Could Amtrack Train Service Return To The Michigan Central Station?
Amtrack Train Service might return to the newly renovated Michigan Central Station in Detroit.
Questions arose last year during the Michigan Central Station in Corktown. Ford Motor Company hinted that Amtrak service might return after so many years.
The possibility of resuming Amtrak service somewhere on the campus is still being considered.
Detroit To Toronto By Train Possible?
A story in Crain’s Detroit Business reports that the Michigan Department of Transportation is meeting with consultants this week to discuss future developments for Amtrak’s routes in Michigan as part of a broader effort to explore bringing passenger rail back to Michigan Central Station and connecting Detroit to Toronto by train.
Crain’s reports: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co. who delivered a nearly $1 billion restoration of the Michigan Central Station building and campus, is working on returning passenger rail to the train station.
“We have an idea that maybe you can get on a train in Detroit and go straight through to Toronto. There are some things to work out internationally; we’re all working on it.
When Did All The Trains Stop Running At Central Station?
Trains ran through the Michigan Central Station until it closed in 1988. Currently, Amtrak operates a small station in Detroit on Woodward and Baltimore Aven, near West Grand Blvd., that looks more like a typical station.
Ford bought the station in 2018 for $90 million from the Moroun family, which also owns the Ambassador Bridge. It’s expected to spend nearly $1 billion to develop it.
Michigan Central Station (MCS) In Detroit, Michigan
Construction began in response to the opening of the Detroit-Windsor rail tunnel in 1910 and increased passenger traffic. The station was formally dedicated on January 4, 1914
The station had a three-story depot, an office tower, and a waiting room with marble floors and high vaulted ceilings. The station also had a restaurant, lunch counter, barber shop, florist, and bathing facilities and was once the tallest train station in the world.
Detroit Autorama History
Did Bob Seger Play Autorama?
Yes, Bob Seger DID play Autorama! In the late ’60s and early 70’s Autorama started adding other exhibitions and attractions to Autorama. This included Soap Box Derbies, an MPC Model Car Contest, the Miss Autorama Contest, and live music. Bob Seger performed at several Autoramas. Detroit rock legends, Alice Cooper and Mitch Ryder, also performed live at Autorama. The Bob Seger System first played Autorama in 1968. The Amboy Dukes and The Rationals also played throughout the three-day event. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find any photos or recordings of the performances, but here’s early Bob… “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” was released in 1968.
Location, Location, Location
The first Detroit Autorama was held at The University of Detroit Memorial Building (today’s Calihan Hall) on January 31 and February 1, 1953, with only 40 cars. It was hosted by members of the Michigan Hot Rod Association (MHRA), which was made up of smaller clubs at the time such as The Motor City Modifieds, Bearing Burners, Spark Plugs, The Road Kings, Shifters, and Milwinders.
The Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum was home to Autorama from 1954 to 1960.
In 1961 , the 9th Annual Detroit Autorama was the first to be held at the new Cobo Hall (today’s Huntington Place). That year featured a new-record: 230 cars displayed in Cobo’s basement. The show started to gain national attention and attract car creators like George Barris (The Original Batmobile, The Monkee Mobile, etc. ), Darryl Starbird, Carl Casper, and “Big Daddy” Ed Roth. The 2024 Autorama features 5 generations of Gotham City vehicles including the original Batmobile.
Photo by 20th Century Fox/Courtesy of Getty ImagesAmerican actors Burt Ward (left), as Robin, and Adam West, as Batman, ride in the Batmobile in a still from the television series, ‘Batman,’ c. 1967. (Photo by 20th Century Fox/Courtesy of Getty Images)
