Railroad: Arcadia & Betsey River Railroad Company

The Arcadia & Betsey River railroad was constructed in 1884 and over eight years built from Arcadia to Henry (21 miles) in Manistee County. It was expanded to Copemish. It was abandoned in 1936.

A&BR Train Company → Arcadia & Betsey River Railroad → Abandoned

Built: 1883

Operated for 53 years.

Abandoned: 1936

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

The Arcadia & Betsey River Railway Company acquired 20 miles of road from the Arcadia & Betsey River Train Railway Company in 1895 in Manistee County. The standard gauge line was principally used for transportation of forest products and logging camp supplies. Operated for 53 years, the line was abandoned in 1936.

The Board of Directors of this line were all located in Arcadia, MI. [MCR-1903] The general office was in Arcadia.

Photo Info: Arcadia and Betsy River Engine 1 with a passenger train poses for a photo at Mill Yard in 1895. [Stoner collection, UMB]

Time Line

1896. December 12. Line is opened 21 miles from Arcadia to Copemish. and 1.5 miles of branches to timber land. The railroad crosses the PM at Henry and M&NE at Copemish. At Henry, there is a National Switch and Signal (Easton, PA) interlocking plant. There are 10 stations along the line.[MCR-1903]

1900. Passenger train SNAPSHOT: The railroad ran two round trip passenger trains daily except Sunday between Arcadia and Copemish (21 miles). Trains left Arcadia at 8:00 am and 2:30 pm, turning at Copemish. Trains interchanged with the PM and M&NE at Arcadia and the AARR at Copemish.

1902. SNAPSHOT. The railroad employs 26 people, including 4 station agents, 2 enginemen and 2 firemen, 1 conductor and one other trainmen. 10 section foremen and trackmen (1 section only). A mixed train is provided for the accommodation of the public. Two locomotives of more than 30 tons, 1 express and baggage car, 1 box car and 40 platform cars. The passenger car is heated with a Baker heater. Top five types of freight carried: Logs (59%), Lumber (19%). Wood (10%), Fruits and vegetables (3%) and potatoes (3%). American Express Co. at depots. [MCR-1903]

1903. The A&BR railway extended 21 miles from Arcadia to Copemish. They also had 1.5 miles of branch lines. [MCR-1904-19] It was controlled via a company-owned telephone line.

1936. The A&BR railroad, perhaps the shortest road in Michigan and butt of many an anecdote during its declining years, will pass into history this spring when the rails will be ripped up and the locomotives and other equipment sold. The railroad runs from Arcadia to Henry and comprises 17 miles of straight track and two miles of siding. This will yield about 2,000 tons of steel rails, some of which will be suitable for relaying of lines of light traffic. There are two locomotives to be sold. [FEN-1936-0329]

1936.  The interstate commerce commission authorized the A&BR railroad company today to abandon its entire line in Manistee county, Michigan. The line extends 17.3 miles from Arcadia to Henry. [BCE-1936-1231]