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MAY 17 ISSUE ANSWERS: This Baldwin engine was crossing the bridge on the way to Romeo about 1870. The Michigan Air Line Rail Road was begun in 1869 and went from Richmond, Michigan to Romeo and a little further west. It was only 20 miles in length. It connected with a second rail road near Richmond allowing its freight and passengers to travel south towards Detroit and north towards Port Huron. In 1879 the Grand Trunk and Western Rail Road operated this rail road which eventually connected Montreal to Chicago. This finally became the Canadian National or CN. The engine in the picture was retired about 1907 when it could not carry the heavy cargos from the Henry Ford Foundry on West Lafayette Street in Romeo. The Model T engine castings were too heavy. A stronger engine replaced it. The bridge in the photo is the same bridge that is crossed on the Macomb Orchard Trail today. The quote from The Romeo Observer of 1873 mentions the engine: “The locomotive Romeo has been thoroughly repaired and is now in complete running order. After receiving a few finishing touches from the painter it will be again ready for the road.” The locals called the engine “Romeo,” They also referred to the local horse drawn fire engine as “Romeo.” R. Beringer, Romeo Historical Society staff

MAY 17 ISSUE ANSWERS: This Baldwin engine was crossing the bridge on the way to Romeo about 1870. The Michigan Air Line Rail Road was begun in 1869 and went from Richmond, Michigan to Romeo and a little further west. It was only 20 miles in length. It connected with a second rail road near Richmond allowing its freight and passengers to travel south towards Detroit and north towards Port Huron. In 1879 the Grand Trunk and Western Rail Road operated this rail road which eventually connected Montreal to Chicago. This finally became the Canadian National or CN. The engine in the picture was retired about 1907 when it could not carry the heavy cargos from the Henry Ford Foundry on West Lafayette Street in Romeo. The Model T engine castings were too heavy. A stronger engine replaced it. The bridge in the photo is the same bridge that is crossed on the Macomb Orchard Trail today. The quote from The Romeo Observer of 1873 mentions the engine: “The locomotive Romeo has been thoroughly repaired and is now in complete running order. After receiving a few finishing touches from the painter it will be again ready for the road.” The locals called the engine “Romeo,” They also referred to the local horse drawn fire engine as “Romeo.” R. Beringer, Romeo Historical Society staff

Covering the villages of Armada and Romeo as well as the townships of Addison, Armada, Bruce, Oakland, Ray and Washington

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