I just read about this, so I felt a need to share it. For the first ever time, the NRHS has released a list of what are deemed to be the eight most endangered (in other words, the most at risk to be scrapped, demolished, etc.) U.S Rail related landmarks. They are as follows (in no particular order): ACL Pacific 1504 in Jacksonville, FL L&N E6 770 at the Kentucky Railway Museum NYC "Lion Gardiner" Diner, Kingston, NY Gary, IN Union Station Michigan Central Station, Detroit, MI Duffields Station, Duffields, W. VA Stewartstown RR, York County, PA East Broad Top RR, Orbisonia, PA
The Michigan Central Station in Detroit is in a deplorable condition and it stands huge in the center of a depressing emptiness. I cannot imagine a re-purposing of this edifice that would be beneficial to anyone.
Some work has been done to improve its appearance. Not much work, but some. IIRC, the owner replaced some of the windows on the top floor, and might have done some work to the roof. According to http://talktothestation.com/letters, there's been asbestos abatement work done, and the building has electricity again. I could be wrong, but in the past I remember hearing that tearing down the building would be harder than it sounds as its foundation is somehow tied into the railroad tracks or nearby tunnel, both of which are quite active.
to my knowledge the ebt is done for, been two years without operations and no forseable plans for the future. pretty sad if you ask me.
Well considering they are selling off the iconic fleet of EBT Hoppers, it doesn't look too good, unfortunately.
Well, the newspiece in Railfan didn't say what the sale was for, but it did mention that most of the car bodies were in very poor shape, but all of the wheels and running gear were in not to bad of shape. I would think that they might sell the cars for preservation with only the worst going for scrap. I would think that they would put the money towards trying to restart operations.
However there may be a silver lining. The EBT Preservation Association recently purchased the first segment of the line from the Kovalchicks (the Mount Union section) with the intent to try and restore revenue earning freight service and the tourist train operations.
I am not quite sure, the piece in Trains just said that it included the Mount Union EBT yard area as part of the sale, but it didn't mention any other specific parts. So, I would assume that I did, but don't quote me on that.
