Prior to contract with the state of Michigan and up until 1991, Tuscola & Saginaw Bay operated in the thumb of Michigan. It operated this line primarily with Alcos and was somewhat successful. However, the former Ann Arbor line was much more lucrative for business, and with the Alcos being retired, TSBY elected to sell off its trackage in the thumb to the Huron & Eastern Railway. Operations were different than on the Ann Arbor line, but interesting, such as being refueled by local dealers trackside, such as in the photo as former Detroit & Mackinac RS-2 466 is refueled before returning to work. This line is still operated and is still a solid source of grain, including interchange with TSBY purchaser Great Lakes Central in Durand with weekly wheat cars for mills in the southern portion of the state. 35mm slide from my collection, photo by Jack Smith.
