Location: South Yard, Detroit, MI (MC)

South Yard was a Michigan Central railroad yard on their Detroit-Toledo branch, just south of West Detroit. The West Detroit freight house and team tracks were located just northeast of this yard along the wye to the eastbound main line. This yard had a 145 yard capacity. It was referred to as being at Waterman Avenue.

It appears that the New York Central (Lake Shore line) also had a yard of this name along their main line between Toledo and Milwaukee Junction, at the same location. [MCTC-1950]

Notes

Time Line

1889. October 13. Nathan Palmer, engineer, and Charles Pierce, fireman on MC locomotive No. 304, were killed in the south yards of the company yesterday. The engine was switching and started to back down for water. It had been given the wrong track and collided with coal, throwing the tender up almost on to the engineer and fireman and damaging the machinery in such a manner as to cause the escape of steam in large quantities, scalding both in a frightful manner.

The engineer jumped and fell to the ground. An ambulance carried him to the hospital where he died. After the jump the engine "ran away" and was found later when it came to a standstill a mile and a half out on the track. The fireman was found sitting in his seat partially pinned down and lifeless. The hot steam had done its work and the poor fellow's scalded face and hands showed only too plainly how he must have  summered. [GRP-1889-1014]