Kalamazoo, MI: Grand Elk (GDLK) Gearhart/NS/MC Botsford Yard

(Satellite)

Street View, Aug 2023

Street View, Aug 2023

Charles Geletzke Jr. posted
The roundhouse service tracks at Conrail's (former NYC--PC) Botsford Yard in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 14, 1977. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)
Charles Geletzke Jr. also posted with the same comment

Dennis DeBruler commented on Charles' post
We can still see remnants of the MC roundhouse: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mjnjmk4XdGT5cow2A.

Charles Geletzke Jr. posted two photos with the comment: "Two views of the Conrail (former MC-NYC-PC) roundhouse and service tracks at Botsford yard in Kalamazoo, Michigan as photographed on November 11, 1977. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photos)"

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The yard hasn't lost any tracks.

1967/69 Kalamazoo Quad @ 24,000

Grand Elk is a WATCO shortline.

WATCO

The "Grand Elk" name makes more sense for the route in the Upper Peninsula.

WATCO

"The railroad leases a 123 miles line from the Norfolk Southern running south from Grand Rapids, Michigan through Kalamazoo, Michigan to Elkhart, Indiana. The main line it leases was a former Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad mainline from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. From Kalamazoo to Elkhart, IN they use a former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern branch. Under Watco carloads have increased on the line. Operations began on March 8, 2009." [RailroadFan]

So they must lease this railyard from Amtrak. Amtrak would have no use for a freight yard.