Re: Rouge Plant ??

Posted by Craig VandenBerg on April 01, 1998 at 20:16:25

In Reply to: Rouge Plant ??
posted by Tim Wildey on April 01, 1998 at 19:43:38

: Hello,
:When reading the history on Henry's, Model A Ford frequently the massive Rouge Plant is mentioned. The plant covered over 1,096 acres west of Detriot on the River Rouge.On site were blast furnaces, coke ovens, machine shops, glass furnaces, foundry, paper mill, steel mill, body plant, locomotive repair shop and power plants.I wish the clock could be turned back so I could stroll inside the plant.Does anyone know if any signs of the old plant still exist ?? What is on the site today ?
: JustWoundered,
: Tim Wildey
Hi Tim
The Ford Rouge plant is very much alive in Dearborn Michigan.They still make steel there and get the ore in by boats which can navigate the Rouge River all the way to the plant during the navigation season.As far as I know the power plants still operate but I don`t think the loco shop still serves that purpose as Ford operates their own diesels within the plant grounds and maintain a two stall engine house.The plant is located across the street from the CSXT (C&O) Rougemere yard and I would see it almost every day when I worked the Grand Rapids - Detroit trains.I went on a tour thru the steel mill and parts of the plant when I was a kid during spring break.Very impressive.I would suggest contacting Ford to see if they still operate tours there.If you go, spend some time at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Both are worth the time and are adjacent to each other.
Craig

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