Railroad: The Bay De Noquet and Marquette Rail Road Company

Iron Mountain Railroad → Bay De Noquet and Marquette Railroad → M&O Railroad

Operated for: 13 years.

Acquired the IMRR: December 31, 1858

Became: Marquette & Ontonagon railroad in 1871.

Reference: [MRRC][DSS]

Notes

Originally 4' 10" gauge. Converted to allow interchange with the C&NW.

Time Line

1859.  The railroad is allowed to build to Lake Michigan off the end of the old Iron Mountain Rail Road. This segmernt was completed in 1862 resulting in a main line of 20 miles. In later years, the railroad established the Winthop Branch. [DSS]

1860. The BDN&M purchased two additional miles of railroad when the Cleveland Iron Co. agreed to sell its trackage between Jackson Mountain and the Cleveland Mine for $20,000. This counted towards the BDN&M mileage to receive the state's land grant. Three miles to go. [DSS]

1860. The BDN&M schedules five round trips between Marquette and Lake Superior mine, running time about 1 hour and 45 minutes for 18 miles. Trains grew to 20-25 cars. A passenger car was attached on every other trip. [DSS]