The Definitive History of the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway Inc. 1977-2006
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This article is a dynamically growing, foundational piece of content focused on providing historical accuracy with details. I'm not a professional historian, just a railroad enthusiast. If you can contribute to the accuracy and growth of this content, or have relevant documents, images, or knowledge of the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway, please Contact Me. I don't always get things right, but I want to.
- Last Updated: August 29, 2026
- This article will update when progress is made.
Introduction
It has been nearly two decades now since the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway was sold. The TSBY affectionately referred as “Tisbee”, has a notable following and its legacy is being preserved by Railfans and Model Railroaders like myself. Over the years as technology has advanced, so has our abilities to document, discuses and share it’s history. Here are just some of the many ways we are remembering the Tisbee…
Railfan Following
Online Communities: A strong following exists in online communities and historical forums. Sites like MichiganRailroads.com and various Facebook groups dedicated to Michigan rail history. Railfans actively share historical photos, maps, and discussions on such sites.
Historical Documentation: Railfans and historians have compiled detailed timelines, equipment rosters, and articles documenting the railway’s history. Multimodalways.com provides archives and official maps that preserve operational details of the line. I relied them, my personal accounts and other online archives for this article.
Historical Preservation Efforts
Clare Union Depot Museum: A prominent example of preservation is the Clare Union Depot. Just before the 2006 sale to Federated Railways, the TSBY sold the abandoned depot to the city of Clare. This historic building has been restored and now houses a railroading museum.
Artifacts and Equipment: Most TSBY locomotives were absorbed into the Great Lakes Central Railroad fleet and are still running in 2025. Other equipment from that era may be found in various locations in Michigan abandon. Preservation efforts often focus on documenting the fate of specific locomotives and freight cars. Most of the surviving Michigan Northern equipment that TSBY absorbed ended up in Cadillac.
MDOT Documentation: The State of Michigan, as the owner of much of the trackage operated by TSBY, has official documentation and maps. They are used by researchers and historians to understand the railroads evolution.
Museum Collaboration: Organizations like the Saginaw Railway Museum, collaborate with other historical groups. Request for lending artifacts for events at Genesee County’s Crossroad Village, indicate an active regional interest in rail preservation.
Articles and Publications
Several resources have documented the history and operations of the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway. Some notable articles within specialist rail publications and online historical include;
Progressive Railroading: This industry magazine published news articles related to the company, including a report in May 2006 on the sale to Federated Railways and the subsequent renaming to the Great Lakes Central Railroad.
Trains Magazine: As a leading publication in the rail industry, Trains Magazine has likely featured articles or news snippets over the years covering TSBY operations, expansion, and eventual sale.
Railfan & Railroad Magazine: Another key industry publication that has covered short-line railroad operations in the US. This likely included TSBY in its news sections or feature articles during its operating years.
Railroads Across North America: An Illustrated History: This book contains details on various railroads, and is a source of some of the historical and employee information, such as the mention of Renee Holbrook.
MichiganRailroads.com: This website is a rich online resource for Michigan rail history. It hosts numerous articles, maps, and historical timelines dedicated to the TSBY and the other short lines operating in Michigan.
Multimodalways Archives: This website hosts a PDF archive of operational information and maps, providing detailed information for researchers and enthusiasts.
North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA): An article about the TSBY operations was republished on the NARCOA website. The article provides an in-depth look at the company in its later years.
The Double A: A multi-part article by Rob Adams titled “Boat Landing: A Look Back” detailed aspects of the Ann Arbor Railroad history which the TSBY later operated. This four part article ran in the fall 1994, winter 1995, spring-summer 1995 and winter 1996.
Video Content
I have not been able to find high-quality, professionally produced documentaries specifically dedicated solely to the TSBY.
YouTube: I have found some older videos of TSBY trains sometimes including historic footage or commentary on the from the era.
Railfan Collectibles/Videos: I have found some specialized companies that have produced railfan videos including brief footage of the TSBY. The videos general were on the larger railroads TSBY interchanged with in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Final Thoughts
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