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Nostalgia & History > Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 publishedDate: 08/02/15 10:25 Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 published Author: Press25 The Port Huron and Detroit was a family-owned all-Alco short line in east-central Michigan that made its last run on December 13, 1984. We didn’t have Trainorders, smartphones or the internet back then, so it passed quietly.
I made several trips from my home in Pittsburgh, PA to Port Huron over a 30 month period, juggling work and night school with a growing urgency to document the line once the end became known. During that time, it wasn’t uncommon for the exposed Kodachrome to spend some time in the freezer until I could afford to get it processed. It took another 30 years for me to get a 5000dpi scanner and get to work on a book. Which brings us to today. The Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Historical Society repatriated the railroad’s office building from CSX, and they’re in the process of restoring it and creating museum and archive space. They’ve reacquired one of the line’s cabooses, and it’s on display outside of the office building. They’ve reacquired S-1 #52 and are raising funds to help get her home from KLW in Kentucky. They’re working on getting the roundhouse back as well. There’s a lot happening in Port Huron! Which brings us to the book. The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad and Connections in Color 1982-1984 is 127 color photos primarily of the PH&D, and (in descending order) GTW, Chessie System (former C&O, nee Pere Marquette) and CN operations in Port Huron and points south along the PH&D. At first, this was envisioned as a hardcover book on high quality glossy paper. Then, reality took hold in the form of pricing for a small print run. Reality hit again when print on demand options were explored. Let’s just say that I doubt that I’d have bought the book at those prices. So, on went the hunt for an option to be able to tell the story at a price everyone could afford. Reality’s journey ended up with a softcover book with a glossy cover and trade paper for the book’s interior. What was compromised in tonal range and photo reproduction was gained in the realities that the final product was in reach of most everyone, the story could now be shared, and there is an opportunity to help the Society with its fundraising efforts. The Society is selling the book at its’ various events and gatherings in Port Huron throughout the year, so you can purchase the book directly from them if you’re there in person. If you can’t get to Port Huron, the book is available through my website www.laughingfrogimages.com. Each book sold though Laughing Frog Images results in a donation of $5.00 per book to the PH&DRRHS. (The book is also available on Amazon – but by the time they take their cut…) You can check out the PH&DRRHS website at http://phdrailroad.com/. They’ve also got a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Huron-Detroit-Railroad-Historical-Society/271354976270196 Like any small historical society, every bit helps. If you’re not interested in the book, they’re also on the lookout for time, talent and treasure. The companion book is in the works, and my goal is to have it out for the Society’s 2015 Hobofest. It will be The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad and Connections in Black and White 1982-1984. (Remember the days when you shot either or?) Respecting the rules of TO, there won't be a separate post announcing that book - you'll have to follow the PH&DRRHS Facebook page or Laughing Frog for that announcement. Thanks to the Webmaster for allowing this one-time post and plug for the book, and helping out the PH&DRRHS! Date: 08/02/15 16:23 Re: Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 publi Author: mopacrr Seems like the PH&D had a ex C&O Business Car;any idea what happened to it?
Date: 08/02/15 16:48 Re: Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 publi Author: Press25 The Castleblayney was in a museum in Florida and apparently suffered storm and water damage. The PH&DRRHS was working to get the car back "home." There were some other complications to the reacquisition, and sadly, the Castleblayney was cut up in 2011.
Pictures and more information here. Every time I saw the car in Port Huron, she was sitting in a less than favorable spot for daytime photography, so my best images of her are night shots using (what else?) Press 25's. You can click here and scroll through the images to see her against a cobalt sky. Date: 08/02/15 18:03 Re: Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 publi Author: mopacrr Press25 Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > The Castleblayney was in a museum in Florida and > apparently suffered storm and water damage. The > PH&DRRHS was working to get the car back "home." > There were some other complications to the > reacquisition, and sadly, the Castleblayney was > cut up in 2011. > > Pictures and more information here. > > Every time I saw the car in Port Huron, she was > sitting in a less than favorable spot for daytime > photography, so my best images of her are night > shots using (what else?) Press 25's. You can > click here and scroll through the images to see > her against a cobalt sky. >The first picture I came across of Castleblaney was on p.49 of Robert Wayner's Pullman and Private Car Pictorial. According the Wayner the car was named after President George Duffy's Irish birthplace. It had previously been C&O 23. Sorry to hear about its demise;it was a nice looking car. Date: 08/02/15 22:22 Re: Port Huron & Detroit and Connections in Color 1982-1984 publi Author: dcmkris I will deffinetly be picking up one of the books. While I have not had the free time to go help with the society events or even stop by to see progress on an off day,
I appreciate your help trying to raise funds, being a member of the Historical Society myself. The PH&D was a very cool albeit small railroad. Kris |