Railroad: Grand Rapids, Holland & Lake Michigan Railway

The Grand Rapids, Holland & Lake Michigan railway was an electric interurban line which extended from the Grand Rapids city limits to Holland, and from Holland to Macatawwa Park and to the Village of Saugatuck.

Two Lines (H&LM + SDF&LS) → Grand Rapids, Holland & Lake Michigan Electric Railway → Disposition

Acquired: Holland & Lake Michigan railroad + Saugatuck, Douglas & Lake Shore railway

Disposition:

Source: [MCR-1903]

Notes

Time Line

1902. SNAPSHOT. This line extends from the Grand Rapids city limits to Holland, and from Holland to Macatawa Park, about six miles, which is the main line. They also operated from Saugatuck Junction about three miles west of Holland, to the village of Saugatuck, about ten miles.

The main line has a double track, with the exception of two miles. There are whistle posts about 1,000 feet from all highway crossings and the company requires motormen to sound the highway crossing whistle at this point. The main line is 67 lb. steel rail, oak and cedar ties, all in good condition. Half interlockers at the different crossings of steam railroads are in good, serviceable condition. The company maintains freight and passenger stations, with agents at Grand Rapids, Jamestown, Forest Grove, Vriesland, Zeeland, Holland, Saugatuck and Macatawa. It also has closed waiting rooms and freight stations at Grandville, Jennison and State Road and maintains storm shelters closed on three sides only. 

Telephone wires extend over the entire system and into the city of Grand Rapids to the company's freight shed and waiting room. The telephone is used for train orders which are issued by the train dispatcher for train movements not provided for by time table.

The Saugatuck branch is 60 lb. steel rail with hemlock ties in fair condition. Service on this line seems satisfactory to the public and is used principally for transport of fruits and farm products.

The road consists of twelve 48-foot standard high speed interurban passenger coaches, one 45-foot combination passenger and baggage car, three 30 foot closed city passenger cars, five 14-bench open cars, four 48-foot combination baggage and express cars, and two electric locomotives, all of which with the exception of city cars and locomotives are equipped with the Magann storage air brake system. There are also sixteen freight cars and one double-ended rotary. The twelve interurban coaches are first-class and equipped with four 50-hore-power motors, straight air brake, heated by Smith hot water heater and equipped with signal lights, flags and sand boxes. They have smoking room, closet and water tank. Train service is extended into Grand Rapids city over the tracks of the Grand Rapids City Electric Railway. [MCR-1903]