Possible New Life for Michigan Central Station? Ford Motor Co. a Buyer? YES!

[MicrosoftFan]

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

[Atticus]

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

Just playing along, but hey why not...

IF trains ever did return to MCS, I like the idea about how Amtrak and VIA trains could both serve the station. However I don't like the idea of connecting the Amtrak tracks to the VIA tracks. Simply put, I don't want the same train to go from Chicago to Toronto. I want passengers to have to get off one train and connect to another in Detroit.

Yes, I know this connection is slightly annoying and less efficient... but it would be good for Detroit. And even if the only economic benefit is some connecting passengers buying a pop or candy bar, it is still money coming to the city that other wise isn't.

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

[drjeff]

Just playing along, but hey why not...

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

Closer to home, US-23 doesn't connect to the Ohio Turnpike for no apparent reason. I'm sure that also benefits the gas stations and restaurants in that stretch.

[mtburb]

Closer to home, US-23 doesn't connect to the Ohio Turnpike for no apparent reason. I'm sure that also benefits the gas stations and restaurants in that stretch.

And for many years, right up until 1991, I-75, didn't connect to the Turnpike either. I wonder how the economy of that immediate area has been since that connection has been in place.

[Hermod]

Just playing along, but hey why not...

IF trains ever did return to MCS, I like the idea about how Amtrak and VIA trains could both serve the station. However I don't like the idea of connecting the Amtrak tracks to the VIA tracks. Simply put, I don't want the same train to go from Chicago to Toronto. I want passengers to have to get off one train and connect to another in Detroit.

Yes, I know this connection is slightly annoying and less efficient... but it would be good for Detroit. And even if the only economic benefit is some connecting passengers buying a pop or candy bar, it is still money coming to the city that other wise isn't.

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

Back in the 19th century, the French government was building rail lines. One of the deputies was proposing a break in the line at a major city in his district because of the economic benefits that it would bring. One of the deputies facetiously demolished his proposal by saying that there should be a break at every town and city along the line because of the economic benefits to the whole region and that the railroad should be built in a series of breaks.

[night-timer]

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

Seeing as I don't have much knowledge of the workings of the MCS building when it was a functioning railway station, why did trains stop in the first place?

Was it lack of demand or traffic at the time, and, if so, why is Maroun putting them back in?

There has been little by way of announcements regarding the future uses of the MCS building, but I doubt that it is earmarked to just become another train station again.

If it becomes a hotel/casino, apartments with ground floor retail, etc, the train station might be a noise issue for residents and guests.

[Atticus]

Seeing as I don't have much knowledge of the workings of the MCS building when it was a functioning railway station, why did trains stop in the first place?

Was it lack of demand or traffic at the time, and, if so, why is Maroun putting them back in?

There has been little by way of announcements regarding the future uses of the MCS building, but I doubt that it is earmarked to just become another train station again.

If it becomes a hotel/casino, apartments with ground floor retail, etc, the train station might be a noise issue for residents and guests.

Basically, there is a junction in the rail line Amtrak uses just north of Mexicantown. Coming in on the rail line from Chicago & Ann Arbor, when you come to that Mexicantown junction you have two choices: Go right and go to MCS and then Canada, or go left and go to New Center and then Oakland County. so it becomes an either/or. Either serve MCS, or serve Oakland County.

Thus in the 80s the decision was made to switch from serving MCS to serving Oakland County. The powers that be believed you would pick up more Amtrak passengers from the Oakland County stations than MCS. Thus the route was switched, MCS closed, and it has remained that way ever since.

[stasu1213]

I would hope that Ford would go ahead and purchase the building from Moroun and just renovate it. I would rather see them purchase a more modern building. The location is idea for others would build around Ford such as restaurants, a good chain grocery store etc. Maybe Chrysler could renovate a building in the North End near Midtown or just purchase the building that sits on the northeast corner of Woodward and Grand blvd

[Danny]

Way to go Ford. They want the piece of the Detroit action.

YAY DUGGAN!!! Can Coleman Young and King Kwame do that?

[rjlj]

This is a great story:

Thief returns train station clock, thanks Ford for believing in Detroit

https://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...ock/710459002/