Location:  West Detroit Yard, Detroit, MI (GTW)

The Grand Trunk Western's West Detroit yard was located along their main line, just north of West Detroit tower. The railroad interchanged here with the PM, Wabash, DT&I, D&TSL, NYC, PRR and Union Belt, though it was not a large yard. The GTW also had a freight house and team track at this location. [MCTC-1950]

Image info: Top, this is a Sanborn Map drawing of the Grand Trunk locomotive house at Grand Junction Yard in 1897. It is unusual, in that the turntable was inside and the house had two separate entrances from the south and north. Note that the GT had a eight track yard at the time. [SBM-1897]

Notes

The Pere Marquette/Union Belt also had a yard at this location which may be the same yard. According to Union Belt manager records, the yard was operated by the Union Belt in the 1920's.

The D&TSL used the GT turntable at West Detroit (but not the roundhouse). The rent was $2,000 per year and lasted to 1914 when they constructed their own turntable at Dearoad (in 1913). [CGJ]

Time Line

1917: The GTW had a operators here around the clock. [TRT]