Looking at images on historicaerials.com, I noticed that Botsford Yard in Kalamazoo was upgraded between 1965 and 1972. At the west end of the yard a lead running around the south side of the yard was added (coming off track 18 near the roundhouse) and a carport-style roof was added over the lead to the turntable (not visible in these images). At the east end of the yard, a little fill was put in the river and the yard tracks from track 8 or so upward were extended. I noticed long ago that the yard tracks from 8 on up came off the ladder in pairs, allowing the ladder to be at a steeper angle and the yard tracks to be a little longer. It looks like the full length of those yard tracks were resurfaced. Anyone know anything more to the story on this? I imagine it was related to the relatively new GM plant and/or moving traffic over from the former PRR Mosel Yard...
1965
1972