The DepotCast

Mike, Mack, and Mary spend some time today discussing Spier and Rohns, the Architectural Fathers of Durand Union Station, and going into detail on the many siblings that were build around the same time around Michigan.

Mike and Mackenzie (live from her car) quickly break down the history of the rail in Sault Ste. Marie. We had to do this quickly because she only had half an hour to record. This sounds like a topic we'll come back to, but enjoy the history of the Soo Line, Wisconsin Central, Canadian Pacific, and Canadian National!

Mackenzie went back up north to school, so Mike shares a HISTORY MYSTERY he and Curtis recently solved for a gentleman. Along the way, we all learned a bunch about West Olive, the Michigan Central Railroad, and the Pere Marquette!

Mike and Mack interview DUSI President Mike Rexin on his background, how Norma tricked him into working here, and what he's learned in 2020. Our Mike forgot to turn his own microphone on for 28 minutes, because he is a fool.

Mike, Mackenzie, and Mary reminisce over the year that was in 2020, what we learned, and what that means for us and Durand Union Station in 2021.

Mike and Mackenzie read a couple of train-related children's books for Christmas! They are "The Trains of Christmas" by Rick and Michael Roll, and "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. Merry Christmas!

Mike and Mackenzie dive into the Library collection to pull some stories about living on the rails by a collection of hobos, including Steam Train Maury. 

Mackenzie decides to get in on the "reading passages of a book on the podcast" fun with some narratives directly from the 2005 Anthology "Depot Dreams!" Mike largely goes on some weird tangents.

This expansion to Episode 35 is the 2016 Panel Discussion held at the Depot during Railroad Days. It features four woman railroaders: Jessica Hensley, Pat Post, Judy Cunningham, and Sue Hatherill. Each one tells their own story of how they got their start on the railroad and what their unique roles were. Ms. Post has since left us, so we are particularly glad we were able to get her story on tape.

Mackenzie, Mary, and Mike discuss a recent virtual tour we gave to 4th grade Girl Scouts and the topic of how women work on the railroad.