Location: Augusta, MI - Coal Chute

This was the Michigan Central's major coal fueling facility, located approximately mid way on its double track main line between Detroit and Chicago.  Locomotives on MCRR's high speed passenger trains picked up water for steam at several high speed track pans, and then stopped for coal at Augusta.  The train would usually stay on the main line, pull under the tower, and then spill coal into the tender through chutes. Though this doesn't show them, this bunker likely had chutes for both main tracks as well as side tracks on either side.

Photo info: Top, the abandoned facility in 1983.  [Charlie Whipp], 2nd photo, the same location in 2002. Note the road is now single track and the siding has been removed.  [Dale Berry]

Notes

The Michigan Central had a above-track coal chute at Augusta, MI in Kalamazoo County. The chute still stands today (2019) but has not been used since the 1950's. [ETT-1947]

Time Line

1923. July. The Michigan Central railroad plans to spend about $150,000 in the construction of a coaling and watering station to be located one mile west of Augusta, between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The latest machinery devices will be installed making it possible for four trains to take coal and water at the same time, it was announced. [LSJ-1923-0728]