Niles, MI: Amtrak/Michigan Central Depot, Railyards and Roundhouse

Depot: (3D Satellite)

Railyard: (Satellite, the railyard is abandoned, but the city limits sill go around it.)

Roundhouse: (Satellite)

Michigan Central is like Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central in that the purpose of the railroad was not to connect towns, but to make towns. Today's freight railroads don't want the MC route because they want the more direct routes. But Amtrak passenger service needs this route because many of the towns in Michigan are along this route since they were created by this route. So Amtrak bought this route. (The Santa Fe route across Kansas and Colorado has the same problem --- BNSF no longer uses it because a more direct route was built. But evidently Amtrak can't afford to buy and maintain that route.)

Street View, Oct 2012

Mark Hinsdale posted
Niles (Michigan Central / New York Central
Mark Hinsdale shared

 

Mark G Tyler posted
Niles, Michigan train station in winter. This historic station has been in several major movie films.
Nick Kozlik shared

 

Michael Ponsetto commented on Nick's share

 

Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum posted two photos with the comment:

The Niles Depot was a popular destination for movie shoots, even before Michigan’s film incentive came along. Three movies had scenes shot at the station: 1981’s “Continental Divide” starring John Belushi, 1988’s “Midnight Run” starring Robert DeNiro, and 1991’s “Only the Lonely” starring John Candy. 

For “Only the Lonely,” the station was decorated for Christmas scenes, prompting an annual holiday tradition for Niles to be made. 

Sources: 

Demster, Chas. “Only The Lonely.” It’s Filmed There. https://www.itsfilmedthere.com/2010/01/only-lonely.html. Accessed 13 August 2024. 

Unknown Author. “Niles, MI (NLS).” The Great American Stations. https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/niles-mi-nls/. Accessed 13 August 2024. 

Photos: https://www.itsfilmedthere.com/2010/01/only-lonely.html.

Jim Kelling shared
Michigan Central station in Niles Michigan (1892)

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Jason Nicodemus, Sep 2017

It looks like it had a large wooden coaling tower and small backshop in addition to a 180-degree roundhouse.

Rick shilling posted
1946 Michigan Central Railroad Roundhouse, Turntable, Shops and Yard Niles, Michigan.

1947 Cassopolis Quad @ 62,500

While looking for the depot, I discovered that Amtrak has a maintenance facility in this town.

3D Satellite

Daniel C Carroll Jr. posted
Justin Gillespie: Niles, MI