Byron Babbish was born in Detroit in 1953 at what was then called Women's Hospital (now Hutzel Hospital), located about a mile from the Dequindre Line. He has spent his entire life in the Detroit area. His interest in Detroit's history grew from his interest in Detroit's railroads. A retired Chrysler attorney, this is the 43rd book that he has written or edited, most of which are on railroads. His tens of thousands of railroad photographs taken in Detroit and Michigan from 1975 to present form the basis for the creation of The Great Lakes Railway Historical Collection. Photographs from other photographers, maps, books and model railroad equipment comprise the rest of the contents of the Collection, of which the author is the curator.