Lake Superior & Ishpeming #64

LS&I #64 undergoing restoration in the Car Shop, August 2023. Bill Buhrmaster photo.

The Hicks Locomotive and Car Works of Chicago Heights, Illinois built this wooden coach for the Munising Railway as their #54 in May of 1910. The Munising Railway Company was a short line formed in 1895 and operated

two rail lines, one running from Princeton to Munising, and a second from Stillman to Cusino, all in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Munising Railway was later absorbed into what became the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad in 1923. At that time the car came under LS&I ownership and it was renumbered to #64. Passenger service ended on the LS&I in 1929, and #64 was retained but remained in storage for the majority of time. In 1964, it was sold to Marquette & Huron Mountain, a tourist railroad located at Marquette, Michigan. In 1985, it was purchased by Mid- Continent and moved to North Freedom with other equipment acquired from the now-defunct M&HM. #64 is presently in the Mid-Continent Car Shop being restored to its 1910 appearance.

Number 54 visible under number 64
The car’s original number, 54, was discovered during restoration work on the bulkhead wall above the door. Bill Buhrmaster photo.
Exterior view of LS&I #64 in Car Shop
#64 undergoing restoration in the Car Shop, spring 2016. Bill Buhrmaster photo.
Interior view of LS&I #64
#64 interior, 2016. Ric Genthe photo.
#64, December 1984. Bill Buhrmaster photo
#64, December 1984. Bill Buhrmaster photo
#64, December 1984. Bill Buhrmaster photo.
#64, December 1984. Bill Buhrmaster photo.
M&HM #64 (ex-LS&I #64) at Marquette, MI, 1966, MCRM collection
M&HM #64 (ex-LS&I #64) at Marquette, MI, 1966, MCRM collection
#64 at Marquette, MI, October 5, 1957. Bill Buhrmaster collection.
#64 at Marquette, MI, October 5, 1957. Bill Buhrmaster collection.