Train stations along the trails

You can still find train stations along the rail trails.  Most of these are closed, a few have been re-purposed.

Capac, Michigan

 This  station now is used for the local history museum.  I have seen this in several stations that I passed. This was during the Peach of a Ride. This event occurred each September and offered three different distances.  Sad to say that the organizers aged out and this event has gone to the land of pleasant memories.

Beverly Shore, IN

This is along the South Shore Line which runs between Chicago and South Bend, IN. This is an active stop and is open to the public.  The trail goes along the tracks. This station has a southwestern US look to me.  Near by, along the Lake Michigan shoreline, are houses from the Chicago World's Fair in the 30s showing "homes of the future."  After the fair they were transported across the lake on barges.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Gandy Dancer is a wonderful restaurant that you will find inside.  The term "Gandy Dancer" is  a slang term for railroad maintenance workers. Look up the term on your favorite search site to learn more.  The stone facade is unique.

The buffet is great and we also enjoy the happy hour food deals.

The modern Amtrak station next door is not as photo worthy.  These stations connect to the Border to Border Trail which runs across Washtenaw County.

Along the Betsie Valley trail near Frankfort, MI

On the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

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This trail runs between Grand Rapids and Cadillac. I am looking forward to riding this trail again. 

Pinckney, MI

This trailhead is a good place to start my rides.  Some days I head east and other days I go west along the Mike Lavine Lakelands Trail State Park.  This trail runs between Jackson and Hamburg. I have never seen the inside, but at least it is being maintained.

You pass this station as you connect along the Border to Border trail.  The Amtrak line going to Chicago travels this track.

After Dexter is the station in Chelsea.

Just west of the station is the Jiffy Mix plant.

Riverdale, MI

This station is a long the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail halfway between Alma and Edmore.

Belding, MI

Along the Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail between Greenville and Lowell.

Smyrna, MI

The next stop south of Belding.  It looks worth fixing up.  I hope they find funding.

Saranac along the Grand River Valley Rail Trail

The curved end is unique.

The Detroit Michigan Central Station

This photo shows the new windows, but the renovation had not begun.  The Tour de Troit used the park in front as the staging area and welcome back center. This building has been completely refurbished and now you may go inside.

Along the North Central State Trail

Mullet Lake is in the background.  Next stop south is Indian River.

Big Rapids along the White Pine Trail State Park

This station was completed boarded up.  It had a business sign outside, but obviously closed now.  This is another station deserves to be preserved.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

This last station was the most impressive because it had a wonderful two story train museum and a new addition recently doubled the size.  On the far end of the station was a brew pub and restaurant.  The train yard in the back continues to be a major hub of the western lines.