Home of the Hogsback and Southern Railroad
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Lansing Model Railroad Club
Home of the Hogsback and Southern Railroad
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Michigan Avenue (MA) Tower Preservation Project
Working to save an important piece of railroad history, the Lansing Model Railrod Club is in the process of restoring the former Michigan Avenue interlocking tower to be used as an operating museum display. The club envisions trains running on the model railroad layout in the neighboring Millett Depot to be dispatched from the tower. In addition, actual way-side train signal exhibits also will be controlled from the tower.
Once located on Michigan Avenue next to Lansing Union Station (the late, lamented Clara's Restaurant), MA Tower controlled the junction between the Michigan Central and the Pere Marquette railroads. The crossing gates on Michigan Avenue were manually controlled from the tower before automation. In 1986, Conrail retired the tower when electronic remote control (known as Centralized Traffic Control or CTC) was extended to the Lansing area. It was moved to Lansing's Old Town that same year by a now defunct electric railway museum.
After sitting vacant in Old Town for almost 30 years, LMRC President Michael Frezell noticed the tower was being neglected and got the idea of moving it to the club's property. He thought the club would be in a better position to restore it and interpret the important history. Very few of these towers have been preserved across the United States and this is the only remaining one in the Lansing area. So on Sept. 23, 2016, MA Tower was carefully moved to the LMRC thanks to help from generous volunteers.
Work is needed to restore this unique two-story structure. Please consider making a donation to help us complete the following tasks:
Replace rotted siding - New siding is installed and painted.
Replace the windows - new windows have been installed
Install steps to the second floor - completed
Install insulation - completed
Renovate the interior - completed
Restore interior desks and other artifacts - in progress
Install utilities, communications, and other equipment - electrical power completed, other work in progress
Erect railroad way-side signals - completed
Activate railroad way-side signals - in progress
Early 1900s (we think 1902) - MA Tower built by the Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) on Lansing's Michigan Avenue
1986 - MCRR sucessor Conrail retires tower
December 1986 - Lansing-North Lansing Electric Railway Museum moves tower to Old Town.
Early 1990s - Lansing-North Lansing Electric Railway Museum disolves
Spring 2014 - LMRC President Michael Frezell conceived the idea of the club acquiring MA Tower
September 2014 - LMRC President Frezell contacts the city of Lansing to determine building ownership
April 2015 - LMRC members hold a town hall meeting to approve the acquisition
May 2015 - LMRC writes a letter to the mayor's office asking for the tower
October 2015 - City of Lansing offers to donate the tower to the club
December 2015 - CMTE 1 offers to move the tower for us
April 2016 - SC Environmental dontates Transite siding abatement
September 20, 2016 - MA Tower moved from Old Town to Hi-Ball Crane's property in North Lansing. LMRC members replace rotted sill plate
September 23, 2016 - MA Tower moved to the club property
October 18, 2016 - The Tower received a new roof and refurbished lower door. Design of a steel staircase initiated.
November 2017 - Tower wrapped in waterproof fabric to protect it from the weather for the winter
March 2017 - Prelininary design completed on stairs to upper level
April 2017 - The tower was unwrapped from it's winter cacoon and inspected. It was determined that the windows and most of the siding were too far gone.
May 2017 - New windows and siding were ordered. Fabrication of steel stairs completed. Interior fixtures were removed for restoration.
June 2017 - Windows and siding arrived. The old siding was removed and the new siding was primed. Two windows on the lower level were installed.
July 2017 - All windows have been installed and electrical power has been run to the tower.
August 2017 - New siding is being installed!
September 2017 - New siding completed and painted. Windows trim installed and corner trim in progress. Stairs and platform to second floor installed.
January 2018 - New custom made door for upper level delivered.
Spring and Summer 2018 - New door installed and evaluation of the interior begins. Final bits of exterior trim are being installed.
Summer 2019 - Electrical installation completed including heat in the upstairs and new floor and walls upstairs
Summer 2022 - Interior trim, work surfaces, and window shades completed
LMRC would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their help in making this project happen:
City of Lansing
Mayor's office
Parks and Recreation Department
Parking Services
MA Tower move:
CMTE 1 crew of St. Johns
Hi-Ball Crane Co. of Laingsburg
Site prep:
Jeff's Bobcat Service of Battle Creek
F. D. Hayes Electric
Siding abatement:
SC Environmental
Architectural drawings and other services:
Roland Bunting
LMRC would also like to thank all of the individuals who made monetary contributions to the project.
Watch our facebook page for more info.