Caption: Looking west on the old Conrail Line (as it was at the time)in downtown Essex. The beautiful preserved station deserves the view from the other side, but I elected to offer up this image as it shows the track and a couple of Conrail units (CR 7435 & 7430)at rest. The station was built in 1887 by Michigan Central, and has been preserved @1994 by the Heritage Essex group. Last passenger train ran thru here in 1979, last freight in late 2011 and tracks pulled up 2012. While trying to research a bit of info on the station, it was remarkable to read about an explosion in 1907 right by the structure, in which a rail car containing leaking nitro ignited dynamite and the explosion was so severe it even knocked out some windows in Detroit. Pieces of rail were driven up and thru buildings in town. A hole was blasted by the explosion 20 feet deep. Yet the station, built so strong its stone walls effectively saved it, despite severe damage to the upper floor. This is a testament to how well buildings were once constructed. Heck,these days I often worry about sneezing in my own house!!! Essex station is now a historical site, has a gift shop, open on a limited bases and I understand a rail car collection is under way at the property. Anyone have info?