Battle Creek, MI: CN/GTW Railyards, Backshop, Roundhouse and Yard Office

Nichols Yard: (Satellite, those trees were part of this yard)

Loco Shop: (Satellite, it appears the main building is still standing)

Verona Yard: (Satellite, the foundation for the roundhouse is still visible)

Battle Creek Yard: (Satellite, still has its tracks) According to topo maps, it was built between 1950 and 1961

Tim Starr posted
Here is the interior of the Battle Creek freight car erecting shop at Battle Creek, MI.

 

Terry Gwillim -> Grand Trunk Western Historical Society
Heavy machinery inside the Grand Trunk Railroad shops

Kirk Blasko posted
Continuing to research my picture and I found this.
[The comments indicate this was in 1908. I wonder how long their largest locomotive was at this time. The shop certainly has room to spare for this little 2-6-0.]

While researching the location of the Nichols Tower in my 2005 SPV Map, I discovered that GTW had yards strung along its mainline like beads. The 1961 topo map shows all three yards.

1961 Battle Creek Quadrangle @ 1:24,000

Tim Start posted
Artist rendering of the new Grand Trunk locomotive shops at Battle Creek MI in 1907. (Railway Master Mechanic)

A closeup of the remnants of the roundhouse foundation. Note the pits that have been filled in.

Satellite

The yard tower is still standing.

Satellite

Charles Geletzke Jr. shared his post
Not often photographed, this was the GTW's East Tower at Battle Creek, Michigan as seen on June 7, 1997. That was the train I was working...Train 456 with the GTW 5822-6217-4900 with only 7 loads and 70 empties and 3845 gross tons. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)
Brian A Morgan: This was the former Division point of the South Bend / Elsdon Sub-Divisions.
Charles Geletzke Jr. shared

Tim Shanahan posted two photos with the comment: "CN yard office Battle Creek Michigan @2019."

1

2

The north end of the buildings in what was the loco shop area. It is always interesting to still see a large smokestack standing. The white building in the background is the Kellog's plant.

Street View

Note the building in the backgroundof this photo.

Charles Geletzke Jr. posted
Caught the GTW 7264 at the GTW Battle Creek, Michigan Locomotive Shops on March 19, 1976. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)
Charles Geletzke Jr. shared

Charles Geletzke Jr. posted
GTW Battle Creek, Michigan Locomotive Shops as seen on November 16, 1995. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)
Charles Geletzke Jr. shared
Brian A Morgan: Division point of the Elsdon and South Bend Subdivisions. Crews from Elsdon would terminate their tricks at Battle Creek while crews of the Flint Subdivision would take over from the Elsdon/South Bend crews to take the consist to Port Huron.
Dennis DeBruler shared

Bob Finan commented on Brian's comment
GTW Divisional breakdown.