Historic Charlton Park
The next CK&S Railfan Festival will be at Historic Charlton Park
Oct 29, 2013 by webmaster
A sign in the old Delton Depot
"Here is the photo from the Delton Depot where my grandfather,
David Newell Honeywell, worked as station agent and telegrapher."
Here is a reconstruction of the sign hanging in the old Delton
Depot from the old photo submitted by David H. Honeywell.
<- click on the thumbnail for a larger view.
Jul 24, 2010 by webmaster
Historical Marker Dedicated
A Historicl Marker and Plaque was unveiled at 1:30PM Saturday at the
2nd Annual 2010 Railfan Festival in the Barry Township Park on Orchard
Street. The 7-ton stone marker and bronze plaque were purchased with
money raised from the 2009 festival.
<- click on the thumbnail for a closeup view.
Jul 16, 2010 by webmaster
2014 CK&S Railfan Festival
The festival will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 2014 from 10:00AM until 3:00PM at Historic Charlton Park, Hastings, MI
Download the Flyer!
Attractions this year will include:
Guest Speakers, Train Music, Model Train Displays, Souvenirs, Train Vendors and much more!
Historic Charlton Park
2545 S. Charlton Park Rd. * Hastings, MI 49058
Phone: 269-945-3775
Fax: 269-945-0390
e-mail - sgraham@barrycounty.org
Attention Vendors: Download the Vendor Registration Form.
Oct 29, 2013 by webmaster
Found for our archives!!!
Hunter's and Fisherman's Guide - Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw Ry
May 21, 2013 by webmaster
Festival Souvenirs
• $20 - Festival T-Shirts, bright Yellow (S,M,L,XL,XXL)
• $15 - "A Pictorial Journey Along The CK&S Railroad" DVD
• $3 - Festival Buttons
Please contact Mike Madill at 269-623-6225 or:
cksrailroad@hotmail.com
to order. Shipping is extra. Checks & Money Orders only.
Jul 3, 2013 by CK&S Railfan Festival Committee
Lost & Found
FOUND: Photo of the Pavilion Depot in Pavilion Township (about five
miles south east of Kalamazoo), the southern terminus of the CK&S.
(Click the thumbnail for a larger image).
LOST: We are still searching for a photo of the Milo Depot for our
collection. (And a better quality photo of the Pavilion Depot too).
Jun 1, 2010 by webmaster
More CK&S History...
A History of the Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw Railroad
(in PDF format).
The above article was written by Florence Sergeant Lang in 1970 for the Barry County
Historical Society. She was the daughter of CK&S Superintendent Lewis Sergeant.
Click here for links to a map of Michigan Railroads, circa 1921,
and some articles from The Hastings Banner in 1909.
Mar 18, 2010 by webmaster
Donations Welcomed!
If you would like to make a donation to the CK&S Railfan Festival, please
make a check or money order payable to John Conor. Mail to 11321 Fair Lake Drive, Delton, MI 49046. In the memo section write "CK&S Railfan Festival". All donations will be used to erect historical markers along the old CK&S Route.
The CK&S Railfan Festival is sponsored by KMRHS (Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society). If you would like to know more about KMRHS, visit their website at
www.kmrhs.org or call (269) 343-8269. Thanks for your support and see you at this year’s festival.
May 23, 2013 by webmaster
CK&S Photos by pianoman4Jesus
I came across a posting linking to your CK&S website. Looks like you
got it on-line before the one I was trying to do some years ago. Bravo!
Gallery of my CK&S related photos:
http://www.panoramio.com/user/376459/tags/CKS
Feb 23, 2010 by webmaster
CK&S Memories...
I just looked at your website and was most impressed. My experience is
quite limited with the CK&S. I do have some memories though.
My one and only ride on the CK&S was in 1933 or 34. I was about 7 or 8
years old. My Dad took Mother and I to the Chicago Worlds Fair from Hastings.
I can remember, in the early morning hours, going past Long Lake and seeing the
fog lifting up out of the wetlands like little geysers. We went to the
Frank Buck pavillion (he was a famous safari type of guy in those days)
anyway, he had all kinds of animals on display. One was a tiny baby
elephant, not as tall as me. The little bugger stuck his trunk inside my
left pocket. Needless to say, I never forgot it. I wouldn't have that
memory if not for the CK&S.
After the tracks were torn up I hiked the road bed from Hastings to M-43 and
Herbert Road South of Delton. Well, most of the way. I got as far as Sager
Road crossing and there was mean looking bull glaring over the fence at me.
I took a detour. I got my hiking badge tho.
My mother went to school in Delton until the 10th grade. After that she commuted
from Cloverdale to Hastings on the CK&S where she finished high school. Rode to
Hastings on Monday Morning and back Friday night.
