Ramblings of an old retired guy.

**Ray1936** · September-01-13, 05:58 PM

This graffiti-marked ramp to nowhere really has an interesting story.

It marked the climb to a mile long steel-beamed trestle on east to the old Union Station, which probably had as much railroad traffic as the MCD in its glory days.

West Jefferson, at that time, was covered with the trestle, which looked somewhat like some of the Chicago El's of the '30s. The road itself was brickwork, and dodging the steel support beams could be a challenge.

The foot of 12th street [[now Rosa Parks) was a favorite summer spot for fishermen to drop their minnows and shads into the river in the hopes of nailing something other than a carp or sucker. As they leaned on the railings along the river, the trains 150 feet behind them were the only thing to remind them that they were not out in the boondocks somewhere.

Around 1960, I worked scout 2-1 for the DPD, which was that exact area. Around 3:30 a.m. on the graveyard shift in the summer, we'd head for the foot of 12th with a couple of "coffees-to-go" from the restaurant at Trumbull and Fort. We'd turn the volume up on the radio [[had no portables at that time) and check on the fishermen to see how they were doing. Whether they were black or white was of no difference; they were fishermen, and so were my partners and I. We'd shoot the shit with them, admire their catches, and maybe on a chilly night even go back to Fort and Trumbull and gather up some coffee to pass out to them.

My partners were Bob Aben and Al Blondale, two old guys with 20 years on the job. I was a rookie. They treated me as an equal, and we had a wonderful three years together. They've gone on to their rewards, but I wonder if they still walk the rail at the river and Rosa Parks.

I wonder if I will do the same some day.

**Jimaz** · September-01-13, 06:26 PM

Found it in Google Maps. There are train tracks in the pavement at that location.

**Lowell** · September-01-13, 06:52 PM

I know that spot. I had always wondered why the that ramp ended so abruptly. Lead up to the Union Station I never knew.

Nice story Ray. I can see you down there by the river on a steamy summer night, like we've had lately, with an occasional blast of a ship's horn. You probably got offered a nip by the fishermen too, abstaining of course.

**Eric_c** · September-01-13, 07:05 PM

Excellent story. Here are some moving pictures to go along with the location.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_moh...e_gdata_player

**gazhekwe** · September-01-13, 07:24 PM

Yep, I remember those tracks over W. Jefferson. The chase scene in Detroit 9000 was shot there. Kind of reminded me of the chase scene in the French Connection that went under the overhead railway.

**Ray1936** · September-01-13, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

Nice story Ray. I can see you down there by the river on a steamy summer night, like we've had lately, with an occasional blast of a ship's horn. You probably got offered a nip by the fishermen too, abstaining of course.

Yup, but I'd not swear it for my old-timer partners!

**preserve** · September-02-13, 07:36 AM

Favorite spot for "making out" was at the foot of W. Grand Blvd & Jefferson,
wd called it going to Heppenstalls - that was the name on a nearby warehouse.
Course we were never there at 3AM!

**mikefmich** · September-02-13, 11:24 PM

Nice story Ray. Love to hear you spin a few more.

**Honky Tonk** · September-03-13, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by preserve

Favorite spot for "making out" was at the foot of W. Grand Blvd & Jefferson,
wd called it going to Heppenstalls - that was the name on a nearby warehouse.
Course we were never there at 3AM!

Great view of the submarine races.