Leelanau Scenic Railroad

    by Garry Rosam

    May 2003

    "These switchers now sit idle in Traverse City, Mi. on a TSBY siding in a yard seldom used anymore.
    The Manistee and North Eastern was an old railroad, established in the late 1800's to bring timber in
    to Manistee from, what else, the north and east to the 19 mills in that city. It thrived during the early
    1900's and was still around as late as 1940 but not sure of when it ended. The Leelanau Scenic Railroad,
    which bought these switchers, ran for a short time in the late 1990's north from Traverse City into
    Leelanau county but has since fallen to the rails to trails era. As you can see the two switchers have
    sadly fallen to chipped paint, broken glass and graffitti but are still a good reminder of the heyday in
    which they served. Not sure if they'll ever leave their current births, but for me I hope not, as often
    I ride by them just to remember some of the best days of railroading."

    M&NE #3
    Manistee and North Eastern #3
    NW2 - built 05/1948, bn 5556, for the M&NE

    M&NE #4
    LSRR #4
    SW9 - ex C&O 5258

    All photos were generously submitted by Garry Rosam

    For information on having photos hosted by the yardlimit see
    the Photo Gallery information section in the yard office.