Porter #1203 Huckleberry Railroad, Flint 1984

This authentic 1980s color photograph, captured in 1984, documents the U.S. Gypsum #1203 locomotive at the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, Michigan. The archival image features the 3ft gauge Porter diesel-electric switcher, notable for its industrial silver and blue livery with red and black “zebra” safety stripes on the nose. The engine is parked on the tracks directly outside a large, tan corrugated metal maintenance shed. This specific locomotive, originally built for industrial service by H.K. Porter, found a second life at the Huckleberry Railroad, a heritage line that began operations in 1976. The Huckleberry Railroad is still standing and active today as part of Genesee County Parks’ Crossroads Village, where it continues to operate narrow-gauge excursions for tourists and rail enthusiasts. This loco was sold in 2005 and is now on the Durango & Silverton Railroad. While the rolling stock and maintenance facilities have been meticulously maintained, this image serves as a factual record of the diverse industrial equipment preserved in Flint during the mid-eighties. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.