On Dec. 10, CSX Transportation crews arrived on the site with the intent to raze the roundhouse due to the presence of asbestos. Members of the local community and railroad history enthusiasts spoke out, though, and CSX switched its focus from demolition to environmental abatement.
Although some have raised concerns that historic elements of the roundhouse might be destroyed during the abatement process, society treasurer Steven M. Harvey tells Trains that the historical society is working with CSX to ensure that as much of the building remains intact as possible.
“CSX is doing what they need to in order to be a good corporate citizen and make things easier for [the society]” Harvey says, “They are doing their best on abatement until we take over.”
The roundhouse was built in 1920, three years after the Port Huron & Detroit railroad incorporated, and was expanded from four stalls to six in 1926 after a fire damaged the building. The 19-mile railroad was sold to Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1984, which merged into CSX Transportation in 1987.
Harvey says that CSX and the society will set a date to officially transfer ownership of the roundhouse in the course of meetings scheduled in early January 2019, and says it is one of several properties in the area that the society hopes to acquire. Though he could not offer details, he said that society members intend to transform the properties into a larger project celebrating Port Huron’s extensive railroad history.
