Dave's Depots: Pure Michigan Edition

Work recently took me to what the roadside sign declared "Michigan's West Coast." After arriving at Gerald R. Fort International Airport in Grand Rapids, and appropriately stumbling down the air stairs from my plane, I drove to the Village of Spring Lake. After my work was completed, I stopped by Coopersville, Michigan to view a few interesting sights. Coopersville, historically, was the hometown of Del Shannon, and a stop along the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon interurban. The depot/substation is still in existence, and serves as a local museum.

Next to the depot is the body of Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon interurban car number 8, the "Merlin." The car is a 1902 product of Barney & Smith and was part of the original equipment order for the line. The interurban, like other Michigan lines, was a third rail line, with trolley wire in the towns. The body is in good shape, having had some restoration work performed on it, and sits under cover. It sits on ex-CTA 4000 trucks. These cars had some unusual features, including an open rear platform, giant L2 controllers and only 2 motors. Both motors were located on the rear truck. These cars served the interurban until abandonment in 1928.

Across the street from the interurban station are the tracks of the Coopersville & Marne Railway, a tourist railroad. The railroad rescued the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon depot from nearby Spring Lake and moved it to their site. It sits on a temporary foundation, awaiting a permanent location along the right of way.