those tunnels (after, of course, a new train tunnel is constructed).
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 451
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 6:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

During the forties, my family used to travel by train (New York Central) from the MC depot to Schenectady, NY. I am near certain the route was through Ontario. If it was, I travelled through that tunnel at least a half dozen times. Can anyone confirm that the NYC RR used that route?

Uh...Andy...apologies for the hijack....

(Message edited by Ray1936 on April 12, 2006)
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3609
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 7:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Confirmed Ray1936. You used that tunnel.

jjaba.
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1600
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

If Metro Detroit ever developed a decent transit system, it would not be hard to imagine a LRT line between Windsor and Detroit running through those tunnels (after, of course, a new train tunnel is constructed).



Great idea, but I think it is more likely that some sort of commuter rail system might use it w/o the need of a new tunnel, since the trains can share tracks with freight.
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Broken_main
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Username: Broken_main

Post Number: 1051
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.222.11.226
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That tunnel can be seen from Bagley and 17th. It runs behind the MC Depot before it goes through the tunnel.
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Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5462
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.65.200
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 9:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not only did you use the tunnel, your train stopped here
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Broken_main
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Username: Broken_main

Post Number: 1052
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.222.11.226
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 9:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jjaba

By the way...Thanks so much for the wondeful gift!! Believe it or not I truly needed those postcards for my house decorating. You are surely in a class all by yourself. Oh yeah...and don't think I didn't notice the water conservation stamp on the envelope. Classic!!!

Thanks!!!!
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Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 452
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 10:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey, 1943! I might have just missed being in that picture!

It seems I vaguely recall people being checked for nationality, and Mom trying to explain it to me. Boy, that was a long time ago. And I imagine right at that spot. Thanks, Aiw, again.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3612
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 10:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the props Broken Main. jjaba rewards devotion to the Forum. But thank you. Detroit has the world's best water! The stamps were a lagniappe with you in mind.

Ray1936 has just learned that when you hit Windsor, now or before, you arrived in Andrewville. The cat knows everything. After you cleared Customs and went to the bathroom, it's now time for you to open the bag of toys mom and Little Ray packed up. In 45 minutes, you'll be able to pour tea with a scone in the tea room car.
Lots of excitement down the line.

jjaba.
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Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 453
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 11:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The train rides were something special. At MC depot, you walked down a long ramp to where the stairs were that went up to the various tracks. You looked for your track number and went up that stairwell, and there were the gleaming, stainless steel passenger cars awaiting you. The sound of the steam hissing and the faint smell of the coal burning in the locomotive became seared on my mind.

I don't recall having to be entertained with any toys; the view out the windows captivated me as the scenery went by. Passing a grade crossing, the doppler effect on the passing railroad crossing warning bells was noticable. The trip to the dining car was another special event, because in those days we never went to a restaurant. Being served was a unique happening in those times.

Then there was always seeing grandma and grandpa in Schnectady. They were special people. I didn't know then that grandma was a Mayflower descendant, and I don't really think she knew, either. I'm not really in any hurry to get to where she is now, but when I do, I can't wait to tell her............
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Upinottawa
Member
Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 296
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 198.103.184.76
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 10:54 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jsmeyers, I believe the plan is to build a new tunnel for freight trains that will allow for double stacked containers.

The owners of the tunnel have been lobbying the governments to allow the train tunnel to become an international truck shipping tunnel. The Governments of Canada and Ontario, and the city of Windsor are against this plan.

If the train tunnel is not converted into a highway and it becomes redundant (due to the building of a new tunnel), I am not sure what the plans will be for the current train tunnel.
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Pdtpuck
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Username: Pdtpuck

Post Number: 10
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 208.251.168.194
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 5:00 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I work for the railroad, and I always find it curious when people say "double stack." Wouldn't that make FOUR containers on top of one another? I just say "stack" train & be done with it!
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Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3654
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 5:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

pdtpuck, welcome to the Forum. For which RR do you work? and your job is?

jjaba.
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Wabashrr1
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Username: Wabashrr1

Post Number: 74
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:32 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1910ish photo of Detroit side of the tunnel

1910ish photo of Detroit side of the tunnel

Colorized postcard, Same era
Colorized postcard, Same era

An example of the electrics that ran through the tunnel
An example of the electrics that ran through the tunnel

Photos from LOC.

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