The Abandoned Railroad Coal Loader, Lansing

This old abandoned coal loader still stands over the Grand Trunk Railroad, on the outskirts of Crego Park, off N. Aurelius Road in Lansing.

It was built in 1925 by the Ogle Construction Company, and was large enough to fill four locomotives with coal on four separate tracks, two main and one siding on each end.

There was a fifth track that was used to transfer coal from railroad cars to the above storage facility.

This particular unit was built sturdier than most other Michigan coal loaders, made of hundreds of thousands of tons of concrete and steel.....so much so, that it was easier to leave it standing and abandoned, rather than the tedious task of demolishing. Besides, the foundation is buried over 20 feet underground.

When the loader ceased operations in the 1950s, all ladders and stairways were removed to discourage trespassers and curiosity-seekers.

Two tracks remain, still used by the railroad, but they now simply pass through underneath the inoperable loader.

You can easily see the old coal loader as you cross over the railroad bridge on N. Aurelius Road, between E. Mt. Hope and I-496.