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DISCOVER MICHIGAN’S INTERURBAN RAILWAY MUSEUM

Explore Lost Railway Museum
Imagine the time before paved streets, cars and buses. Village streets bustling with activity and people in the early 1900’s of Grass Lake. The electric Interurban railway system is the primary mode of public transportation. More than six railways intersected Jackson County and delivered visitors to and from Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek and Lansing. Now, get ready to see what that time was like at Lost Railway Museum. Call the Museum at (517) 522-9500 to schedule a tour today.
In May of 2017, Car #47 was the first to be set in place in the museum for opening day on July 1, 2017. At the time the restoration was underway and had largely continued with the placement of seats, lights and the numbers on the car. In 2022 the back of the car received the finishing touches along with the electrical mast (at the top) where the car picked up electricity from the overhead wires. In May of 2017, Car #47 was the first to be set in place in the museum for opening day on July 1, 2017. At the time the restoration was underway and had largely continued with the placement of seats, lights and the numbers on the car. In 2022 the back of the car received the finishing touches along with the electrical mast (at the top) where the car picked up electricity from the overhead wires. Restoration Completed
The model train layout is a delight for young and old alike with a recreation of the North side of Michigan Avenue as it was from 1900 to 1910. Complete with a Michigan Central Railroad line behind the buildings that were in place at the time, with a replica of Car #47 as it runs back and forth through the downtown area of Grass Lake. The model train layout is a delight for young and old alike with a recreation of the North side of Michigan Avenue as it was from 1900 to 1910. Complete with a Michigan Central Railroad line behind the buildings that were in place at the time, with a replica of Car #47 as it runs back and forth through the downtown area of Grass Lake. Model Layout
This is a shot of the back part of Car #29 as restoration continues, while the front of the car currently is occupied by the virtualy reality "Boland Express' ride. This is a shot of the back part of Car #29 as restoration continues, while the front of the car currently is occupied by the virtualy reality "Boland Express' ride. Restoration Continues
Move in day - On May 27, 2017, volunteers were on hand to experience the moving in of Car #47, to place the first car of its kind on the tracks inside the building. This picture shows the museum as it existed with the displays in place and Car #47 with some completed work in time for the preview opening on June 10, 2017. On September 30, 2017, Car #29 finally took its rightfull place in the museum to complete the collection. Move in day - On May 27, 2017, volunteers were on hand to experience the moving in of Car #47, to place the first car of its kind on the tracks inside the building. This picture shows the museum as it existed with the displays in place and Car #47 with some completed work in time for the preview opening on June 10, 2017. On September 30, 2017, Car #29 finally took its rightfull place in the museum to complete the collection. The Museum Completed
The museum acquired these wheels from the caboose of the train featured in the Disney movie Polar Express. The old steel axle and sleeve style was too expensive, so they were looking for a place where the wheels, remaining stationary, could be important and interesting as well. The museum acquired these wheels from the caboose of the train featured in the Disney movie Polar Express. The old steel axle and sleeve style was too expensive, so they were looking for a place where the wheels, remaining stationary, could be important and interesting as well. Train Wheels

5000 Volt Motor

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Description

On loan from the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

 

One of only 4 prototype motors built by Westinghouse, this motor has resided at the Henry Ford Museum in its storage shed for more than 100 years. While nobody knows what happened to the other 3 motors, this one comes to us in a partnership with the Henry Ford to feature it in a place designated just for trolley and interurban systems. We are grateful to the Henry Ford for providing us the opportunity to present the motor with an operating model of the wheel set (trucks), so that visitors can see how the motors were actually installed in the trolley and interurban trucks.

 

Initially a system that provided electrical power to the rails that would ultimately allow for spreading out power stations to nearly 40 miles, compared to the standard 7 to 8 miles. Unfortunately, the motor never really caught on until the 1920’s era where interurban systems were beginning to fade away as the automobile became a popular mode of transportation.

Specifications

  • Loan of: the Henry Ford Museum

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