(Michigan City, IN) - A landmark in Michigan City has been taken down.

The century old coaling tower on the railroad tracks along U.S. 12 on the city’s east side was demolished earlier this week.

The long abandoned structure was no longer considered safe especially for crew members and passengers on trains passing underneath it.

Councilman Greg Coulter offered some parting remarks during this week’s city council meeting.

“It’s been a fun little thing for me to drive past on my way to work everyday.  A really cool image of Michigan City but definitely something that needed to go to make room for something new,” he said.

Trains used to stop at the tower to fill up with coal, which was used then to heat water until it produced the steam required to power the engines.

It had been well over a half century since the tower was used after steam engines in trains gave way to engines burning diesel fuel.