On the Norfolk Southern Detroit District, auto parts traffic is the mainstay. However local freights and several manifest freights are interspersed throughout the day. There are several auto parts trains that originate in the Detroit area that provide relatively reliable times through Milan. 121 and 171 originate in Detroit, and can usually be found passing Milan in the mid-day (All eastbound trains end in even numbers, all Westbound trains end in odd numbers), 181 is a dedicated auto parts train that can be found passing through Milan between 10 at night and 1 AM. The very last pair of trains running with roadrailer equipment on the NS system can be seen at Milan, running as trains 264 and 255. There is one local based out of the yard at Milan that runs 6 days a week Monday-Saturday under the symbol B70. This local works Milan-Oakwood yard in Detroit and return. The local goes on duty at 8 AM, and generally returns to Milan around 3 PM.  Adding some variety to the line are several run through Canadian Pacific trains. Since 2008, CP has utilized the Detroit District from Detroit Michigan to Butler Indiana for trains running from Canada to Midwest points. There are approximately 6-8 CP run through trains running every day, and they generally run as mixed manifest freights with symbols 234/235, 240/241, and 242/243. CP can also run a pair of ethanol trains with symbols 550/551 or 608/609.

 

The Ann Arbor railroad is generally a nocturnal railroad, however customer needs and interchange times can vary. The Ann Arbor dispatches a road train 6 days a week up the length of the line and return, generally Monday-Sunday. The train generally arrives at Milan during the late night after 10 PM and has about an hour of work switching the interchange at Milan before continuing north. Depending on the timeliness of their interchange partner Great Lakes Central Railroad, they can be back south through Milan between 3-5 hours later. The Ann Arbor also runs dedicated grain extras as needed. Grain trains can run any time of day, any day of the week.

 

Points of Interest:

 

The interlocking at Milan is guarded by a diverse group of signals. On the NS side, the EB home signal at Milan is a modern cantilever 3 color light style of signal. The WB home signal is a pair of modern 3 light signals. On the Ann Arbor side, both the Northbound and southbound home signals are vintage Union Switch and Signal Co Searchlight type signals. The home signal off of the connector between the AA yard and the NS main is a vintage Norfolk and Western traffic light style signal.

 

A popular photographic spot on the NS Detroit District is Control Point West Milan. West Milan is a vintage NW style Traffic light signal, and is where the Detroit district goes from double to single track. It is a rural setting, and the area around West Milan offers a chance for some panoramic photographs. To access West Milan from the Diamond, head south on Wabash road to Sherman road and turn right to head west. Follow Sherman road to Platt road and turn left to head south. Follow Platt to Hickory road and turn right to head west. Stay on hickory road until you reach a grade crossing.

 

It is possible to watch NS local B70 and the Ann Arbor road train switch in the yard from public property. B70 generally works in the Ann Arbor yard for about an hour to two hours before heading off to Detroit. When they return in the afternoon, they switch Georgia Pacific Paper on the east side of town, and then spend about a half hour yarding their train for the night. On days when the Ann Arbor Railroad Has interchange for Milan, they will spend about a half hour to an hour switching cars in the yard before heading north. Recently this interchange has included a large amount of autorack cars. When there is enough interchange, the Ann Arbor road train will have to make several pulls across Wabash Street, giving an up close view of the action.

 

Food and Restrooms:

 

The city of Milan offers several options for eating while fanning for extended periods of time. Towards the Highway there are several fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds, Arby’s, and Taco Bell. In downtown Milan there is a Marcos Pizza, and several sit down restaurants serving food from barbeque to Chinese.

 

Scanner Frequencies:

 

Ann Arbor Railroad Road: 161.49000

Norfolk Southern Detroit District Road: 160.3800

Dispatcher to train: 161.47500