Plymouth Railroads by Elizabeth Kelly Karstens and Ellen Elliott (review)

Those who live near Plymouth's railroad diamond (track crossing) know the sounds, sights, and grade crossing interruptions of Plymouth's railroad activity. Plymouth's railroad scene has changed over the years, but it is still lively. Passenger trains have been gone since 1971, automotive traffic is significantly decreased because of Ford and GM assembly and parts plant closures, and run-through SOO Line freights no longer use the CSX east-west route across Michigan.

Still, CSX Transportation intermodal double-stack trains seem to abound, delaying motorists especially on Starkweather and Main Streets. Transport of grain, chemicals, steel, and coal is seen and heard in the middle of otherwise quiet nights. Plymouth's railroad presence has been, and still is, strong.

Plymouth Railroads is a thorough examination of Plymouth's railroad history from the first track in 1871 to today. As with all Arcadia Publishing books, this volume is mostly photographs, with well-chosen images of all eras depicting both railroad activity and its impact on the Plymouth community. Lengthy captions accurately explain both the railroad aspects of the images and their local significance. Individuals are identified when known. Information provided will inform and please both rail aficionados and local historians. Maps, both local and further afield, help explain geographic relationships. Visitors who arrived at Plymouth by train included US presidents and various entertainers—these interesting travelers are given a chapter.

The presentation is chronological with nine chapters. A page of text begins each chapter before the extensive captions take over. The various railroad companies over the years—principally Pere Marquette, Chesapeake & Ohio, and CSX—are enumerated. Facilities, including the roundhouses, stations, and yards, get their due as do customers, passenger trains, and train wrecks. The relationship of the railroad to businesses in Plymouth is described, particularly hotels and restaurants that catered to early travelers, and firms that shipped manufactured goods and farm products by rail.

This reviewer wishes train schedules had been reproduced to show the frequency and destinations of trains in the passenger heyday. At various times and seasons, passengers could board at Plymouth for Columbus, OH, the New River Gorge in West Virginia, Richmond and Newport News, VA, plus Detroit, Petoskey, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Pullman cars were available on some trains; Plymouth was a decidedly mainline location.

Interurban lines (electric intercity services) that connected Plymouth with Northville, Wayne, and beyond from 1899 to 1927 are accorded a chapter. The trolley-type route through downtown Plymouth is a revelation, with especially good local photos.

The Plymouth Historical Museum proudly displays a restored CSX caboose on a short track south of its building. Plymouth Railroads concludes with a chapter depicting the process of acquiring, refurbishing, and installing this iconic piece of historic railroad equipment.

This Arcadia "Images of Rail" book is well researched and written, providing valuable insight into Plymouth history and a fresh look at a piece of southeastern Michigan railroad history.