Location: Rougemere Yard, MI

Rougemere Yard was a Pere Marquette flat switching yard in southeast Dearborn near the Ford Rouge complex. This was the main PM originating yard in the Detroit terminal. The yard was fairly short, from Eagle Avenue on the north to Dix Avenue on the south and about 14 tracks wide. At the north end of the yard, "Rouge Telegraph" tower discharged northbound trains with the appropriate orders. The yard still exists in 2021 under CSX ownership and the yard office is in a 3-story tower at Dix Avenue.

Photo info: Top, the CSX Rougemere Yardmasters tower and associated yard offices. 2002. [Dale Berry]  2nd photo, an overhead view of Rougemere Yard, looking north (west) from the south end. The tower at the bottom right is the former Tunnel Yard tower, most recently occupied by CP Rail but now unused. [Dale Berry]. 3rd photo a 1963 derailment in Rougemere Yard, with EMD switchers uprighted. [DFP-1963-0827]

Notes

Location: 42^o18.251'N / 83^o08.985'W. 

Freight interchange is made through the use of "pullers" to and from the yard from other railroad yards. [PM45]

The yard has a diesel engine house and is equipped with freight car repair and car cleaning facilities. An 200-ton Industrial-Brownhoist wrecking derrick is stationed here. [PM45]

Time Line

1905. The PM builds a new ice house at Rougemere. [PMAR-1905]

1920. Rougemere yard had  catenary installed for much of the length of the yard for interchange with the DT&I. This catenary covered at least 6 tracks according to a period photo. The catenary was likely never used as the DT&I abandoned this project.

1963. Troubles plague C&O officials as they sought to untangle four locomotives that collided in Rougemere yards opposite the Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn. One engine, pulling two others and 38 cars, plowed into a standing locomotive that also had a string of freight cars behind it. All four locomotives and 300 feet of track were turn up. No one was injured. [DFP-1963-0827]