Sincerely yours,
Bud Texter
Dec 12, 2009
Class F-81 4-6-0 (CK&S No. 10, 12 & 13)
Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-0 |
Total Length (including tender) |
56' 9 1/8" |
Maximum Height |
14' 9 1/2" |
Maximum Width |
9' 2 1/2" |
Total locomotive and tender weight (loaded) |
338,700 lbs. |
Weight of locomotive only |
124,000 lbs. |
Boiler pressure (maximum) |
150 & 160 lb/sq in |
Maximum tractive force |
16,200 lbs & 17,300 lbs |
Diameter of driving wheels |
68" |
Diameter of bogie wheels |
33" |
BOILER |
Heating surface (firebox) |
137.30 sq ft |
Heating surface (small tubes) |
1592.8 sq ft |
Total heating surface |
1730.1 sq ft |
Firebox length |
96 3/16" |
Firebox width |
42 7/8" |
Grate area |
286 sq ft |
Small tubes |
245 x 2" D |
Large tubes |
- |
TENDER |
Coal capacity |
12 tons |
Water capacity |
5,100 gallons |
Weight (full) |
114,700 lbs. |
Wheel diameter |
33" |
Nov 15, 2009 by webmaster
2013 Festival Photos
Aug 10, 2013 by webmaster
2009 Memorial Service Photos
Photos courtesy of J-Ad Graphics, Hastings. Order prints from
Hastings Print Plus, 269-945-9105.
Aug 7, 2009 by webmaster
100th Anniversary Memorial Service
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at the Shultz crash
site at 3:00PM (on the Mark Hewitt Farm, 4317 Tillotson Lake Rd). Approximately
80 people attended to hear the prayer and benediction by Pastor Jeff Worden.
Jul 16, 2009 by webmaster
CK&S Trestles - Present Day
Jul 16, 2009 Photos by Mike Madill
CK&S Memories...
"My name is Jack Osgood and I reside in Tucson, Arizona, but I was born and grew
up in the little town of Woodland, Michigan. My Grandfather, Robert Grant Osgood
was the CK&S station agent in Woodland from before I was born in 1926 until it was
discontinued in 1937. I can remember waving goodbye to the last train to leave
Woodland in 1937. After that, My Grandfather was transfered to Delton as the station
agent there until he suffered a stroke in 1939 and was forced to retire but he got a
pension from the CK&S Railroad company.
I bought my first bicycle from Montgomery & Wards in Chicago and it was shipped in a
wooden crate to my Grandfather's depot in Woodland. During my growing up years in the
1930's in Woodland I was allowed to visit my Grandfather at the depot and play there
with my friends. Many times when the train came to Woodland before going on to Woodbury
my Grandfather would ride the train to Woodbury and back to deliver bills of lading and
other paper work to the Woodbury office. Sometimes if I was there at the right time he
would allow me to ride the train with him. Some times we rode in the big steam engine
and other times we rode in the caboose. I was the envy of all my boy friends because of
this.
I well remember Art Valentine who was the maintenance foreman on the Woodbury, Woodland
and Coats Grove sections. He and one or two of his crew would travel up and down the
line pumping a hand car loaded with their tools to perform the maintenance. When the
line was discontinued and removed from Woodbury to Delton the rails were removed and the
telegraph poles were cut down like trees. My Grandfather purchased all of telegraph poles
between Hastings & Woodland and hired me and a friend to walk the line the 11 or 12 miles
from Hastings to Woodland and count the number of poles that he had purchased.
I have many fine memories of my youth in Woodland and my association with the old Cow
Kick Suzie railroad. Good luck with your celebration. I read about it in the Hastings
Banner."
Cordially,
Jack Osgood, Tucson, AZ 85710
Jul 24, 2009
CK&S Memories...
"Hello Railfans.
I wanted to write you and thank you guys for all that you've done for
the CK&S. I first learned about it years ago when I was a kid. I can't
even say when.
I remember as a kid, playing around the elevators (both the ones on
the east side of town, which was still open when I was young, as I
remember going there to get a water bottle for my hamster, and on the
south). I remember playing on the tracks that were in the cement
there, but being a young lass, I never put two-and-two together. I
often regret not having the hindsight to document all the little bits
and pieces that were left at the time.
My father remembers the old depot in Woodland, which he thinks was
tore down in the mid-60's, after being used for grain storage at the
elevator.
I was at the memorial on Wednesday. It was very moving. I had
goosebumps and tears all at the same time.
I really regret that I won't be able to make it to the festival on
Saturday. I was really looking forward to it, and I really don't want
to miss out on the DVD/t-shirt. Is there any way I could order them
and have them mailed to me? I'd be more than happy to send a check for
the cost, plus a donation. I'd love to see a Historical Marker next
time I'm in Michigan! That would tickle me even more than CK&S Trail
in Cloverdale!"
Thanks for everything,
Kaysie Cox, Woodland, MI
Jul 16, 2009
CK&S Additional Stops
Jul 16, 2009 by webmaster
CK&S History
The CK&S Railroad ran from Kalamazoo, Michigan North-West to Woodbury, Michigan for
about 44 miles. It operated from about 1886 to 1942.
Click here for map of Michigan Railroads, circa 1921.
Click here to view some articles from The Hastings Banner,
July 21-28, 1909 (in PDF format).
Jul 1, 2009 by webmaster
Festival Contacts
Mike Madill 269-623-6225 cksrailroad@hotmail.com
John Conor 269-671-5011 jandeconor@tds.net
May 21, 2013 by webmaster
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