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#140008 02/21/05 06:02 PM
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Pooh-Bah
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In reading a history of East Lansing, I learned a new term. A wye is a triangular-shaped track used to turn around a train or streetcar. There was a streetcar wye at the intersection of Ann Street, Albert Avenue and MAC Avenue.

Bonus points for whoever knows who MAC was.



#140009 02/21/05 06:18 PM
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would that be Macadam? the road guy?



formerly known as etaoin...
#140010 02/21/05 06:22 PM
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W
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Don't know about MAC, but wye is what Mr. Fudd ordered with pastwami and cheese.


#140011 02/21/05 06:42 PM
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Here's a good illustration, she said after heavy sighs over maps of the Wye River:
http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/~Heritage/streetcars/Images/Wye.jpg
I had wondered whether they named it after the letter, but questioned it since the top would have to have been closed.

Uh...was Mac whom they named Mackinac Island after?


#140012 02/21/05 08:05 PM
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"letter 'y'"

Actually, I think you got it, Jackie: from your map, I'd say the three diverging tracks were the tail track and the two branches. The main line, which "closes the 'y'" is not part of the wye. My guess.


#140013 02/21/05 11:38 PM
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Sounds right, insel. lol at pastwami, btww!

Since MAC is capitalised, my guess is it must be an initialism... Michigan and...?


#140014 02/22/05 12:34 AM
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Oh heck, that's easy for someone who knows about Michigan Agricultural College, Moo Ewe. Isn't there a smokestack still there with MAC painted on it?



TEd
#140015 02/22/05 01:48 AM
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We have WInner!

"MAC" does indeed stand for "Michigan Agricultural College," the original name of MSU. After that, it became Michigan State College, and then Michigan State University. There are still power plant stacks bearing the designations "MAC" and "MSC" on them.


#140016 02/22/05 09:30 AM
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In reply to:

Bonus points for whoever knows who MAC was.


Ah, Sparteye, you little devil, you! You fed us a red herring with the use of who rather than what in your challenge!

Not that what would have helped me at all...


#140017 02/22/05 11:29 AM
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> who rather than what

thank you, WW, I feel better now.



formerly known as etaoin...
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