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Next 2010 Festival Planning Meeting
The next meeting is on Saturday, Jan 23rd at 3PM, location is
Legends Sports Pub 121 S. Grove St, Delton, 269-623-5288.
Public welcome - we are seeking more volunteers and CK&S railroad
enthusiasts.
Dec 28, 2009 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
Volunteers wanted for the 2010 Festival
We are seeking volunteers to be a part of the 2010 CK&S Railfan Festival
on Saturday, July 17th, 2010. If you would like join our team, please
get in touch with one of our Festival Contacts.
We are also looking for more pictures too!
Aug 13, 2009 by webmaster
2009 Festival Photos
Photos courtesy of J-Ad Graphics, Hastings. Order prints from
Hastings Print Plus, 269-945-9105.
Aug 7, 2009 by webmaster
A special thanks to...
These area businesses who supported the live remote from 98.5 WIN FM:
Katie & Christy's mid-Lakes Screen Printing, Partners in
Education (PIE), KELTECH, Dewey's Car Palace, Art & Dee's Kitchen and Bath,
Pro Services, Orangeville Days, IC Electric, Praireville Old Fashion Farm Days,
C & H Service, Legends Sports Pub and Delton Floral.
Aug 7, 2009 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
Replacement DVD's
Unfortunately, some of the DVDs sold at the festival were defective. If your
DVD does not work properly, please send an e-mail to:
and we will get you a replacement disk free.
Jul 27, 2009 by webmaster
Festival Souvenirs Still Available
• $10 - Festival T-Shirts, bright Yellow (S,M,L,XL)
• $12 - Festival T-Shirts, bright Yellow (XXL)
• $10 - "A Pictorial Journey Along The CK&S Railroad" DVD
• $3 - Festival Buttons
Please contact Mike Madill at 269-623-6225 or:
to order. Shipping is extra. Checks & Money Orders only.
Jul 27, 2009 by webmaster
CK&S Railfan Festival
The festival was held on Saturday, July 18th, 2009 from NOON to 5PM at the
Barry Township park in Delton, Michigan. Over 800 people attended.
Thanks to muscians Tim Tilbury, Mike Madill, and The Blue Water Rockers.
Thanks to our guest speakers Mike Hook, Mark Tomlonson, Chuck Monica, & Bud
Leonard.
Thanks to the Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society and the SW Michigan
Garden Railway for the operating displays.
Also thanks to L & S Service, Delton Rotary, Faith United Methodist Church,
Delton Library, Delton Fire Department, Michigan Audubon Society, Michigan
Railway Passengers Association, Deweys Car Palace and Partners in Education
(PIE) for their support.
Jul 20, 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
John Conor 269-671-5011
Larry Kroes 269-623-4500
Jul 1, 2009 by webmaster
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