The is a significant rewrite because the original Aug 2018 version was wrong because the 2005 SPV Map labelled the Forest Lawn Junction as Belt Line Junction. Peter explains that the Belt Junction was much closer to the Milwaukee Junction.
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| Peter Dudley shared Belt Line Junction is located on Detroit's east side, just north of the Dodge Main site (today's GM / Cadillac Assembly "Poletown" plant). The Michigan Central / New York Central Detroit Belt Line diverged from the M.C.R.R. / NYC Bay City Division, and crossed the parallel Grand Trunk tracks here. The tower is long-gone. The Belt Line once extended all the way to Detroit's east riverfront, connecting with Detroit Transit Railroad (another M.C.R.R. / NYC line). Today, the line ends just north of Gratiot Avenue (where a M.C.R.R. freight station once stood). It served many factories, including Packard Motor Car Company's plant (1906-1956). Nhat Quan V. Do What intersection was this tower closest to? Peter Dudley The tower must have been located east of St. Aubin (within shouting distance of Milwaukee Junction), and west of Joseph Campau. The area has changed, as a result of Poletown plant construction (Hamtramck Drive is new -- the Belt Line no longer directly connects with the North Yard Branch at the former - tower site). http://www.michiganrailroads.com/.../2149-belt-line... For some unexplained reason, these "Belt Line Jct." tower photographs don't match. Did a brick tower replace the frame tower, at some point? Nhat Quan V. Do Is it (apprx.) here? https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD-o... |
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| Peter Dudley commented on his share The attached Google street view looks east from the "intersection" of St. Aubin Street and Clay Avenue -- Belt Line Junction Tower would have been visible from here (Google coordinates 42.381237, -83.055914). The track crossing over Hamtramck Drive on the CN overpass (visible in the distance) no longer connects with ANY of the High Line tracks (foreground). |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on Peter's share While checking out the location of this junction, I discovered another roundhouse. Was this GTW? 1940 Highland Park Quadrangle @ 1:24,000 |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on Peter's share You can still see part of the foundation of the west wall. And I think the big green glob is in the turntable pit. https://www.google.com/.../@42.3787593,-83.../data=!3m1!1e3 |
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Peter Dudley commented on Dennis' comment That was Milwaukee Junction Roundhouse -- the entire footprint of this structure is almost-traceable in current Google satellite views. The labels in the attached Google satellite view were applied by yours truly (Peter Dudley). The "Milwaukee Junction Depot" label refers to the depot's original location, which may have been built when Grand Trunk Railway of Canada (GTR) acquired Great Western Railway of Canada (GWR) in 1882. Later, the depot was re-located farther south, along the Holly Subdivision's west edge. GTR's original Detroit-area "Engine House" was completed c. 1859, north of "Grand Trunk Junction" (re-named West Detroit in 1887) -- the approximate Google coordinates are 42.329524,-83.104776. This rectangular structure included an enclosed turntable. I'm still looking for information about the roundhouse and depot at Milwaukee Junction, and the "Grand Trunk Passenger Station" (1859 - 1907?) at West Detroit. |
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