At some point decades ago, an old E&LS coach (presumed - exact lineage not known) was left in Turner to be used, reportedly, as a local schoolhouse. But today, the town of Turner consists of one house (originally built by the railroad to serve as a section foreman's residence), several outbuildings and an assortment of motor vehicles that might still run, but that is questionable. Oh, and of course, the original E&LS main line and stub track (closest to photographer) sits dormant amongst the tall grass, weeds and pines awaiting a fate that is unknown. According the E&LS train register in Channing, MI, the last extra "through" train departed Channing for Wells at 0830 on April 26, 1993. It wasn't a big train with engine 1221 (ex-Reserve Mining SD9), 3 loads - 8 empties - 487 tons. The register reveals this line wasn't used regularly and, in fact, it had been three months since the previous train on January 25, 1993 (it was a "whopper" with engine 1200 (ex-Reserve Mining SW8), 2 loads - 0 empties - 260 tons). Thanks to Google Earth images dating back to 2014, we know the former E&LS main between Ralph and Channing was still being used for car storage, and I mean, at least 200 cars and probably more! Those cars were long gone when I recorded this scene on July 22, 2017.
